✨ It’s happening… and it’s going to be unforgettable ✨
We’re beyond excited to announce the 2026 Ponies with Purpose Gala — and this year, we’re gathering somewhere truly special…
📍 @sanctuarygolfcourse
📅 September 10, 2026 
This is more than a beautiful evening.
It’s a night dedicated to expanding access to life-changing equine-assisted services.
We’re inviting our community and partners to be part of it.
🐴 Sponsorships are now open
🎁 We’re seeking silent and live auction items
Whether you’re a business, a donor, or someone who believes in this work, there’s a place for you here.
Last year, this evening brought people together in a powerful way, helping expand programs that are already changing lives.
If you’ve been looking for a way to get involved, this is it.
📩 [email protected]
Let’s build something incredible together.
#PoniesWithPurpose #AffinityRanch #ColoradoEvents #NonprofitGala #CommunityImpact
In March 2022, she came to the ranch at just 5 years old.
New environments felt overwhelming. Big feelings took courage to navigate. Trust took time.
Over the next four years, she learned to pause, breathe, regulate, and move through fear at her own pace.
Regulation came before independence.
Along the way, she found a place where she feels safe, supported — and where she belongs.
Now, in January 2026, at 8 years old, she rides without a horse leader or side walkers.
Not because it was easy.
Not because it was fast.
But because she was given time, patience, and a safe place to grow.
She didn’t just learn how to ride.
She learned she can do hard things. ☀️🐴
#UnbridledPossibilities #HealingThroughHorses #EquineAssistedTherapy #ConfidenceInTheSaddle #HereComesTheSun
May Client Spotlight 💛 Meet Kyle
Therapeutic riding has been part of Kyle’s life since he was just 5 years old, and now at 33, it continues to be one of the most important and joyful parts of his week.
After many years riding in the Denver area, Kyle eventually found his way to Praying Hands Ranch, now Affinity Ranch, where he continues to thrive through Adaptive Horsemanship.
Born with Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome, Kyle has faced challenges impacting his mobility, communication, balance, and development. When he was younger, one of the goals of riding was simply to help strengthen his body and support movement.
Today, Kyle can take independent steps and walk with support, something his family believes riding played a major role in making possible. Riding continues to help him maintain strength, flexibility, balance, and overall well being.
But the impact goes far beyond the physical.
When asked if he’s ready to ride, Kyle’s eyes light up immediately. Though non verbal, his smiles, laughter, and joyful expressions say everything. He has formed meaningful connections with instructors, volunteers, and especially longtime volunteer Mr. Phil, who Kyle always looks forward to seeing.
For Kyle, riding provides something unique and accessible in ways many other activities are not.
Connection. Confidence. Joy. Independence.
And for his family, Affinity Ranch has become so much more than a riding program. It has become a community where relationships are built, support is shared, and both riders and families feel understood.
As Kyle’s mom shared, “As a mother, forever raising a child with profound disabilities who has now moved into adulthood, I am deeply thankful for the blessing of the Affinity Ranch riding program for Kyle.”
“Affinity Ranch has become an extremely important constant in Kyle’s life, and in our family’s life as well.” 💛
We’re honored to be part of Kyle’s journey and grateful to have families like his as part of the Affinity Ranch community.
Read Kyle’s full spotlight story here: /client-spotlight
#ClientSpotlight #AdaptiveHorsemanship #AffinityRanch #UnbridledPossibilities #InclusionMatters
Healing happens close to home. 💛
This May, we’re honored to join the 2026 @horsesformentalhealth Campaign alongside nonprofits around the world sharing the healing power of horses and support for mental health.
Your support helps care for both the individuals we serve and the horses who stand beside them.
Donate today to help more individuals experience the healing power of horses. 💛
🔗 /campaigns/affinity-ranch/
(Link is also in our bio.)
#HorsesForMentalHealth #AffinityRanch #MentalHealthAwareness #HealingWithHorses
🏒🐴 AVS WIN IN OVERTIME!!! 🏔️❄️
Buck believed the whole time. ❤️💙
The playoff nerves were real in the barn tonight, but the Avs pulled it off in overtime and Buck is clearly ready for the next round of stress… we mean hockey. 😅
Nothing brings Colorado together quite like playoff hockey.
