Monthly Boredom:

Hello everyone, a little play on words. We would like to update you on the Board of Director (BOD) activities. We hope you find this interesting, as it will be written in a less formal manner, i.e., less boredom. Our normal BOD minutes are always available if you would like to review them.

Last month, our first 2026 session began on March 16th. A reminder, all of our classes are scheduled in blocks we call sessions. They take place over five consecutive weeks, are pre-scheduled for the entire calendar year, and are consistent for all programs.

Our office received a fresh coat of paint, thanks to Jose Mata at M&S Painting. We were allowed to make a presentation to the Prescott Noon Lions Club, thank you! Overall, most of our off-season facility projects were completed. Thanks to all the volunteers who helped out. Our staff job descriptions, and the new organizational structure are nearly complete. Hiring is going well. YTD Financials look good; our cash position is better than in past years.

The Brave Hearts event is scheduled, and the planning is progressing well. Mark your calendars for June 13, 2026. This event honors the Veterans, Active Military, and First Responders in our community. Lastly, to establish the foundation and recruitment strategy for a new Executive Director (ED), our Board of Directors (BOD) aims for this ED to be a defining legacy hire—an ED who will serve for many years, enabling our organization to continue achieving remarkable accomplishments.

I hope you enjoyed the recap, and it wasn’t too boring. If you have any feedback, I am happy to listen.

miataracer55@gmail.com or 949.637.0133

Board and Staff Member Spotlight
Jonathan King, Vice President

Jonathan King is a leadership coach and consultant who works with organizational leaders, including city managers and public-sector leaders, to strengthen leadership effectiveness and organizational clarity. Through his business, Signature Leadership, he partners with executives and leadership teams to address real-world leadership challenges, develop people, and build healthy organizational cultures.

Jonathan holds a Master’s degree in Leadership from Grand Canyon University’s Ken Blanchard School of Business and serves as an adjunct professor in Northern Arizona University’s Strategic and Transformational Leadership program. He received his coaching certification from the International Coaching Federation in 2016. He presently serves as Vice President of the Board for Horses with Heart. Jonathan and his wife Jenifer have four sons and three granddaughters.

Sutton and Landry have been HwH participants since 2020. Both of them volunteer and ride on the competition team.

Volunteer Of The Month - SUSAN PAETZ

Susan jumped right in from orientation last year with a yes and can do spirit! She is on three SST teams, the Supplement team, and Grooming and Mucking teams. Susan joined our Volunteer and Sequins & Saddles Committees and worked hard handling multiple jobs the night of our Gala. She has since taken a co-lead position launching our Heart & Hoof Mercantile store and helps out in our office as well. Susan’s prior volunteer experience and willing heart help make Horses with Heart thrive. Thank you Susan!
1.    How long have you been with Horses with Heart?
I moved to Dewey from Phoenix in January 2025, and it was my pleasure to start volunteering in April 2025–so we’re celebrating my 1 year anniversary @ Horses with Heart!
2.      Why do you volunteer at HWH?
My love affair with horses started as a 6-year old with a horse named Big Red, who made a big impression on me. During the COVID epidemic I began serving with two therapy ranches in Phoenix and became a volunteer for a PATH riding program. The clients were amazing and I was truly blessed to participate in their healing process. The horses and the riders have enriched my life. I was eager to plug into a therapy ranch when we relocated last year. It has been a privilege to be so welcomed by the awesome staff and fabulous volunteers at Horses with Heart. I feel like family here.
3.      What is your favorite memory?
My favorite memory is of one of our riders learning to change his energy so that he could get his horse to trot around the arena. His victory smile was blinding and I cherish being an encourager of his success.
4.      What would you share with new volunteers?
When you are nervous, remember to stop and take some deep calming breaths.   If you are angry, annoyed or upset, take a break away from the horses until you’re calm and peaceful. Try always to be teachable and you will learn something valuable every day. I look forward to meeting all of you!

Recaps on the March Trainings

Over 20 volunteers joined our General Horse Handler Training on 02/28. Some of the skills that were taught were how to halter a tall horse, handle a “grass diver”, lunge, turnout, tack and lead a horse through the ramp. We want to thank our lead volunteers and Instructors for sharing their knowledge and skills for this training.

