"I love you, Miracle!"
--Casey

Contact us:
Forward Stride
P.O. Box 19850
Portland, OR 97280
Tel: (503) 977-1717

info@forwardstride.org

If you only knew our horses - you would fall in love! They have gone through extensive training to become therapy horses and take their jobs very seriously. It takes a special kind of horse to be in the Forward Stride family and their care and well-being is of the utmost importance to us.

While, in the past we assumed it was only the humans which benefitted from the interaction with horses, a different picture is emerging from Dr. H. Marie Suthers-McCabe, Associate Professor at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. Her research indicates that the stress levels of horses in therapeutic riding classes actually drops as a result of their participation. In other words, the horses and the humans thrive at our Center!

Our amazing therapy herd includes 21 horses of all different sizes and breeds. Our horses receive professional donations from 7 veterinarians, farriers, equine massage therapists, chiropractors, acupuncturists, and rehabilitation specialists. Their contact information is below and they can speak directly to the care of our family treasures. For more information regarding horse care, please refer to the following PDF documents:

Our Equine Management Standards & Horse Care Philosophy explains all about our high standards of horse care.
Forward Stride Emergency Preparedness incorporates guidance from both the Red Cross and The Humane Society.

We receive most of our therapy horses into our program on a lease arrangement. We need all of our program horses to be sound, strong, and sweet (well okay, they can be a bit spunky). If you have a horse that you think might contribute to the Forward Stride mission, please fill out an online form and we can look at a goodness of fit.

Potential Program Horse online form. Please allow 7 business days for a response.

Our horses are each "adopted" by an exceptional veterinarian who provides care and services to them (thanks o' thanks!). These vets understand how necessary their professional contributions are to the mission of Forward Stride. So put your hoofs up and give a round of applause to these dedicated community members. We sure do!

Some of our Amazing Horses

	Miracle As Forward Stride's most senior member of the herd, Miracle is a true leader. A Welsh pony cross, his dapper personality and beautiful white coat make him a favorite with our younger riders. Miracle has been a therapeutic riding horse since 2000. His barn color is electric blue and his favorite rider is Katie, his owner. Learn more about Welsh ponies... Email Miracle: miracle@forwardstride.org		Our chiropractor is : Dr. Mark DePaolo, DVM DePaolo Equine Concepts PO Box 2833 Wilsonville, OR 97070 503.682.7532

	Lad Underneath that golden mane is a heart of gold. Lad's broad stature provides a comfortable ride for all of his riders, especially out on the trails. He is a Haflinger pony gelding and has been a therapy horse since 2001. His barn color is navy blue and his favorite riders are those who challenge his brain. He has a special place in his heart for Camie whom he loves dearly. Learn more about Haflingers... Email Lad: lad@forwardstride.org		Lad's vet is: Dr. Victor Alexander, DVM Alexander Equine Veterinary Services 2373 NW 185th Ave. PMB 710 Hillsboro, OR 97124 (503) 648.1885

	Dancer Our Tennessee Walker, Dancer, is a true Southern Gentleman. He is a charming and handsome chestnut, who enjoys the laid back Southern lifestyle. Our riders especially love to sit his run-walk and glide around the arena (without posting!). One of our bigger mounts, he is a kind, gentle, old soul and wishes to please however he can. His barn color is green and his favorite rider is Karen, his owner. Learn more about Tennessee Walkers... Email Dancer: dancer@forwardstride.org		Dancer's vet is: Dr. Barb Crabbe, DVM Dr. Jennifer Posey, DVM Pacific Crest Sporthorse PO Box 526 Beavercreek, OR 97004 (503) 632.6336

	Blesi Blesi is an Icelandic horse and while he looks just like a stuffed Velveteen pony, it's his true heart that makes him real. In fact, Blesi means "blaze" in Icelandic! He is a horse who has been there and done that, and has the patience to help his riders retrace his steps. He has been a therapeutic riding horse since 2001. His barn color is black. Learn more about Icelandic Horses... Email Blesi: blesi@forwardstride.org		Blesi's vet is: Dr. Carrie O'Brien, DVM Newberg Equine Clinic 901 Industrial Parkway Newberg, OR 97132 (503) 538.8341

	Twister Standing over 16 hands tall, Twister towers over the Forward Stride herd. Don't let his height intimidate you, he's a gentle giant with a rider on his back. His extra long stride and quick pace make him an ideal mount for our more advanced riders. He is an Appaloosa and is just beginning his therapy career. His barn color is red and his favorite rider is Heather, his owner. Learn more about Appaloosas... Email Twister: twister@forwardstride.org		Twister's vet is: Dr. Ron Friedman, DVM Friedman Veterinary Service PO Box 695 Lake Oswego, OR 97034 (503) 675.0757

	JB is such a good boy! Not only is he sensitive, graceful, and loving, but he takes his job as a therapy horse very seriously. He knows just what his job is all about and when he enters the arena he becomes a healer. He's calm and steady even with the newest little riders. A beautiful Arabian with the kindest dark brown eyes you'll ever see, he is 14.2 hands of absolute love. Learn more about Arabians...		JB's vetis: Dr. Jennifer Saunders, DVM Willamette Valley Equine 23200 NE Hubbard Cutoff Rd. NE Aurora, OR 97002 (503) 678.4225

	Rhubarb Rhubarb (or Rhu) is Flying Star Vaulter's proud vaulting horse. He is a seven-year-old Pinto-Arabian and Shire cross (imagine that). You'll notice him as the white and black alpha gelding with one blue eye and one brown. He is a horse who wants to please and learns quickly. It won't be long before he's carrying Forward Stride's Flying Star Vaulters to competitions in the Northwest and eventually the National Championships! Learn more about vaulting horses...		Our talented lameness specialist: Dr. Mark Revenaugh, DVM Northwest Equine Performance 15056 South Spangler Road Beavercreek, OR 9704 (503) 632.9151

			Our generous equine physical therapist : Michelle Michelsen Bald Peak Foaling & Rehabilitation Center 18304 NE Bald Peak Rd. Newberg, OR 97132 (503) 538-8248

			Our devoted massage therapist: Lisa Albers 7270 SW 204 Ave., #2 Aloha, OR 97007

Foward Stride Center for Therapeutic Recreation

A NARHA Premier Accredited Center