Here’s a bit about Michelle!
How long have you been volunteering at Forward Stride and why did you start?
At the beginning of 2024, I had the opportunity to work with a Career Coach and decided to focus our discussions on happiness. Despite being objectively successful in my career and life, I didn’t feel fulfilled. My coach encouraged me to reflect on past happy memories and envision my ideal life, and horses were a significant part of that picture.
I started working with horses at the age of 8 and spent a decade as a working student at a hunter/jumper facility near Eugene, OR. Horses have always been the key to my happiness and peace. However, during law school, riding became inaccessible, and I lost touch with the hobby and community.
With my coach’s encouragement and reflection, I realized that I missed spending time around horses, not just riding them. I shifted my mindset from needing to find an affordable way to ride to simply being around horses in any capacity. By expanding my search to include volunteering with horses, I found Forward Stride.
I signed up for the volunteer program and began with one Horse Care shift once a week in January 2024. Now, I am at Forward Stride 3-4 days a week, and it has been incredibly fulfilling to reconnect with my passion and contribute to such a wonderful community.
Who is your favorite horse?
Every horse at Forward Stride is special, and it’s easy to find praise for each one due to their temperaments and personalities. Since I can only highlight one, I pick Dakota.
I first interacted with Dakota while mucking his mini barn. He kept looking at me and scratching himself on the gates as if to say, “Human, look, I am itchy, I need scritches.” Naturally, I gave him scritches right where he indicated, for as long as his lip was wiggling (which was a long time). He then proceeded to follow me around the pasture, showing me all the places that needed scritches, and I happily obliged.
Not long after, I learned that I was accepted into the riding program and would be riding Dakota. I absolutely love riding him; he is eager to please and go, as long as it isn’t too hot! His Forward Stride profile indicates he has some Morgan breed in him, and I see that in his proud after-ride stance and the way he bonds deeply with his riders and caregivers. He has so much personality and communicates his desires clearly and strongly. The amount of scritches he desires and his enthusiasm at receiving them is so endearing, it’s hard not to laugh and smile at his antics.
Do you have a hobby you love to spend time on?
Besides spending time with horses, I also love making art, primarily with colored pencils. I had a goal to show my art at a local coffee shop this year after finishing a piece, but I still feel like my portfolio isn’t big enough for a show. I want to dedicate more time to art this year to grow my portfolio and learn other mediums like pastel and paint.
Additionally, I recently started playing Dungeons and Dragons, and now I play at least once a week, if not more.
What is one piece of advice you would give a new volunteer?
Forward Stride’s mission is to enhance people’s lives through equine-assisted services, and the volunteer program is an integral part of that mission. As a volunteer, you will experience learning, growth, and healing. Having volunteered at several therapeutic riding centers, I can confidently say that Forward Stride’s volunteer program is truly special.
From horse care to herd health, the volunteer opportunities here are empowering and a privilege to be a part of. It’s important for volunteers to reflect on the honor and privilege it is to be part of this program and the healing and growth we experience through our participation. Embrace the journey, and you’ll find it incredibly rewarding.