LEAD Therapeutic Riding

11/17/2025

11/11/2025

11/02/2025

Birds the Word 🎃👻

11/01/2025

Continuing the Halloween Fun 🎃

10/31/2025

🎃🐴 Happy Halloween from the funniest street in the barn — Sesame Street! 💛
Our riders and horses brought the smiles, the sparkle, and the silliness today — from Elmo’s giggles to Cookie Monster’s crumbs…🐴✨
Wishing everyone a safe, silly, and joy-filled Halloween! 💙🍪♥️🎃

10/26/2025

🌟 Big things are happening at LEAD! 🌟
We’re thrilled to welcome some awesome new guys to our volunteer team — they’ve jumped right in and are already making a difference in the arena! 🙌🐴

This fall session has been full of progress, smiles, and milestones. From riders gaining more independence to volunteers finding their stride alongside them — every moment reminds us why we love what we do. 💪💛

Here’s to teamwork, growth, and the incredible connection between horse, rider, and volunteer! 🐎✨
~ Dara🤍

10/25/2025

Since opening our doors in 2023, LEAD Therapeutic Riding has proudly served 50 children and families (and counting!), all from within our Ruidoso community.

Of course, we couldn't do it without our generous volunteers and donors who give so generously of their time and treasure to help us achieve our vision: ensuring that we are here for every child who needs us and ensuring that no family ever has to pay for these services.

We look forward to growing and making an even bigger impact, together!
you

10/25/2025

🐴 Fall Spotlight: Our Independent Riders! 🐴🍂

As the leaves change, so do our riders — growing stronger, more confident, and more independent with every session! 💪✨

This fall, we’re celebrating the amazing progress of our independent riders. From mastering new skills in the saddle to building balance, communication, and trust with their horses, their hard work and determination inspire us every day.

We’re so proud of how far each rider has come — and can’t wait to see what they’ll achieve next! 💜 ~Dara🤍

10/23/2025

LEAD Therapeutic Riding is led by a volunteer Board of Directors whose experience and advice guides our organization's planning and programming, supports our fundraising goals, and builds meaningful connections between LEAD and our community.

Johnny Salinas, LEAD's very first supporter and donor, serves as President of the Board, and we are beyond grateful to benefit from his business expertise and vision.

A veteran submariner of the United States Navy 🇺🇸, Johnny is the founder and CEO of Proactive Mechanical Systems, serving clients across the nation with advanced commercial and industrial HVAC and refrigeration systems.

A thoughtful, smart and charismatic leader, Johnny's leadership is vital to our success!

10/21/2025

Equine therapy may be new to Ruidoso but its history dates back hundreds, if not thousands, of years.

The ancient Greeks were among the first to recognize the healing relationships between humans and horses.

Therapeutic riding as we know it today traces back to Denmark in the 1940s, then expanding to England in the 1950s.

Equine therapy riding reached the United States in the 1990s.

Today there are many well-documented studies demonstrating the healing power of equine therapy on children and adults struggling with mental health issues like anxiety, depression and PTSD; overcoming behavioral and developmental delays; and building confidence and independence.

Learn more about how LEAD Therapeutic Riding is bringing these healing experiences to families in our community.

🔗 https://www.LEADtherapyriding.com

10/16/2025

THANK YOU, THANK YOU! ❤️ ❤️ ❤️

To all of the wonderful Ruidoso community leaders, LEAD Board members, LEAD riders and families, generous donors, and family and friends who came out to support our inaugural Dinner & Auction last Saturday, "THANK YOU" is too small to fully express gratitude for you!

You made our event an absolute success and helped us surpass our fundraising goal, making it possible for LEAD to continue serving children and families in need at no cost to them and to reach even more kids in our community who need us!

We look forward to sharing more photos and many more words of appreciation over the next few days.

Until then, our hearts are full, our determination resolute, and our eyes focused squarely on growing LEAD so that every child in need will find healing and hope. Thank you for your support!