Animal Spotlight

In Loving Memory (by owner Suzanne Opp)

Many of you are aware of the recent passing of my horse Sterling, who was partnering with the Ranch for both riding and mental health activities. Unfortunately he presented with some symptoms that necessitated his euthanasia. It was such a shock because he was doing so well in the program, and at first it seemed like he simply pulled a muscle with a slip on the ice over the weekend, but his condition deteriorated rapidly, including some seizure-like behavior. All in all it was a very complex situation and an incredibly painful call to make, especially as he has been blossoming and doing so well in his learning process at the Ranch.  

He made strong connections with many volunteers and staffers alike. I love hearing about how he was among the first horses in his paddock to meet people at the fence, and wish he could have been with us for longer, but am so grateful he was able to experience true purpose and meaning in these last months.  When he was living at my house, his outreach with people was much more limited. 

At Affinity, he followed all the same protocols as any horse who comes to the program. First they enter quarantine, which is especially important now, with the EHV outbreak. And then slowly, Petra rides them in different scenarios, gradually helping them increase their confidence as they will be exposed and expected to manage many situations. The process is not unlike what a new student would experience (aside from quarantine!). They are evaluated to be a good fit, and work in sessions to better their skills and grow.  

The important thing to keep in mind about all our program horses is that because of our widened community, sadly the grief over their loss is compounded among many. On the flip side, the shared support for each other is such a huge benefit. It's been incredible to know the ways Sterling connected with so many of you. One story I heard is that a person was extremely nervous around horses, but Sterling was able to help her gain confidence in his quiet way. He will be missed, but we are so fortunate to have such an amazing herd of horse healers, and their handlers who help them work to their best ability.

Dora’s owners reached out to us when their kids no longer had the time to spend with her and they were also getting ready to move. Miss Dora took a little bit longer to settle into our program as she had some ptsd from her previous life. However we were dedicated to giving her the necessary time and support to overcome her fears and now she is one of our most trusted equine partners. Dora loves her job and now she helps many clients in overcoming their own difficulties. She is very smart, gentle, and loves food. Dora lives with Miss Sprite and together they are like two siblings, always badgering each other when in the paddock but as soon as you take one of them out for a lesson they call for each other.

Friday is an 18 year old AQHA gelding that came to us from a hunter/jumper lesson program. Friday is a wonderful teacher, but he was ready for a bit of a slower pace and that is why his previous barn reached out to us to see if he would enjoy a job in our assisted mounted programs. Friday is the funniest, sweetest guy you will ever meet. He does require some medication to help his legs to feel and move better since he has some arthritis, and he also wears special shoes with pads and wedges to further improve his mobility. He loves neck scratches and running in the pasture paradise with his best friend Sam.

Arlo is a nearly two-year-old Great Dane who has quickly become an important part of our therapy team. Known for his calm and gentle temperament, Arlo brings comfort and reassurance to clients through his quiet presence and warm demeanor. Despite his large size, he has a soft heart and a playful spirit, making him approachable for children and adults alike.

Arlo completed a five-week intensive training program to prepare him for the Canine Good Citizen Test, building the skills needed to work closely with clients in a therapeutic setting. He has shown an incredible ability to tune into people’s emotions, offering quiet support during difficult moments and playful encouragement when it’s most needed. His intuitive nature helps clients feel seen, safe, and supported.

When he’s not busy working, Arlo enjoys bully sticks, carrying around his favorite toy—a pair of cowboy boots—and soaking up all the cuddles he can get. He also loves to zoom around the house and yard, showing off his goofy and playful side. At almost two years old, Arlo continues to grow into his role as a therapy dog, reminding us every day of the powerful bond between humans and animals.

Rufus recently celebrated his 19th birthday with us. He is one of our most recent lease horses, so we would like to introduce him to you all.

This sweet boy is a Tennessee Walker. His very specific movements have been incredible for our clients needing a bit more input. Rufus has joined our party paddock where he now lives with Dusty, Link, and his new girlfriend Marley. He is one of the friendliest horses we have here and will always be the first one to come welcome you to their paddock. Rufus enjoys his lessons very much and in his spare time you can find him either flirting with the ladies or spending time with our volunteers.

It’s thanks to Rufus’s owners who have graciously leased this wonderful guy to our ranch that we can continue to do the good work we do here. So please let us welcome Rufus into our herd! We can not wait for you to meet him in person.

This charming gelding is the definition of good vibes on four legs. With a playful twinkle in his eye, and a steady hoofstep, he’s the kind of horse everyone falls in love with.

Sugar has a smooth gait, a soft nicker when he sees his favorite people, and a big heart. His favorite is teaching our independent riders how to be off lead, trotting on the lunge line and he loves trail rides with our Equine manager.

This gelding may not ask for much, but he gives his all. Sugar came to us with his tiny sidekick Banjo. Check out our next news letter to learn about Banjo.