On 03/05, we had about 10 volunteers join Dwayne Toombs and Sherry Hoover to learn how to perform ramp mounts, both over the crest and croup; mounts and dismounts with independent and supported riders; and how to perform emergency dismounts. Everyone was able to get hands-on for each type of mount and dismount. These skills are so important to be able to help riders in our Therapeutic classes stay safe!

Session 2 begins the week of May 4th:

We are starting enrollment for Session 2 - beginning the week of May 4th. If you are interested in more information about our programs available, therapeutic, recreational, mounted, or on the ground, please contact Aireal Dallam at hwhprograms@gmail.com .

Arizona Charitable Tax Credit Program

There are still a few days remaining to take advantage of the Arizona Tax Credit Program. Contributions can be made until April 15, 2026, to receive credit toward your 2025 Arizona tax liability. After that, you can make donations and use the credit toward your 2026 Arizona tax liability.

Horses with Heart (HwH) is a qualified charity in the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit Program (Arizona Tax Credit QCO Code: 20347). The state of Arizona provides an incredible incentive for taxpayers who donate to certain qualifying charities like Horses with Heart. Thanks to the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit, you can donate up to $495 per person, or $987 if filing jointly, to a qualifying charity and receive a credit toward your 2025 Arizona tax liability, dollar-for-dollar.

This program has endless income opportunities for Horses with Heart. We are encouraging state taxpayers to contribute to Horses with Heart to support our programs, participants, and the care of our horses

DONATE

Marvelous Minis Update

The Minis made their first 2026 visit to Granite Gate Assisted Living on March 3rd. I’m sure it will be the first of many visits to this facility as we are asked back often. Brady, the Mini Donkey, and Remi were the featured Minis for that visit.

On March 11 we had a Miniature Equine handler training for over 20 current and new volunteers to the program. Rocky, Pirate, Liberty, Frosty, Brady, Dance and Fire took center stage for this fun time to meet and greet the Minis.

Rocky is back at HwH now. He looked quite spiffy for his homecoming as Lisa Cuthbertson had given him a bath and trimmed his belly hair that had grown to 6-inches-long over the winter!

Our Marvelous Minis visits to senior living facilities and special needs classrooms are far more than simple outings. They create moments of joy, connection, and comfort that truly matter. We’ve all seen the smiles, the laughter, the quiet emotional breakthroughs—those interactions that remind us why this program is so special.

And yes, it’s also fun. There’s nothing quite like watching a room light up when our Minis walk in, or sharing in the laughter their charming personalities evoke. These moments bring as much joy to us as they do to those we visit.

Mary Smith

Rocky after bath and belly hair trim.jpg

SAVE THE DATE! ~ Prescott Rodeo Parade

We will be participating in the Prescott Rodeo Parade again this year! Our Entry is entitled “Freedom in Every Stride - Independence through Therapeutic Riding”. The Parade is Saturday, July 4th, and we will need lots of help on the day of the parade and with the planning process.

Heart & Hoof Mercantile is Open!

As you enter the HwH office, you will hopefully notice some big improvements made over the winter break. One of them being our merchandise area, now called, Heart & Hoof Mercantile. There are new designs and items available, some may be limited edition. If you do not see your size or have a color preference, please let us know as we continue to increase our desired selections.

Barn Buddies

Being a Barn Buddy is a great way to ensure that your equine buddies are happy and healthy. All donations made through the Barn Buddy program go towards horse care: veterinary care; feed; supplements; bedding; blankets; and other horse care expenditures which benefit our entire herd. This donation can be made in any amount and once or recurring. Your donation will benefit our entire herd.

Visit our site by clicking the button below.

BE A BUDDY

Competition Team Update:

The Team is hard at work, getting ready for the May 2nd horse show at CVEP. We have 10 riders this year, many of them getting used to new horses and learning new skills. We still practice on Saturday mornings and invite you all to come out and see what we are working on.

For those who would like to Sponsor the team, $100 gets your name on our shirts and banner, deadline is April 1st. You can call Pam 928-899-4759 or mail your check (with a note “Team Sponsorship”) to get added to the list. Thank you all for your support!