Client Spotlight

Caroline, who is now 30, has been riding and involved with Praying Hands Ranch to Affinity Ranch for 15 + years. Caroline has ridden most of the horses at the Ranch and currently doing ground work with Preacher. She has ridden and worked with Preacher for years building a great relationship. 

That great relationship extends to Jewels who has worked with Caroline for years and has done everything to help Caroline and her changing needs.

Caroline looks forward to her weekly Ranch experience which provides mental and physical exercise plus adventure.

We are very pleased to see the Ranch blossom as Affinity Ranch and provide many opportunities.

Oliver started participating in the incredible Hippotherapy program at Affinity Ranch in 2024. His favorite horses are Shawnee, Dora, and Sprite. Oliver shared that riding at Affinity Ranch has had a great impact on his life. While Oliver is working on physical therapy goals, he notes that riding has become a part of his heart. It has also helped him become calmer and confident in his abilities.

Oliver loves his physical therapist, Sarah and his favorite volunteer is Lisa. He says they are both really nice and good horse leaders.

Oliver has had a great time with the horses. His favorite memory is meeting Dora for the first time because he remembers every part of that ride. Going to Affinity Ranch has become one of his favorite activities of the week!

Hi, my name is Adalynn. I’m 4 years old and turn 5 on July 10th! I started Adaptive Horsemanship back in October of 2024. My goals and needs for Adaptive Horsemanship are extensive, but so far, I’ve been loving experiencing a new way to learn about my body.

I was born with Autism Spectrum Disorder Level 2, Ataxia, hypotonia, global developmental delay, and a genetic gene that causes all these disabilities. These affect the way my body moves, balances, and learns. It also affects my communication and eating abilities.

Adaptive Horsemanship has broadened my horizons by gaining an everlasting trust with my pony, Link, and the ability to move and balance my core while on Link. I have learned more structure and confidence in myself by listening to understand and following the directions my

helpful instructor and volunteers give me.

With repetition, I have gained so much knowledge that it is becoming a part of my routine and is becoming easier to answer and know what comes next with activities. Their patience helps so much, as I take longer to obtain information and process it, as well as longer to respond.

With help from my team, I’m able to find and participate in activities I thought were hard for me to do. Megan, our instructor, is so patient and helps me realize how resilient I am. When participating in activities, I’m not just focusing on my body but my brain too! I’m learning

colors, finding objects, and using my curiosity to complete tasks.

Affinity Ranch has helped me socialize and mirror other participants to help me become successful with Adaptive Horsemanship. Every week, I do different activities to help me get my body moving! My mama is always watching me in the arena and cheering me on from the other side.

I love my volunteers, and I love how the same people always want to come and hang out with me. It means so much to me and my family to know that our village isn’t small, but the love of this community makes me—and us—feel like I can do anything! Thank you, Affinity

Ranch!

Love always,

Miss Addie May Rose

From her Mom

Riley first came to Affinity Ranch in December of 2022 for Holiday with Horses. She brought home a brochure and it was then that I looked into getting her involved at the ranch as she has always loved animals and felt a connection with them.

Riley has been participating in the Adaptive Riding Horsemanship program at Affinity Ranch since the spring of 2023. Riley has generalized anxiety, major depressive disorder and was diagnosed right before her 18th birthday with high functioning autism. At the time she started at the ranch she came with several physical limitations as well as a significant history of mental health. We had already been through several years of various therapies, treatments and medications, none of which seemed to be helping to improve Riley’s situation. Horsemanship and equine therapy seemed to be something that was most promising and provided the most benefit for her.

She started with Jewels Maslin in the spring of 2023 and Riley immediately took a liking to her. Jewels was kind, caring and made Riley feel confident in her abilities. Those first few months just seeing the smile on Riley’s face when she was up on the horse and the way she interacted with Jewels and the others was enough to bring tears to my eyes as I watched from behind the windows.

Over the last two years Riley has progressed in her riding, gaining strength and confidence when it comes to the horses. She’s participated in two horse shows at the ranch, which has encouraged her to confront her own perfectionism, self doubts, fears and anxieties over performing and being in front of people.

