Horses do have great memories but they live in the present and don’t dwell on the past, which gives them a much better chance at living life without the burdens that humans carry.

Horses also have strengths and weaknesses. It is best to match a horse with the purpose it will be used for. At Centaur Stride, that is a very difficult task. We need gentle horses with great dispositions that can be at ease with many different riders, all with very different abilities and conditions that make the challenge of the perfect horse even greater.

Our staff are continuously working with the horses to train, condition, and keep them “happy and healthy”, both physically and mentally. Since all situations cannot be predicted, If they have had a particularly challenging ride, they have to be “destressed” before they can be used again for another rider. When we have experienced qualified volunteers, they also help with that “schooling”. Our staff are trained to watch for any signs of horse behavior that may indicate stress, while also helping and teaching the rider to recognize what they are doing, and correct it to the best of their ability. Therapeutic riding also requires adapting all tack for best practice and safety to both horse and rider.

Our horses have a job, and it is so joyful to watch them engaging with the riders. I particularly love it when a new rider is trying to put a halter on the horse to bring them out to brush them and get them ready and if they are scared or uncertain, we tell the rider to just hold the halter in a correct position and the horse will just slide his muzzle in the halter. Or when a rider arrives and the horses whinny for attention. Those are definite signs of willful engagement. Our horses need to love it here, and we make sure they do.

Khloie Ayers adjusting helmet for Garrett Smith.

We take in horses on a 30-day trial, based on our needs to add to our herd. Hopefully they can acclimate to the new surroundings and give us a good indication of their true nature before we commit to purchasing or taking them as a donation. Sometimes even after the 30 day trial, we cannot yet determine their strengths and weaknesses. Some horses are just one person horses.

Our staff spend much of their time working with the horses to prepare them for riders. Excellent staff are as hard to find as excellent horses. We have had to “train our own”. All seven of our present part-time staff have been with us since their volunteer days, many as teens, three of them more than 20 years.

Khloie Ayers is our newest certified instructor. She started with lessons at our barn more than 10 years ago, then as a volunteer, then as a paid assistant to instructors and barn manager, and now, having just passed her CHA (Certified Horsemanship Association) certification, she is a full trained instructor (with 10 years of familiarity at our center with our horses and riders).

Khloie says, “Starting out at Centaur Stride I was a shy anxious kid who struggled to be bold and talk to new people. During my time at Centaur Stride, I have learned how to be confident and calm. This June I took the step up from barn assistant to instructor and have loved every part of it! I enjoy teaching and it’s always rewarding to see the joy on our riders’ faces.”

We are still recruiting for a Program Director. Please check out our website for career opportunities (three dots on heading) if interested. Lots of new things on the horizon, and such a rewarding place to work or volunteer.

Linktr.ee/centaurstride

Claudia Monroe is founder and president of Centaur Stride.