Thistle’s Promise

05/16/2026

Session 2 for Raffieu and his younger brother. Today the boys spent the first part of their time with us painting horse shaped sun catchers and then they both got to ride Thistle. During their riding time, we worked on following directions while balancing on the horse. Torin (Michaela’s niece) was there to show them what to do such as, hand on head, touch the horse, etc. By the end of Raffieu’s ride, he was saying “head” and “neck” and touching his head on his own without needing any physical assistance. We just love seeing the positive impact this is having on them both already.

Thank you to Debrah Barnes Foley for your donation of the sun catchers they were a hit!

05/06/2026

We officially have a website!!! Check it out 🧡🧡

Thistle’s Promise is a calm, one-on-one equine-assisted program. Helping children build confidence, connection, and emotional well-being in a supportive, low-pressure environment.

04/26/2026

The highlight of our weekend was spending time with Reign and Raffieu. All of the horses were on their best behavior and the kids really seemed to thrive around them. Thank you Ameire Martin for trusting us with your boys, you’ve done an incredible job with them both.

04/25/2026

Such a beautiful morning at Thistle’s Promise with Raffieu and Reign. Raffieu was quite nervous when he first got on Thistle but as soon as he started walking, you could instantly see the calmness come over him and his smile start to show. Yes, there were a few tears shed. THIS is why we started this program. Moments like this 🧡.

04/22/2026

Ollie is a 7-year-old Quarter Horse with a sensitive heart and a very bright future.

Favorite thing to do: follow his “mini human” everywhere.

Favorite treat: Molasses treats

Ollie is the newest addition to our family, making the journey all the way from Ohio. He’s a sensitive soul who is learning that the world doesn’t always have to feel fast or overwhelming.

Ollie is incredibly talented and eager to please, especially under saddle—where he truly shines as a well-behaved and responsive partner for both his adult mom and mini mom.

While he isn’t part of the program just yet, Ollie is an important piece of its future. After experiencing a lot of intense training and a big move, he’s spending the next few months decompressing, we’re giving him the time he needs to build trust, feel secure, and understand that humans can be gentle and safe. And when he’s ready, we have no doubt he will become one of the most incredible partners in our program.

🤎 Why He Matters:
He reminds us that growth doesn’t have to be rushed—and that sometimes, the most important work happens in the quiet moments.

04/18/2026

Meet The Horse: Jack is a 7-year-old Draft horse with a soft heart, a steady mind, and a love for all things cozy and calm.

Favorite thing to do: get scratches behind his ears.

Favorites treat: carrots and apples.

Jack joined our family almost a year ago and quickly filled a space we didn’t even realize was missing. He was one of the most green out of our horses but with lots of consistency and training he has now become the go-to horse when you need dependable calmness and trust.

Out of all our horses, he might just be the most affectionate—always seeking out attention and never turning down a chance to be close to his people.

Why He Matters:
His gentle, snuggly nature and willingness to connect make him such a special part of our program. He reminds us that growth takes time—but with patience and care, something truly wonderful can emerge.

04/15/2026

Meet The Horses: Mosby is a 7-year-old Percheron, Quarter Horse, and Draft cross with a big presence and an even bigger heart.

Favorite thing to do: people watch outside of his stall window (aka beg everyone walking past to give him a treat).

Favorite Treat: Carrots and apples (but in reality… he’ll eat just about anything!)

Mosby joined us about a year and a half ago, making his journey all the way from Kansas. From the moment he arrived, he exceeded every expectation we had—and then some.

Mosby lives life at his own slow, easy pace. While he may look like a cranky old man sometimes, don’t let that fool you—he’s one of the kindest, most gentle souls you’ll ever meet.

Despite his extra-large size, Mosby has an incredible awareness about him. He instinctively knows when to be calm, careful, and soft—especially around children. His patience and quiet presence make him someone you instantly feel safe around.

Why He Matters: His calm energy, patience, and gentle nature make him an irreplaceable part of our program—and a favorite among everyone who meets him.

04/13/2026

Meet the Horses: Thistle is a 24-year-old Quarter Horse with the gentlest soul and the biggest heart.

Favorite Things:
• Spending time with children
• Making friends with any small animal he meets
• Going on little “adventures” with his brother, Trouble

Favorite Treat: Ginger snaps (his absolute favorite!)

His Story: Thistle is the heart behind our program—the reason it exists. He came into our lives when we learned of a horse in need, planned to be euthanized. We couldn’t let his story end there.

When Thistle first arrived, he was unsure of people and disconnected from the world around him. But with patience, kindness, and time, he began to change.

Today, Thistle is a completely different horse. He seeks out human connection, enjoys the company of his horsey friends, and is always ready to sneak out for his next little adventure.

Why He Matters: Thistle reminds us that every life deserves a second chance. His journey is a beautiful example of trust, healing, and transformation—and it’s what inspired us to create this program.

He now does what he does best: helping others feel safe, seen, and loved.

04/13/2026

Just reminiscing on Leah’s visit with us at Thistle’s Promise this weekend. Seeing how happy and calm the horses make her makes us even more confident on how impactful this program will be. We can’t wait to have her out to the barn again soon.

04/12/2026

Today at Thistle’s Promise we had two ADORABLE girls, Emmy and Maddy, come hangout with us. They started off the morning helping us get Mosby’s hair all beautiful with some scrunchies and then got to do some pony rides on Thistle. We ended the morning making some yummy alfalfa mash for all of the Thistle’s Promise horses 🧡.