Banjo may be small in size, but he’s overflowing with charm, cheer, and just the right amount of sass. With his fluffy mane, twinkling eyes, and the cutest little trot you’ve ever seen, Banjo is the pony everyone falls for the moment they meet him.

He’s the kind of pony who loves to play and run with his friends and follows you around like a puppy. Whether he’s giving pony rides to giggling kids or just soaking up sunshine in the paddock, Banjo brings joy wherever he goes.

True to his musical name, Banjo’s presence makes every day a little brighter and a lot more fun. He’s sweet, funny, and just the right amount of spunky—the perfect pony package wrapped up in a fuzzy, four-hooved bow.

Meet Peter Pan a.k.a Petey, Miniature Pony, Full-Sized Charm

Never grew up—and never wanted to! Peter Pan is a pint-sized pony with a heart as big as Neverland. Known for his mischief, cuddles, and fairy-tale like mane, he’s always chasing adventures (or snacks). Whether he’s prancing in the paddock with his two pony friends, or stealing hearts in adaptive horsemanship & mental health sessions, Petey reminds us that a little magic lives in us all. 

Do you know our mousers?

Anytime you are at the Ranch, you will likely see one of our three mousers hanging around - Pumpkin, Duke, and Polka.

Pumpkin (orange cat) came to the Ranch when Promise moved from Castle Rock to join Praying Hands Ranch at the current location of Affinity Ranch.  Although he was touted as a "barn cat", he quickly made his preference known that he was much more comfortable hanging out on the cushioned chairs and couches inside Arena A in either the heated or air conditioned rooms instead of the barn.

Both Duke (black and white) and Polka (grey tabby) were both found in a barn on the property when very young and were bottle fed by some of the staff until they were old enough to roam in the Ranch. Both have been here since birth and think that everyone on site is there to cater to them.

Although they are happiest visiting and getting pets from staff, volunteers and clients, all three are on duty to keep the mouse population under control, so they do serve a useful purpose at the Ranch.

All three cats love people (feel free to pet them) and their favorite person is Sharilyn who feeds them treats whenever she is on duty.  Lynn also seems to provide door service (and sometimes window service) letting them in and out of the buildings whenever they see her moving around.

Gemini a.k.a Lucci’s Te is a 9 year old thoroughbred mare. She was bred and raced here in Colorado. When she was ready to retire she came to our Equine Manager Petra to learn how to be a horse and to transition into her second career. Petra quickly fell in love with Gemini’s quirky personality and her huge heart, but still made the difficult decision to let her go back to her owners. However, when Gemini’s owners reached out about 6 months later saying Gemi was not quite the right fit for them Petra did not hesitate and brought her home.

Gemini is very sensitive and playful which makes her the perfect partner for Mental Health programs. Her big personality and athletic nature is what will steal your heart and make you laugh every time you work with her. When Gemi isn’t working she loves showing off her talents at eventing shows, jumping, playing at liberty and exploring trails.

Meet Lilly - Antoinette's baby!

Lilly, a registered American Quarter Horse Association sorrel mare, was born on May 24, 2004. Her mom, Antoinette, fell in love with her and brought her home to her ranch in Elizabeth when Lilly was just four years old. Their journey became deeply intertwined—during a period of stress and anxiety, Antoinette noticed that Lilly mirrored her emotions, revealing the profound connection between emotional intelligence and mindfulness. As Antoinette learned to regulate her own energy, she saw a remarkable shift in Lilly’s behavior, reinforcing how our inner world shapes our external experiences.

Recognizing Lilly’s gift for healing, Antoinette began leasing her to Praying Hands Ranch in 2022, initially just for the summer. However, after witnessing how Lilly transformed the lives of others just as she had transformed her own, Antoinette knew she couldn't take her away. Today, Lilly serves as a therapy horse at Affinity Ranch, where she continues to support others on their healing journeys.

Ivy came to the ranch in August of 2022, when her owner Lisa purchased her.  Lisa thought she knew a lot about horses, but Ivy has let Lisa know that she knew little.  And Ivy continues to train Lisa.  Ivy will be 19 in June.  She is half thoroughbred and half quarter horse.  She is also registered as a paint, due to her flashy white face.  Ivy was a broodmare in her previous life, meaning she was used for breeding.  She had two babies, but Lisa is unaware of where they are now.  Ivy participates in mental health therapy at Affinity Ranch.  She can be a little spicy to ride, so mental health and ground work are ideal for her.  She LOVES people and is so receptive to love and grooming. She will follow her horse leader wherever they go. About a year ago, squamous cell cancer was found in Ivy’s eyes. Colorado State University had a trial in process for a drug to treat this type of cancer.  Ivy was found to be a candidate for the study. The treatment involved 3 injections directly into the cancer.  After two injections, there was no further sign of the cancer! She did receive the third dose and remains in the study to check further for any further developments.  She wears a UV mask whenever she is outside to prevent further cancer, so if you see her out side you would not know that he has her white face.  Ivy and Lisa ride 2 to 3 times a week.  Ivy is very happy at Affinity Ranch.