Horse of the Month: Shez Steel Smokin’ a.k.a. “Smoke”
Breed: Quarter Horse
Age: 16 years old
PATH Intl. Member Center: Hooves of Hope Equestrian Center
Location: Lancaster, KY
Shez Steel Smokin’ goes by Smoke at Hooves of Hope Equestrian Center (HHEC). She’s a beautiful buckskin Quarter Horse that is 16 years old. Before moving to HHEC to start in a career of therapeutic horseback riding, Smoke was a stellar performer in the Western Pleasure show ring. Smoke enjoys trail rides too (and always has)!
Smoke is an incredible horse. Not only is she a talented competitor and trail companion, but she is a protective and gentle teacher for our riders. Smoke is careful to maneuver around obstacles, but only when her rider asks her to move. She might be inches away from a cone and if asked to move, Smoke will carefully and slowly turn around the cone. She has a special connection with each of her riders; and all of her riders absolutely adore her! Smoke knows when to push her rider to improve and when to help her rider.
Smoke has a very special way of interacting with all her students. One in particular was exciting to watch develop as both Smoke and Danae prepared to go to Special Olympics for the first time back in October 2015. Danae had been riding Smoke all summer and was excelling. There were many moments throughout the course of her lessons in which Danae would pull too hard on the reins; or lean back too far; or something else that would not be considered good posture for riding; but never in any of those instances would Smoke react. She would simply slow down her movements and wait for Danae to correct her posture or soften her steering and then move on through the requested task. As a result of Smoke working with Danae, and helping to teach her to be a better rider, the girls won silver and bronze medals at Special Olympics! Danae was thrilled and so proud of herself! Smoke, of course, had a look about her that said “I wasn’t worried. I knew we had it in the bag! I’m an ol’ pro, ya know.”
Hooves of Hope Equestrian Center is located in Lancaster, Kentucky, overlooking the Kentucky River. HHEC provides several different programs to help improve the lives of those in our community. In addition to a therapeutic riding program, Smoke is sometimes used in EAGALA sessions with a licensed therapist and certified instructors. Regardless of what job Smoke is given, she does it gently and with care!
What’s in Smoke’s SmartPak?
SmartHoof Ultra Pellets
SmartBug-Off Pellets
SmartPak has teamed up with the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International or, PATH Intl. to recognize horses who participate in equine-assisted activities and therapies across the country. These hard-working and kindhearted horses help serve participants of all ages with a range of physical, emotional, behavioral and cognitive challenges. Horses involved in the program allow the participants to receive rewarding benefits by promoting an awareness of body, mind and spirit. The SmartPak Horse of the Month program recognizes an equine-assisted activities and therapies horse from a certified PATH Intl. center each month by sharing their story and providing one month of SmartSupplements in SmartPaks for the recipient. Nominate a special horse you know.
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