Earlier this year Riley started meeting with Shelby Opel to continue to work on her mental health. Combining psychotherapy with animals is key for Riley as conventional talk therapy has not been effective for her in the past due to her diagnosis.

Riley is now 21 and it’s hard to quantify and truly explain the benefits she receives from her time there on Affinity ranch every week. All I can say is I’m so grateful for having found Jewels and now Shelby to continue supporting Riley as she navigates life’s many challenges.

Shared by his Dad

Since 2018, Andrew has been a part of the Affinity Ranch Adaptive Horsemanship Program—a place that has become much more than just a riding arena. Now 22 years old, Andrew, who has Down syndrome, has spent the past six years growing not only as a rider, but as a young man—gaining confidence, improving his communication, and building relationships that have shaped who he is today.

For Andrew, the weekly routine of riding “his” horse is more than an activity—it’s a source of structure, pride, and joy. The program has provided him with a consistent outlet where he can focus outside of his weekly routine and feel supported, especially during some of life’s toughest moments. Following the loss of his Mom, the stability of the ranch became a vital part of his healing process. The barn, the horses, and the people became a place of comfort, routine, and quiet strength when he needed it most.

A central part of Andrew’s experience has been his close relationship with Jewels Maslin, a Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI). Jewels has been a steady and positive force in Andrew’s life, blending professionalism with a deep personal connection that keeps him motivated and on task. Her strong but compassionate nature has created a trusting bond that brings out the best in him, week after week.

Through his time at Affinity Ranch, Andrew has gained so much more than the basic physical benefits of added strength, balance, dexterity but an additional sense of focus, independence, but most of all, he’s gained confidence in himself. The growth he’s experienced has extended far beyond the saddle. Whether he’s grooming a horse, practicing commands, or simply enjoying time at the barn, Andrew continues to flourish thanks to the incredible environment that Affinity Ranch provides.

His journey is a beautiful reminder of how the right support, the right people, and the right horse can make all the difference.

Shared by her Mom

Isabella began her journey with Affinity Ranch in March 2022, on her 5th birthday — her very first horseback ride. She’s now 8, and in just over three years, she has grown into a confident, joyful rider who continues to amaze us with her strength and spirit.

Isabella lives with generalized anxiety disorder, ADHD, and sensory processing disorder — challenges that impact her daily life. When we first came to the ranch, she was fearful of most animals, overwhelmed by sensory input, and struggling with emotional regulation. Interestingly, the only animal she showed an early love for was horses. That’s when I began searching for an equine therapy program and discovered Affinity Ranch.

Through adaptive horsemanship, Isabella has made tremendous progress. The ranch has helped her with emotional regulation, sensory struggles, confidence, and learning how to care for another living being. Each week, after her lesson, we see a noticeable difference in her mood and ability to regulate. Riding consistently has made a significant impact on her anxiety, and the bond she shares with a loving, understanding horse has been truly healing.

The staff at Affinity Ranch is absolutely wonderful, but I want to give a special shout-out to her riding instructor, Jewels. She has such a natural gift for working with kids — patient, encouraging, and always making each lesson both fun and educational. Under Jewels’ guidance, Isabella has blossomed — not only in her riding skills, but also in her confidence and independence.

Isabella has built connections with several horses, but her favorite horse is Friday, and she absolutely adores Petey, the mini horse.

One moment I’ll never forget was watching Isabella gather her gear, help saddle her horse, and mount up with guidance from Jewels and the incredible volunteers by her side. Even with that support, the confidence in her was incredible — she was beaming with pride, and I was too. She’s also participated in two horse shows and is always so proud to show off what she’s learned. Watching her become a little equestrian has been such a joy. And while riding, it’s been amazing to watch her learn how to trot on Friday — the determination in her face and the way she sits so tall with such astounding posture just takes my breath away. Each lesson is a reminder of how far she’s come and how supported she is by the loving community around her.

Isabella is a spicy, energetic girl who always has a new joke to share. She shines at the ranch because she feels safe, accepted, and supported. The growth we’ve seen over the past few years is nothing short of remarkable, and we are so grateful to be part of the Affinity Ranch family.