Announcing Brennan Equine Welfare Fund's

2011 Grant Recipients

Thirteen exceptional equine rescue, rehabilitation, retirement, retraining and/or placement facilities across the USA have been awarded grants in 2011.

Grant recipients include: 

Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center, Longmont, CO

Days End Farm Horse Rescue, Inc., Woodbine, MD

Final Furlong, Inc., Ocala, FL

Friends of Ferdinand Indiana, Inc., Indianapolis, IN

Golden Carrot, Anza, CA

Heaven Can Wait, San Miguel, CA

Racer Placers. Inc., Jefferson, WI

Rainhill Equine Facility, Bowling Green, KY

ReRun, Inc., East Greenbush, NY

Speak Up for Horses, Inc., Falmouth, KY

ONE SUCCESS STORY

Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center, Inc., Carol Heiden and “Shane”

We were so happy to receive this letter from Sandy at the Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center and thought we'd share it for 2011's success story:

"I wanted to take a moment to share with you a little bit about my dear friend Shane. Shane is a beautiful 31-year old black Quarter Horse. He has been working at the Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center (CTRC) for 4 years as a therapeutic horse for riders with special needs. He also worked as a camp horse for our Integrated Special Needs Summer Camp.

At CTRC our horses are, clearly, the heart of our therapeutic program. They do not only provide the therapeutic movement that is critical to our riders' clinical progress, they provide the unconditional acceptance and bond with our riders that often becomes the motivating catalyst for every area of our riders' lives. Shane is no different. Over his four years of service Shane continually helped young riders with a vast array of special needs reach beyond the constraints of their special needs. He was exceptional - dependable, accepting, patient, calm - in his role as a therapy horse and he was well loved.

Everyone whose life has been touched by this wonderful horse - be it riders, volunteers or staff - has been moved by his beauty, hard work, unconditional acceptance and unlimited heart. In the Fall of 2010, it was determined that Shane needed to be retired. His heart was still very willing, but his age was catching up to him. It was a sad day at CTRC when Shane gave his last therapy ride. However, that day opened a new, and well deserved, chapter for Shane. That day marked Shane's retirement and his official move into CTRC's Retired Horse Sanctuary Program (RHS). And simply put, Shane has been living the "life of Reilly" in RHS. He enjoys hours of leisure in lush turnout with his wonderful friends - the other retired horses - with whom he is he is quite playful - tug of war with a feed pan is one of his favorite games. He receives the best care, including massages by the students of a local equine massage school and special treats and love from his Barn Buddy - that's me!

I had the honor of being Shane's Barn Buddy volunteer during his days of providing these noble therapy services and I am fortunate to continue being his Barn Buddy in his well-deserved retirement. Shane has a very gentle and loving spirit, he is quiet in nature. We cherish our time together; he even enjoys his grooming time as much as I do. His favorite part is having his eyes and forehead gently cleaned and as I finish grooming I give him a special hug and as my reward he lowers his head over my shoulder to give me a special hug. He is very happy being part of the CTRC herd and he knows he is cherished.

All of us at CTRC give our deepest THANKS to you and the Brennan Equine Welfare Fund for your support and for helping to ensure that Shane and his well deserving band of silly, wonderful retired therapy horses are able to live out their lives in a safe, comfortable and familiar environment, surrounded by individuals who are dedicated to their care and well being."

Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center, Inc.,

Carol Heiden and “Shane”

Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center, Inc.

11968 Mineral Road

Longmont, CO 80504

Phone: (303) 652-9131