Therapeutic Riding of Tuscaloosa

Lori was an RN with a long career that spanned 50 years,  but was convinced to come out of retirement to run the volunteer program and do outreach and intakes for TROT.  She lives in sunny Foley, and commutes to work daily via her trusty laptop.  Lori is the first voice of TROT that you will hear, and will be the one that welcomes you to the program, whether you are a client or a volunteer.  

Zoe is an important part of the program, caring for our horses every morning, as well as helping kids with lessons.  A High School senior, Zoe has been with TROT for several years and hopes to have a career with animals someday.  Together with Ginny she makes sure the horses are tuned up and ready to go, and does refresher training with them. 

A High School senior, Ginny has been with the program for several years and is now learning to teach lessons as a student instructor.  She has served as a mentor for kids, and helps to ensure our horses are well cared for in addition to her work with clients.  Together with Zoe she makes sure the horses are tuned up and ready to go, and does refresher training with them.  

A graduate of Brookwood High, Arden is a successful competitor and instructor.  She teaches many of the therapeutic riding lessons at TROT, and coaches our competition team.  Our young riders love her energy and "can do" attitude.  Many of them say they want to grow up to be just like her.  

John is our "go to " guy.  A Jack of all trades, he was in charge of building our new barn and covered arena, as well as the other buildings at TROT.  If we are short staff for a lesson, John will always volunteer to help.  When things are broken, you can hear someone say "we need John".

These two rascals are miniature horses donated by founding members Cecil and Jane Lancaster.  They pull carts as well as carry riders, and make appearances at fundraisers 

Gremlin, the "Ginuwine Pony" was made famous for leading our intrepid Tuscaloosa City Police on a two hour chase in Alberta City.  He spent his time in jail here at TROT and then was donated to our program.  He serves as ambassador, and is learning to pull a cart.

A retired barrel racing competitor, Tuff is al all around great horse.  He takes our timid beginners, and our more advanced intermediate kids, changing his pace to match his rider.  

A large pony, Patches is perfect for the smaller kids who need a safe and gentle horse.  She is also quite the competitor, winning at several shows over her more than 20 year career.

Owned by Zoe Mann and loaned to us, Lola is a refugee from a meat packer.  An amazing little horse, she carries the small, timid rider, infusing a sense of confidence and hope in everyone she meets.

So named for her colorful splattered paint coat pattern, Splatt was raised at TROT and trained by our Program Director Melanie Williams.  She is the lead mare in the herd, and is an amazing therapy horse.  She is quite headstrong, but gentle and safe.  She will teach kids to be assertive better than any other horse on the place.  

Donated by founding members Cecil and Jane Lancaster, Cash is a Racking horse.  His unique four beat gait makes him a smooth ride and an excellent therapy partner for those with physical challenges.  An attention hog, Cash is the first at the gate when he sees people arriving.

Thunder was raised at TROT.  He arrived as a baby, and was trained by our Program Director Melanie Williams.  He is our "go to" horse for Stable Moments groundwork sessions.  Always calm, understanding and willing to help kids increase their sense of self esteem, Thunder is one of the backbones of our program.  And he will do anything for a peppermint Candy.  

Donated by founding members Cecil and Jane Lancaster, Soundtrack is a retired competitor.  A Racking Horse, her unique four beat gait is wonderful for carrying riders with physical or balance issues.  She is a larger horse, capable of carrying our larger clients.  Her favorite snack is lemon cookies.  

Formerly known as a fire breathing dragon, Bailey and Melanie competed successfully for years before she retired to become a lesson and therapy horse.  Tall, graceful and beautiful, she no longer snorts unless it is feeding time.  But you better feed her first - if not you will hear her banging on her stall to demand her food.

A former barrel racer and winner of many awards, Rusty now carries our most fragile young riders.  He gently tiptoes around the arena, assisting as our more fragile little ones play games on horseback.  Rusty tolerates pretty much anything, and is a favorite at the barn.

Wyatt is a former rodeo competitor, specializing in barrel racing.  After competing  on a local and national level, he has now retired from competition to carry some of our larger riders.  Wyatt loves his riders, and knows the days they are scheduled to come.  He snorts and demands to be let out to greet them when they arrive.