Our Equine Therapists
Our current equine therapists are both STRIDE owned and volunteers. In order to expand our program offerings, STRIDE is always seeking suitable horses who can be dedicated to the program on a full time basis.
Therapeutic riding is one of the most demanding jobs any horse will ever be asked to do. Therefore, therapy horses have to be physically and mentally sound, gentle, people-oriented, and they absolutely must have good ground manners.
Most horses are happiest when they have a job to do, and we find that aging horses are particularly well-suited to therapy work. Horses that lack the stamina necessary for long trail rides or vigorous horse sports, but that still possess a desire to work and eagerness to please, might make suitable therapy horses.
We encourage you to consider donating your healthy older horse to STRIDE. Please contact us if you would like our trainers to examine and test a horse you wish to donate. All donations to STRIDE are tax deductible to the extent allowable by law.
Keystone/Bandi
Keystone (Bandido/Bandi) was born in Montana in 2004. He arrived in Alaska at 6 years of age, settling into the herd at Victory Bible Camp in Glacierview, Alaska. He spent 10 years as a trail horse, providing countless hours of trail riding experiences to many riders. He is a very smart horse! He taught beginning riders “the ropes” and knows how to be a “pack horse”, carrying gear for people on trail trips.
In spring 2023, Keystone came to stay at STRIDE for a while, since his family is temporarily out of state. He has learned to listen to his rider and his leader at the same time! He can get a bit frustrated if he gets bored but tries his best to follow his rider’s wishes. He is happiest when working with his best friend, Sundance.
Sundance/Valiente
Sundance (or Valiente) was born in Montana in 2004, He came to Alaska at age 6 to join a herd of trail horses at the Victory Bible Camp. He is described as a dependable, honest horse who carried beginner riders for 10 years on the trails in Glacierview, Alaska. He has also worked as a lesson horse and as a “pack horse”, transporting gear on the trails. One time during a trail adventure, Sundance injured his left eye. It has healed up well though it no longer helps him see; he does not let this slow him down!
Sundance joined the STRIDE herd in spring 2023 and has become the leader. He is very affectionate, curious and loves to roll in the mud and take life easy. He is a Palomino, so mud splotches on his light coloring are very noticeable! We feel lucky to have him at STRIDE. He will carry riders, with his best friend, Keystone, until his family returns. We know that they miss their guys!
Cherokee
Cherokee is a Quarter Horse and Percheron cross and was born in 1995. He stands 17.1 hands and he is one of the tallest horses at STRIDE. Cherokee has been at STRIDE since 2017 and was previously a lesson horse at Sindorf Equestrian Center before his retirement. He is also the 2011 Alaska State Horseshow Long Stirrup Reserve Champion. Before being donated to STRIDE, Cherokee did a lot of jumping and dressage. He is sweet and lovable. He will let everyone know when it is feeding time by knocking on the door to the barn with his hoof. He is loved by participants and leaders alike.
Blueberry
Blueberry is a Curly Welsh Cross and was born in 1991. He stands 12.1 hands, making him the smallest horse at STRIDE and qualifying him as a pony. Blueberry has been at STRIDE since 2013. Blueberry loves children. He is a powerful pony and has a lot of lesson hours. He communicates very well with the horse leader too. When he was younger, he was a 4H pony and he was used to jump and for dressage. Blueberry responds well to his rider and will stop if he feels the rider is having any difficulties.
Coy
Coy is a Morgan horse and she is 14.2 hands. She was born in 2001 and has been at the Ridge since 2008. She is a sweet girl that loves to be brushed, scratched, and played with. She is initially shy, but with a few scratches or a good brushing, she warms right up.
Coy is sponsored at the Supreme Champion level by Devin Groseclose.
Cedar
Cedar is an unknown cross but we believe he has Arabian in him. He was born around 2004. We don’t have a lot of history since he is a rescue. He stands at 15 hands and he is the newest addition at STRIDE. He joined us in February 2024. He is fitting right in and is going to be an amazing therapy horse. He has a great personality and loves to greet everyone as they come to the barn.
Eli
Eli, short for Elijah, an Arabian gelding and is just under 13 hands tall. Eli was born around 1994, but we aren’t 100% sure when. He joined the STRIDE band in May 2022. He has a very engaging personality and loves attention. Before moving to his forever home in the Valley, he lived in Fairbanks and Anchorage. While living in Fairbanks, his ears were frostbitten; some people think he looks a bit like a teddy bear! Though they are shorter, they are still very effective horse ears! Eli lived in Anchorage at the Diamond H Ranch (now closed) and was employed as a lesson horse specializing in English riding styles. He loves to stretch out and run at great speed! This activity has earned him the nickname “Fancy Pants”. Everyone who visits the barn is captivated by Eli.
Magnum
Magnum is a Draft Horse cross and stands 14.1 hands tall. Magnum was born in 1998 and is rescue that has been with STRIDE since 2013. Magnum was a trail horse, and he has a lot of hunting experience. He is sure footed, patient, and steadfast. He is very attuned to his rider and responsive to his rider’s needs.
Magnum is sponsored at the Grand Champion Level by Mariah Johnson
Muley
Blue aka “Muley” is a white mule and stands 14.1 hands. Muley was born in 1990 and has been at The Ridge since 2013. He participates in STRIDE activities and has hunting experience. He likes children and loves attention, scratches, and brushing. He is very sweet, smart, and can be as stubborn as a mule.
Muley is sponsored at the Superior Champion Sponsor level by Tammy Conahan.
Max
Maximus (Max) is a mustang from the Stinking Water Herd Management Area around Burns, Oregon. The term is an Indian term from the river close by where salmon would spawn and die. He stands 17 hands tall. He has been with STRIDE since 2023.
Max was rounded up around age three and adopted by a University of Montana student who worked with him on groundwork, trailering, and lunging, though he was not started under saddle. After five years, she found a new owner who could begin his saddle training. Following 60 days of training, Maximus joined his current owner in Alaska. Despite a challenging first six months, they built a strong bond, exploring the state together and developing mutual trust.
Max is a strong, athletic, and curious horse who loves to move and enjoys swimming with his owner. He’s friendly and often approaches strangers to introduce himself.
Gone But Not Forgotten. Always in Our Hearts.
