Equine Partners

LoveWay is home to a herd of exceptional horses who are specially trained to make compassionate connections with our riders. 

Meet the LoveWay Herd

Therapy horses are incredible. They are patient, tolerant, good humored, well trained, and sound both mentally and physically. As you can imagine, these animals are very hard to come by, so once we get them on our team, we try our hardest to keep them happy, healthy, and here! Their well-being is our top priority. Learn more about our very special horses below!

Shanna

1994 Morgan/Quarter Horse
Cross Mare

Joined LoveWay: June 2008

Color: Liver Chestnut

Donated by: Emie & Ellen Lehman

Junior

2003 Appendix Quarter Horse Gelding

Joined LoveWay: March 2014

Color: Seal Brown

Sponsored at Derby Day 2023 by:
Matt Arnold

Elsa

2005 Haflinger Mare

Joined LoveWay: November 2015

Color: Flaxen Chestnut

Sponsored at Derby Day 2023 by:
Patrick

Teddy

2005 Draft Cross Gelding

Joined LoveWay: November 2018

Color: Bay Roan

Sponsored at Derby Day 2023 by:
David & Karen Smith III

Lucky

2008 Haflinger Mare

Joined LoveWay: February 2019

Color: Light Chestnut

Sponsored at Derby Day 2023 by:
Sandy Weatherwax

Dolly

2006 Morgan/Belgian Cross Mare

Joined LoveWay: March 2019

Color: Chestnut

Sponsored at Derby Day 2023 by:
Ranger Distribution

Pam

2004 Percheron Mare

Joined LoveWay: July 2019

Color: Black

Ranger

2004 Quarter Horse/Standardbred Cross Gelding

Joined LoveWay: August 2020

Color: Bay

Leased by: Daniel Whetstone

Sponsored at Derby Day 2023 by:
Tina & Hans Ashbaugh

Otto

2016 Paint Gelding

Joined LoveWay: January 2021

Color: Paint

Sponsored at Derby Day 2023 by:
Welch Packaging

Eva

2003 Fjord Mare

Joined LoveWay: February 2021

Color: Dun

Sponsored at Derby Day 2023 by:
Lippert

Milo

2009 Paint Gelding

Joined LoveWay: October 2021

Color: Medicine Hat

Sponsored at Derby Day 2023 by:
Lakota

Andy

2008 Quarter Horse Gelding

Joined LoveWay: May 2022

Color: Bay

Miss

2014 American Paint Mare

Joined LoveWay: May 2022

Color: Chestnut & White Paint

Sponsored at Derby Day 2023 by:
Community Foundation of Elkhart County

Buttercup

2016 Paint Mare

Joined LoveWay: July 2022

Color: Chestnut & White Paint

Sponsored at Derby Day 2023 by:
Winnebago Towables

Bo

2008 Paint Gelding

Joined LoveWay: March 2023

Color: Sorrel and White Paint

Sponsored at Derby Day 2023 by:
Todd Cleveland

Babe

2014 Quarter Horse/Appaloosa Cross Mare

Joined LoveWay: December 2022

Color: Chestnut

Sponsored at Derby Day 2023 by:
Viaggio

Miko

2006 Miniature Horse Gelding

Joined LoveWay: October 2022

Color: Chestnut and White Pinto

Sponsored at Derby Day 2023 by:
Thor

Buster

2020 Quarter Horse Gelding

Joined LoveWay: July 2023

Color: Bay

Molly

2018 Quarter Horse Mare

Joined LoveWay: July 2023

Color: Sorrel

Do you know LoveWay’s next equine partner?

Do you know of a horse that would be a good fit for our herd? We are always seeking equine partners that are donated, leased or otherwise gifted to LoveWay.

Learn more about what we’re looking for in our herd below.

Age & Conformation

Age: 7+ years old

Gender: Geldings & mares accepted

Soundness & Conformation: Our horses work hard! They need to be reliably sound with no history of chronic illness or injury. They need a free-moving, rhythmic stride at the walk, trot, and canter. Movement is so important to our riders.

Personality & Temperament

Our ideal horses have a “take it all in stride” attitude.

They should be calm and quiet for grooming in cross-ties, tacking, mounting, and should be patient while they are working. We stop and stand frequently during class while riders complete activities or games. We also frequently conduct our lead-line classes with side-walkers on both sides of the horse to support the rider.

LoveWay’s ideal horses should react positively to children and adults, women and men.

Horses should be comfortable in a busy environment where they will interact with many people of all abilities, levels of horse experience, and levels of energy.

TRAINING & BACKGROUND

Successful LoveWay horses come from all backgrounds!

Horses who have excelled in our programs have been 4-H mounts, lesson ponies, show horses, and more!

We have found that horses who have had a variety of experiences tend to be most comfortable in our busy barn.

OUR HORSES ARE OUR HEART.

The growth in our arena wouldn’t be possible without the compassionate connection that happens between horses and our riders.

Have a horse in mind?

Reach out to LoveWay’s Equine Director using our online form so we can learn more about whether the horse would be a good fit for our program.