Greetings from Southern Reins!

This month, our newsletter is blooming with updates and events that mirror the season's spirit of growth and rejuvenation. Just like the fresh buds signaling new life in nature, we are celebrating the expansion of our team, the energized surge in our volunteer community, and the budding of new partnerships that promise to enhance our mission.

In this edition, we are thrilled to introduce you to Maddy Kelley, our inspiring new Program Coordinator. Her journey from passionate volunteer to a key member of our team reflects the dedication and growth we value deeply at Southern Reins.

In addition, we invite you to grow your warm weather wardrobe with our 2024 Spring Gear - available now! By wearing Southern Reins' apparel you are not only showing your support, but also directly contributing to our cause, but hurry - the deadline to order is March 25.

The excitement is also building up for our 9th Annual Jockeys & Juleps Derby Party on May 4, 2024. It is not just a celebration; it is a chance for you to make a lasting impact by securing event sponsorship and tickets, and donating an item to our premier silent and live auctions. Your contributions are most appreciated and make a tremendous impact to change lives through all our programs.

This newsletter also welcomes the new faces at Southern Reins, from volunteers to collaborators like Forever Young and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. We look forward to their help in fueling our mission to continue transform lives every day at the farm.

Thanks to each and every one of you for your unwavering support and enthusiasm. Together, we are embarking on a season filled with growth, fun, and a sense of community that makes all the difference.

Southern Reins' 9-week Winter Session is wrapping up this week, and we are grateful to have shared the connection of horse and human for all of our participants who took part in Adaptive Horseback Riding, Occupational Therapy incorporating Hippotherapy, Unbridled Horsemanship, and HorsePOWER Work-Based Learning.

Our 9-week Spring Session will begin on March 25, and we are so excited to have returning and new participants - and our amazing volunteers - back at the farm soon!

Please join us in welcoming Southern Reins' Program Coordinator, Maddy Kelley!

Maddy was born and raised in Collierville, TN, and resides in Arlington, TN. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Spanish from the University of Memphis in 2022. Maddy grew up with horses and began riding when she was four years old. When she was 11 years old, she got her first barrel horse named Zippy. She has a diverse riding background and has ridden hunter/jumpers as well as learning dressage basics, but her true passion is barrel racing. After graduating college, Maddy purchased her paint mare, Zara, and enjoys training and competing with her.

Maddy joined Southern Reins as a volunteer in 2022 and is pursuing her PATH Intl. CTRI certification. In addition to spending time with her horse, Maddy spends her time away from the farm enjoying walks with her mini daschund Smokey, running, and listening to her favorite band, The Beatles. 

Southern Reins' 2024 Spring Gear is now available to order!

Welcome the upcoming spring season with new Southern Reins' gear! Adult-sized short and long-sleeve tees are available to order at the link below. Every purchase supports our mission and shares our impact.

Deadline to order is Noon on Monday, March 25.

For questions or more information, please contact Meredith Massa at [email protected].

We can't wait to see everyone wearing their new Southern Reins' colors!

Join us for the Party of the Year as we celebrate the 150th Kentucky Derby and the heart of Southern Reins!

Presented by First Horizon Advisors.

Auction donors receive valuable benefits!

• Align with an Impactful Cause: In-kind auction donor support directly improves the lives of individuals living with disabilities and hardships through the equine-assisted programs we provide.
• Transformative Programs: Funds raised from our Silent and Live Auctions fuel life-changing initiatives that benefit every participant in our program.
• Premier Visibility: Elevates your brand with influential community leaders.
• Social Responsibility: Showcases your commitment to making a lasting, positive impact.

Interested auction donors, please email Jill Haag at [email protected].

Welcome New Southern Reins' Volunteers!

We had an amazing turnout for our Volunteer Training this month! Our farm family always loves welcoming new friends, and we look forward to seeing you all back at Southern Reins for the start of our Spring Session soon!

For more information about volunteering with our program, contact 

[email protected].

Uniting in Mission: Forever Young and Equine Services for Heroes!

Representatives from Forever Young visited the farm this month to learn more about the remarkable impact of our PATH Intl. Equine Services for Heroes program. Because we are both driven by a profound commitment to supporting those who have served our country, we are dedicated to uniting in our missions.

We are excited to continue to uplift and empower those who have sacrificed so much for our freedom, and together, we can honor their service with gratitude to ensure they find the peace and healing they deserve.

UTHSC: A Step Towards Collaboration!

Southern Reins had the honor of welcoming key members from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center to the farm this month. This special visit opened the door for future collaborations aimed at enhancing community service and educational opportunities. The day was filled with productive discussions on joint research, education collaborations, and community engagement after a tour of our facilities and observing one of our Adaptive Riding lessons.

We would like to share a HUGE thank you to everyone who participated in making this visit a success. We are excited about the potential this partnership holds for making a significant impact on the communities we both serve!