Greetings!
This year Southern Reins Center for Equine Therapy has provided 1,998 hours of instruction to 109 individuals with disabilities and hardship representing 48 different diagnoses, including Down syndrome, autism, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, amputation, cognitive and physical disabilities, trauma, and more.
While these numbers are important, they only tell part of our story. We recently sat down with participants and their families to hear about the true impact that Southern Reins has on their lives. Stories of hope and healing, of achievement, and of joy.
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This is our Southern Reins story . . . it's not complete without you.
Donate today to be a part of someone else's story.
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Welcome Basie to our Equine Team |
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Join us in welcoming Basie, the newest member of our equine team.
Basie is a handsome Westphalian gelding with an illustrious show record. He is well known throughout the Memphis hunter/jumper circuit and is a very well-traveled gentleman. Basie's wealth of experience and knowledge helps our independent riders build confidence as they develop more advanced riding skills. He absolutely adores people, and his curious nature and kind demeanor melt the hearts of everyone he meets. Basie is on loan from our friend, Margaret Ledbetter Weaver, and we are thrilled to welcome him to the herd.
Basie is generously sponsored by the McEniry Family.
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Southern Reins Christmas Party |
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We were so happy to be able to gather together with our volunteer, participants, and families this year for our Annual Christmas Party. In addition to celebrating another wonderful year at the farm, we recognized our outstanding volunteers for their time and contributions to our mission, as well as announcing the 2021 Horse of the Year, Jute!
A very special "thank you" to Karen Hall for decking the halls with such beautiful and festive decor!
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2021 Outstanding Volunteer Awards |
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At the heart of all of Southern Reins' programs are our incredibly dedicated volunteers. This year alone our volunteers have donated more than 11,000 hours of service and millions of smiles. Every year we recognize a few of our outstanding volunteers for their dedication to our mission. Each of these volunteers is nominated by participants and their fellow volunteers for their generosity and service to Southern Reins.
Please join us in congratulating Lauren Gates, Lu and Wayne Burkett, Linda Conlee, Casey Deakins, Brenda Heindl, and Elena Smith as our 2021 Outstanding Volunteers. In addition to being recognized at the annual Southern Reins Christmas Party earlier this month, special recognition photos of each volunteer will be displayed in the volunteer lounge through next year.
We are so grateful for all these volunteers do to support Southern Reins.
Congratulations on this well-earned achievement!
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Jute Voted 2021 Horse of the Year |
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Voted by Southern Reins participants and volunteers,
Jute is the 2021 Horse of the Year!
Jute is a farm favorite with his expressive eyes, gentle spirit, and sweet temperament. He gives riders of all skill and experience levels confidence and truly loves his job here at Southern Reins. Jute is on loan from Jim and Suzanne Hall. He joined our herd in November of 2019 with his best friend, Shiloh. Jute is proudly sponsored by Charles and Judy Burkett.
Here are just a few of the things some of Jute's biggest fans said about him:
"I always feel like he is attuned to Ann Elise. He likes to stay in motion as much as she does, and we all love watching him trot!"
"Jute is so happy to do his job and is so good at it! He takes such good care of his riders, especially when they are unclipped and riding indepndently!"
"He always loves attention and likes to give kisses!!"
"My favorite memory with Jute is feeling happy and free while independently riding him through part of the wooded trail."
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2022 Winter Session Calendar |
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10-Week Winter Session: January 3 through March 12
Makeup Week: March 14 through March 19
Equine Break: March 21 through March 26
Deadline to register for Spring Session: March 6
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How cute are Sally and Legend sporting their matching pom hats? Sally saw this matching set in the Southern Reins Fall Silent Auction last month and just knew she had to have them! Thank you Sally for all you do to support Southern Reins!
A few pony pom hats are still available for purchase thanks to the generosity of volunteer Brenda Heindl. Contact us.
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Volunteer Tim Brennan said, "see you later" to his buddy Chad. Tim began volunteering with Southern Reins in 2020. During his time with us, he has formed a special bond with Chad. Chad has flourished in our program, and Tim has been a large part of his success. We sadly say farewell to Tim as he relocates to Chattanooga. Thank you, Tim, for all your support.
We miss you already, and wish you the best of luck in East Tennessee!
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A very special thank you goes out to Calder Trotz, Margaret Pierotti, and Liza Watson for supporting Southern Reins. As part of their Wilson Society project "Reigning in the Holidays," the high school juniors prepared holiday goody bags for our participants and volunteers to spread some holiday cheer.
Jute and Shiloh were very interested in their holiday goody bags, too!
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You didn't think we would forget about everyone's favorite barn cat, did you? That's right, even Belle got her very own Brenda Heindl Original pom hat, just like so many of her pony friends. She wasn't as big of a fan of her new hat as we were, but she was still a good sport. Don't you think she looks adorable?
Thank you Brenda for thinking of all of our farm family.
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From all of us at the farm, we wish you a very Merry Christmas
and a Happy and Joyous New Year!
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Our mission is to serve individuals with physical, cognitive, and emotional disabilities and hardship by providing equine-assisted service to empower, inspire, nurture and succeed. |
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SOUTHERN REINS CENTER FOR EQUINE THERAPY
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