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Meet A Table for Three (or as he’s affectionately known around here, Trio) — our resident fashion icon, mash connoisseur, and proud Equine Ambassador at Serenity Oaks Equine Sanctuary. Trio is a 26 year old OTTB warhorse with over 72 starts on the track. He gave his all during his racing career, showing grit, determination, and heart every step of the way. After retiring from the track, Trio transitioned into a completely different role as an animal ambassador in the farm animals barn at the Detroit Zoo, where he spent his days alongside his best buddy, charming guests and quietly teaching people about the gentle power of horses. When the Zoo closed their barn animal exhibit, Trio came to Serenity Oaks to begin his next chapter in long-term sanctuary. And what a transformation it’s been. When Trio first arrived, he was shut down and hesitant to connect. He couldn’t tolerate a herd setting and often kept to himself. But with time, patience, and lots of love, Trio has bloomed. Today, he is an all-star herd member, the undisputed leader of the greeting committee, and a total softie who runs to say hello to visitors (especially if they might be bringing snacks). Trio does live with a few chronic health conditions, including a heart condition, but you’d never know it when you watch him trot around, ears forward, mane flying, and just being a horse — which is exactly what sanctuary is meant to provide. He adores his daily mash, sunbathing with his herd, and of course, showing off his impeccable taste in seasonal accessories. (We’re not saying he loves being the center of attention, but we’re also not not saying that.) Trio’s journey — from high-stakes racetrack to Detroit Zoo ambassador to thriving sanctuary herd member — is a powerful reminder of just how resilient horses truly are. He exemplifies what it means to heal, adapt, and live with joy despite the odds. We’re proud to have A Table for Three represent Serenity Oaks as our Equine Ambassador. He’s not just a horse with a story — he’s a horse who rewrote his story. Learn more about Serenity Oaks Equine Sanctuary here .

Bud is a 24-year-old Draft Cross and has been a cherished member of the HorseSense herd since 2009, making him our longest-serving equine partner. With his gentle demeanor, patience, love of attention, and signature goofy personality, Bud has earned a special place in the hearts of participants and volunteers alike. He serves as our primary horse for adaptive riding and veteran lessons, consistently offering a safe, steady presence to riders of all backgrounds and ability levels. Whether he’s helping a young rider gain confidence or independent riding skills, or supporting a veteran working through trauma, Bud as an equine partner intuitively meets each individual where they are—physically, emotionally, and mentally. Bud represents HorseSense as an organization: compassionate, dependable, and deeply connected to the people he serves. His unwavering commitment to healing through horse-human connection makes him the ideal Equine Ambassador for our program! Learn more about HorseSense here .

Danny Boy is a 30 year old semi retired Halflinger that has not slowed down a bit and loves his job as an equine therapist at Northern Michigan Equine Therapy (NMET). He has been working at NMET for the past 10 years and is always the first one at the gate to come in for love and attention. We call him our: Self Esteem and Self Care Therapist Danny Boy’s sense of calm and confidence allows anyone to feel comfortable to express their worries, fears and anxieties which guides them to feel comfortable with self care. He also excels at being a safe and steady mount in our Occupational Therapy (Hippotherapy) sessions. Danny Boy is a special guy with a heart of gold. Learn more about Northern Michigan Equine Therapy here .

Over the last 25 years as a therapy horse, Hank has helped thousands of children, adults, and Veterans on every level throughout his endless hours of service as a therapy horse. What makes Hank so unique is his versatility, being exceptional in every program. He has always been the horse you know you can rely on in every single situation. Whether it's a child who needs Hank to patiently wait for her to mount as she is lifted from her wheelchair and slowly placed on his back, or a Veteran who has never ridden without assistance and requires a horse that will instill confidence in him as he rides independently for the first time. There have been thousands of individuals who credit Hank for teaching them how to trust, for igniting their interest in horsemanship, for giving them confidence, and for giving them a passion for horses. He is the perfect citizen, with manners, soft eyes willing to accept anyone, happy ears wanting to help everyone he meets, and the ability to be both brave and kind in every situation. Hank has served in every program successfully. Even though we call him “Hank” he was born to the AQHA registered name Cheerioak. His sire, Docs Oak, is in the NCHA Hall of Fame. Hank has been a much-needed horse in hippotherapy to help individuals in speech, physical and occupational therapy. Hank is a favorite for Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy. Any mental health therapist will tell you he connects with clients like no other. He helps sessions in person and even has cooperated for zoom sessions for mental health services during COVID. Hank was the reason that Operation Mustang could happen. He was used to touch, halter, and pony our once wild horses. Hank was the reason a Special Olympics athlete made it to the World Games. Hank was the reason Trail to Zero, our 20-mile suicide prevention ride, could have even been imagined to happen. Hank bravely led 15 Trail to Zero rides, through major cities in the U.S., since inception. To this day, Hank remains the most honest, willing, confident, trustworthy, steadfast, and diverse companion we have ever partnered with at our center. Hank is a true professional who takes immense pride in his work. He is honorable in every sense of the word. From our founder’s funeral service to stepping in to help our therapy horse, Dan, when he lost his 33-year old herd mate, to all of the ‘firsts’ he has taught people – first trots, first lopes, first time over fences, first time on a cow, first gold medal, and being first on every Trail to Zero ride, Hank is one in a zillion. As the years pass, his age has become more evident with his graying face, his slowing pace, and his increase in health concerns. We know time is fleeting, but we cherish each ride, each whinny, and each moment his kind eyes soften to meet ours. Hank continues to serve as his work ethic and heart for people never slows down. It is as if his soul knows exactly what each person and horse needs. His eyes soften, his ears are quietly forward and attentive while his nose drops as if he is selflessly whispering, "It's good to meet you." Learn more about BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding & Educational Center here .