LET’S GO AVS! 🙌🏼
#GoAvsGo #ColoradoAvalanche #StanleyCupPlayoffs #AffinityRanch #HorsePower
✨ Please join us in welcoming Tobi Cates to the Affinity Ranch Board of Directors! ✨
Tobi brings more than 25 years of experience supporting mission-driven work across disability services, workforce development, and community programs. She began her career in Special Education and later served for more than a decade as the Administrator of the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services, where she focused on Vocational Rehabilitation and strengthening school-to-work pathways for individuals with disabilities.
Growing up on a cattle ranch in northern Wyoming, horses have always been part of Tobi’s life. Now, as a volunteer at Affinity Ranch, she continues that connection while supporting a mission centered on inclusion, healing, and the powerful bond between humans and animals.
Her leadership, experience, and heart for this work will help us continue expanding access and opportunity for the individuals and families we serve.
We’re so grateful to welcome Tobi to our board and community. 💛🐴
#AffinityRanch #BoardOfDirectors #EquineTherapy #MentalHealthMatters #CommunityImpact
Did you know spending time with horses can help lower stress, build emotional awareness, and create a sense of calm? 💕
Studies continue to highlight the powerful impact horses can have on emotional wellbeing, connection, and regulation — and sometimes it starts in the quietest moments.
A gentle touch. A calm presence. A moment of trust between horse and human. 🐴
At Affinity Ranch, we witness the healing power of these connections every day.
#AffinityRanch #HealingWithHorses #EquineTherapy #MentalHealthMatters #HorseHumanConnection
This Mother’s Day, we honor the strength of mothers and the courage it takes to navigate grief, loss, hard decisions, and life’s many challenges — while also celebrating the beautiful moments of joy, growth, and connection along the way. 💙
At Affinity Ranch, we are proud to provide equine-assisted mental health and wellness services for individuals and families in our community. Every day, we see the healing power of horses and the safe space they create for people to feel seen, supported, and understood.
In this new @horsesformentalhealth campaign video, mothers bravely share their stories and how connection with horses helped them find hope and healing when nothing else seemed to work.
Please help us spread awareness by sharing this video, and if you would like to support this work, you can donate through the link in our bio.
Thank you to @zoetisequine , founding sponsor of the Horses for Mental Health campaign, for supporting both the programs and the horses at the heart of this work. 🐴
And to all the mothers, caregivers, and nurturers in our community — thank you for all that you do. Happy Mother’s Day. ✨
#HorsesForMentalHealth #MothersDay #MentalHealthAwareness #EquineTherapy #AffinityRanch
Some of the most powerful moments at the ranch happen quietly.
A hand held a little tighter.
A proud smile from the rail.
A deep breath after a hard day.
Behind so many of those moments is a mother, grandmother, bonus mom, chosen mom, caregiver, or someone offering unconditional love and support. 💚
Today, we honor you. Happy Mother’s Day from all of us at Affinity Ranch. 🐴🌷
#MothersDay #AffinityRanch #HealingThroughHorses #EquineTherapy #ParkerCO
May Volunteer Spotlight 💛 Meet Rosanna Kelly
Rosanna first volunteered with Praying Hands Ranch years ago, but while balancing full time work and long on call hours, she simply didn’t have the time she wished she could give.
Even then, she knew she wanted to return one day.
Now retired, she’s found her way back to the ranch, and volunteering at Affinity Ranch has become something deeply fulfilling. From spending time with the horses to connecting with fellow volunteers and instructors, she says everyone has been welcoming and supportive from the very beginning.
Rosanna enjoys staying active, and all the walking around the ranch is an added bonus, but what means the most to her is supporting the clients who always brighten her day.
“I always leave the ranch with a happy heart.”
When it comes to favorite horses, Rosanna says Lilly and Shawnee hold a special place in her heart because of their calm and dependable nature.
Outside of the ranch, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, being outdoors, and hiking with her dog.
We’re so grateful for the kindness, care, and joy Rosanna brings to the ranch 💛
#VolunteerSpotlight #AffinityRanch #UnbridledPossibilities #CommunityMatters #GiveBack
🎉 We are honored to share that Affinity Ranch has been awarded a 2026 Community Grant from the Parker Chamber Foundation 💛
This funding will support the care of our therapy horses, who make it possible for youth and families in the Parker community to access equine-assisted mental health and adaptive services close to home.
We are incredibly grateful to the @parkercochamber and the Parker Days Festival for investing back into local nonprofits and helping strengthen our community.
Thank you for believing in the healing power of horses and the work happening here at Affinity Ranch 🐴
#AffinityRanch #ParkerCO #EquineTherapy #MentalHealthMatters #CommunitySupport
