Our Fall Session is in full swing . . . and it is our largest session yet bringing more participants, more lessons, and more opportunities to change lives than ever before.

Each week, our arena is filled with participants working toward new goals, therapy horses doing what they do best, and an incredible team of volunteers helping make it all possible. There is an unmistakable energy around the farm right now - and we are so grateful for everyone who is part of it.

We have lots to share this season, and we are excited to give you a glimpse of all the great things happening at Southern Reins!

5th Annual Southern Supper

An Evening That Makes a Difference

Southern Supper returns this November for an evening you will not want to miss!



Join us Thursday, November 5 at Memphis Country Club for our 5th Annual Southern Supper - Southern Reins' signature fall fundraiser celebrating the people, horses, and community that make our mission possible.

Enjoy bountiful Southern fare, a lively silent auction, and the warm hospitality that makes Southern Supper such a special evening - all in support of the life-changing work happening every day at Southern Reins.

Only a few tables remain, and we would love to have you join us. Every seat at Southern Supper supports meaningful opportunities for children and adults with disabilities and hardship throughout the Mid-South.

Reserve your seat and be part of a beautiful evening for Southern Reins.

For more information or to confirm your spot today, visit our

Southern Supper event website or contact Lizzie Cash at lizzie.cash@southernreins.org.

Our therapy horses do some pretty important work, and keeping them fueled takes a lot of hay! Each horse consumes an average of 95 bales per year, with our entire herd going through more than 1,500 bales annually.

Our $14,000 Hay For A Day goal will help provide the nourishment our horses need to stay happy, healthy, and ready for every lesson, visit, and participant. 

Every day of hay makes a difference. Thank you for your support!

Welcome to the Southern Reins Family

Please join us in welcoming Southern Reins' new

Donor Relations and Volunteer Coordinator, Mary Helen Willingham!

Mary Helen was born and raised in Greenville, Mississippi. Growing up on her family farm, she was surrounded by animals of all kinds, usually including at least one horse. This instilled in her a deep love and respect for the important role each animal plays in our lives. After graduating from Millsaps College with a B.A. in Sociology and Anthropology, Mary Helen worked in several social service fields before beginning a long career in dental office management. After relocating to Memphis in 2024, she realized that working in a meaningful, mission-driven organization was what had been missing from her professional life. She joined Southern Reins in 2026 and is excited to share the organization's mission and values.

Outside of the office, Mary Helen enjoys spending time with her husband, Alex, and their two sons, Jacob and Thomas. She also stays busy caring for her own herd of dogs and cats, including her St. Bernards, Bear and Bryant.

Summer Memories, Fall Momentum

Summer at Southern Reins gave us so much to celebrate!

From busy days at camp to breakthroughs in the saddle, our Summer Session was filled with new experiences, proud accomplishments, growing confidence, and countless reasons to smile. Our participants challenged themselves, our volunteers were there every step of the way, and our incredible therapy horses helped make each success possible.

And we are carrying that energy right into fall! Our largest Fall Session yet is now underway, with the farm buzzing with lessons, programs, and participants ready to take on new goals.

We loved every minute of summer, and we are excited to see where this next season takes us!

Meet Our Amazing Horse Sponsors

Our therapy horses make healing, growth, and connection possible every day at Southern Reins, and they could not do it without the families and friends who support their care.

To our amazing horse sponsors, thank you! Your generosity helps provide the feed, veterinary care, farrier services, and daily care our herd needs to thrive.

Want to meet the people behind the horses? Click the video above to see all of our amazing horse sponsors and learn more about those helping our herd make a difference every day. 

Smokey and Scooter Are Still Looking For

Their Sponsors!

These two special members of our herd would love to have a family, friend, or fan cheering them on. Sponsorship is a meaningful way to show your support for the equines who make Southern Reins so special.

Celebrating Charles Burkett

After nine years of dedicated service, Charles Burkett has retired from our Board of Directors. Since joining the Board in December 2017, Charles has been an invaluable part of Southern Reins and has helped guide our organization through an incredible period of growth. As our Board Treasurer and Chairman of our Finance Committee, Charles generously shared his expertise, leadership, and time to help strengthen the organization and position Southern Reins for the future.

We are incredibly grateful for the many ways he has supported our mission and the people we serve and are excited for him as he begins this well-earned next chapter. Thank you, Charles, for nearly a decade of leadership, friendship, and unwavering support.

Introducing Southern Reins'

Newest Board Member

Steve Piacentini, Vice President, Senior Financial Advisor &

Regional Director, First Horizon Advisors

Steve is a graduate of Mississippi State University, where he earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in Banking and Finance. He began his career in financial services in 2004 and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, Certified Exit Planning Advisor®, and Certified Retirement Counselor®. He currently serves as Vice President, Senior Financial Advisor, and Regional Director with First Horizon Advisors, leading a team that partners with the firm's Private Client, Commercial, and Trust divisions. Steve serves as a Board Member and Finance Committee Chair for Westminster Academy, where he also coaches middle school boys golf, and is a host for the Catch-A-Dream Foundation, helping provide outdoor experiences to children with life-threatening illnesses.

Our Mission is to serve individuals with physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities and hardship by providing equine-assisted services to empower, inspire, nurture and succeed.