Kay, a Norwegian Fjord mare, has patience for those needing it but also offers subtle feedback for those that need awareness. Whether she partners in a mounted or unmounted adaptive lesson, she has all the characteristics to provide the perfect scenario for a successful lesson. One rider's mom describes the horse-human connection Kay has in this way,"How can a beautiful, gentle, free-spirited horse positively affect her rider on many levels? Her stocky dense build helps my daughter to stretch her hips, strengthen her legs and core muscles. With her bouncy, swaying motion challenging my daughters balance and mental focus to stay centered on horseback at walk, trot and turns, it has also supported her own walk gait. You can see the difference as she walks her horse after dismounting. Kay has changed many lives and we are grateful to be one of the few she has done that for. A whole body and spirit experience in the form of a sweet, gentle, four footed friend!" Learn more about Main Stay Therapeutic Farm here .

Milo is a 15 yr. old Medicine Hat paint gelding who joined LoveWay in October of 2021. Milo is a true gentleman who understands his assignment when working with children who have disabilities. Milo takes amazing care of his students. If he feels a rider become unbalanced, he will stop to allow them to recenter themselves before continuing on. He is easy for even our most beginner volunteer horse leaders or students to work with on the ground. He is brave and unbothered by things that would startle most horses. In his quiet presence, even the highest energy students instinctively become calmer. During unmounted classes, Milo often starts with a volunteer horse leader walking him around with the student on the other end of the lead rope. Milo is very responsive to the horse leader’s cues and walks quickly to match their confident stride. When it is time to switch places and put the student in the direct leadership position, Milo’s whole demeanor changes. He slows his footsteps down to a crawl to match his student’s slower, less confident stride. He is great for more advanced students to work with because he is responsive to cues and builds their confidence. Overall, he is an amazing lesson horse who is willing and kind to all he meets. Learn more about LoveWay, Inc. here .

Meet Rose, Our Equine Ambassador! At Nature's Edge Therapy Center, we are excited to introduce Rose, our remarkable Paint horse, as the face of our Equus Guardian fundraiser. LPS Classic Rare Rose (Rose) has been with Nature's Edge Therapy Center since she was a year old. She did leave us from 12 years to 18 years to be with a 4H young lady and then came back. Rose embodies everything we strive for in our therapy horses. At 19 years old, she brings years of experience, grace, and an exceptional temperament that makes her a perfect partner for our patients. Rose's size, temperament, and movement are ideal for hippotherapy, providing a safe and effective way for our patients to achieve their therapy goals. Her gentle nature and smooth, rhythmic movements help improve balance, strength, and coordination for individuals with various needs. Your support in the Equus Guardian fundraiser ensures that incredible horses like Rose continue to make a profound impact on the lives of those we serve. Join us in celebrating Rose and helping us provide top-notch equine-assisted therapy to our community. Learn more about Nature's Edge Therapy Center here .

Stevie, a 27-year-old Fjord gelding has been part of our therapeutic riding program since 2010 and is the cornerstone of our equine herd. He has given hundreds of children and adults their first ride, thanks to his calm, gentle nature and ability to sense how people are feeling. On numerous occasions he has stopped and refused to move just before his rider had a seizure and stood like a rock until the event was over. Stevie also will randomly hug people--sensing they need a little extra TLC, he will turn his big head and literally wrap his neck around them! Stevie is one of those horses that will rise up to the level of his rider: walking as if on eggshells for those who are fragile and being a little stubborn for those who think they know everything! Stevie is loved and adored by all who meet him and although he is semi-retired, he is still a student and volunteer favorite. This big lug is a model therapeutic riding horse and he deserves to be part of your team! Learn more about The Shane Center for Therapeutic Horsemanship, Inc here .

Teeticket began her racing career on February 24, 2016. She had 22 racing starts, placing first twice, second once and third three times with a lifetime earnings of $22,512. Teeticket was retired from racing in 2018. She was acquired by a Kill Pen Buyer in 2019 from an Amish family when she could no longer serve her purpose of pulling a cart. Beyond the Roses Equine Rescue (BTRE) fundraised and purchased her to save her from going to Canada for slaughter. We were told at the time that she was blind in at least one eye. When arriving at our farm Teeticket was examined by our Veterinarian and it was thought that she had Uveitis in both eyes and was blind in both. We then took her to Michigan State University Large Animal Clinic to be examined. They verified she was completely blind. BTRE was told that the best avenue for Teeticket would be to remove her eyes so she would not be in pain. In June 2020, the funds were raised and her eyes were removed. Since BTRE had never had a blind horse before, modifications needed to be made to give her comfortable surroundings. A small turnout was created for her to be turned out into and her stall was modified for her. She adjusted very well to her new lifestyle. Teeticket was a very cooperative horse. Very friendly and an easy to work around. Last October BTRE rescued a mare named Hope This Helps (Hope). Hope and Teeticket have been housed next to each other and immediately became friends. They are now inseparable and Hope has become Teeticket’s new eyes. They were moved to a larger paddock attached to their stalls. Teeticket gets around the paddock as if she can see. She has been taught voice commands so it is easier for her to be handled. It was determined that with Teeticket’s blindness it would best for her to be a Sanctuary horse with BTRE and live out her life with us. She appears to be very happy with her new life as a Sanctuary horse with us. Learn more about Beyond The Roses Equine Rescue & Retirement here .