“Neiko, my 30-year-old Quarter Horse, has been my partner and best friend since I met him 23 years ago. He is a gentle, playful, and trustworthy companion.
Neiko has made a big difference in my life by teaching me many lessons: horsemanship, confidence, patience, persistence, how to win a competition with good sportsmanship, and how to lose with grace. He has taught me how to get back on when I fall off and to never bring a bad mood into the barn. I’ve spent countless hours telling Neiko my troubles and letting him melt my worries away with the gentle look in his eyes and soft touch of his velvety muzzle.
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In addition to making a big difference in my own life, he also positively impacts the lives of local children with special needs. For five years, Neiko was one of two horses that participated in the Special Olympics Equestrian Team of Indiana and Armstrong Counties.
This program gave children with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to have free riding lessons and compete in horse shows at the end of each season. Neiko patiently and lovingly helped teach the children who participated on the team how to groom, tack and ride horses. He helped them gain the confidence to complete many of these tasks independently. I witnessed firsthand the gifts of joy and pride that he gave to his riders, and I’ll always treasure him for that.” –Nicole K.
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