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.