The Hoofbeat: July 2019
Rider Success Story

Luciano: Age 8
Luciano came to Hearts during the summer of 2017. His parents hoped he might develop his fine motor skills as well as core strength and balance. One of Luciano's personal goals was to grow strong enough to ride a bicycle.

Fast forward to summer of 2019, Luciano has developed in all of the areas his parents had hoped. Luciano arrives prior to lessons to prepare his horse using various grooming tools. He follows multi-step directions to tack his horse and tie the latigo on his western saddle. While riding, Luciano memorizes patterns and steers independently through obstacle courses.

Luciano's parents are thrilled to report that by using his newly found skills in motor planning, he has accomplished his personal goal of riding a bicycle. His teachers have reported that Luciano has been more focused on tasks in class. What's best is that Luciano was able to enjoy developing these skills because he was having fun and connecting with his horse and peers. Luciano plans to spend the summer visiting family in Italy and riding bikes with his friends.

Visit heartsriding.org for more information on our therapeutic programs.
Thank You Leadership of Santa Barbara County!
A heartfelt thank you goes out to Leadership of Santa Barbara County for improvements made to the main arena. The leadership team has been fundraising for Hearts as part of their in-depth community service project. Last month, they rolled up their sleeves and built baseboards and shelves along the perimeter of the arena. The newly imported arena footing will stay in place thanks to the Douglas Fir baseboards. Hearts riders have been enjoying a fishing game using the new arena shelves.

Thank you to Hayward Lumber, Mountain and Sea Dental and Associates, Channel City Lumber, Los Rancheros Pobres, and Allen Construction for their generous contributions.
Equine Services for Heroes

In the News
Hearts' Equine Services for Heroes program was recently featured on KEYT News. View the Equine Therapy for Veterans segment here .

Volunteers Change Lives


Interested in joining our volunteer team? Contact our volunteer program manager, Sarah for more information.

We are also looking for volunteers for upcoming Summer camp sessions. This is an especially fun summer opportunity for high school students!

Session dates:

July 29 - August 1 (4 day session due to Fiesta)
August 5 - 9

Contact our volunteer program manager, Sarah for more information.
Sponsor a Hearts Horse

Lacey

DOB: 5/23/1996
Breed: Quarter Horse
Height: 15’2”

Lacey is one of the newest additions to the Hearts herd. She is a 23-year-old paint quarter horse from Paso Robles, California. Before arriving at Hearts, Lacey was a western trail horse in an equestrian community near Lake Nacimiento. Lacey is calm, cool, collected, and considerate with our riders.

Lacey enjoys trail rides, carrots and being turned out with her sister, Melody.


Jack
DOB: 1/1/2000 
Breed: Thoroughbred/Quarter Horse 
Height: 15’ 

Jack was a polo pony in his first career. He came to Hearts from the Santa Barbara Polo and Racket Club. He is now one of the most dependable therapeutic riding horses we have. If you are soft and gentle with him, he will be the same with you. Jack is very responsive and has a lovely trot.

Contact Lily to learn more about our Therapy Horse Sponsorship Program.
Hearts 101: An Inclusive Tour
Come experience the heart and soul of our organization! Join us for Hearts 101: An Inclusive Tour on Saturday, August 10th, 10:30 am - 11:30 am.

Come to the Hearts ranch to learn more about our expanded programs, recent news, and to learn more about the amazing individuals we serve. There are many opportunities to bring friends and family throughout the year to see our mission in action!

Upcoming dates:

Saturday, August 10th, 10:30 am - 11:30 am

Please RSVP using the link below


Thank You Nate!
Nate reached his goal of raising over $2,000 for Hearts at his Bar Mitzvah this month! Thank you to Nate, and to his friends and family who contributed toward arena improvements and rider tuition adjustment.
For more information about youth fundraising projects for Hearts contact Lily .
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Hearts Therapeutic Equestrian Center | (805) 964-1519 | info@heartsriding.org | www.heartsriding.org