Equine Oasis offering rehabilitation, retraining, retirement & hospice
A boutique program for horses and humans, to reconnect with nature and decompress in order to heal
Meet the Avalon Horses Team
Sonya
Sonya is the Founder and Director of Avalon Horses. She is an experienced rider who has been riding all her life and trained and competed on the NW Eventing Circuit under Kim Novak.
Sonya specializes in working with physically and emotionally challenged horses, doing whatever it takes to bring them back to their best selves, as well as caring for injured and hospice horses to ensure they are given the very best treatment and care, whatever that may entail.
Gary
Gary is the backbone of Avalon Horses - truly the man of many talents. Gary's ability to create a genuine connection with each and every Avalon horse is awe-inspiring and allows him to have special and deep relationships with each and every horse.
Gary specializes in working with Avalon's "foster kids" - those horses that have come to Avalon when their former owners either could not or would not care for them any longer. These foster horses have their baggage and individual issues, but Gary is able to connect with each one in a heartfelt and honest way, enabling him to facilitate rehabilitation and/or retraining and give them their best chances at finding that "fur-ever" home.
Dakota
Dakota "Kota" brings to Avalon years of horse knowledge, training and expertise. Kota grew up on a farm, learning how to care for and train all types of horses, from leadline ponies to Amish carriage horses, from barrel racers to hunters - no matter the horse, no matter the discipline, Kota brings her wealth of knowledge, her calm mind and cool hand, allowing her to work with even the most difficult cases.
Kota specializes taking the Avalon horses to the next level of their training. Laying a strong dressage foundation, then moving on to ranch and trail work, in hand liberty training and ground work, all in an effort to allow each and every Avalon horse develop the minds, bodies and skills necessary to find their best "fur-ever" homes.
Christine
Christine is also a life-long horse girl, that has been riding and competing all her life. Christine has a unique ability to "talk" with the horses and connect with them on a very deep and real level, allowing her to then work with them on their emotional, physical and/or training issues.
Christine specializes in rehabilitating injured horses - at times extremely injured. Her steady learned hand and breadth of knowledge and experience give her the right combination of skills to facilitate healing of even the deepest of wounds.
Ashley
Ashley is our "pony whisperer" - taking these tiny equines under her wings and into her heart. Ashley's soft hands and gentle nature are just what these little ones need in order to heal properly, regain their trust in humans and rediscover their happy, silly little selves.
Ashley's patient and caring nature enables her to work with even the most scared ponies - to teach them to trust again and in turn allow them to heal, emotionally and physically.
Kim
Kim has returned to horses after taking a break to build her human family and Avalon is overjoyed that we are the program she chose to return to. Kim brings to Avalon a wealth of knowledge and expertise, particularly in dealing with the "problem children" of the horse world. Kim's training and experience in working with some of the more difficult horses, and understanding that it is because of their experiences, not their nature, that they are acting badly, gives Kim a unique perspective and special set of skills.
Kim also brings to Avalon her human kiddos! A welcome addition to the Avalon family, these pint-sized riders put our ponies and horses to the test - to ensure that every horse available for adoption is a safe as can be, around every type of rider, including the little ones.
Anna
Anna comes to Avalon as a recent transplant from Maryland where she retired as a show jumper. As a highly experienced and formally trained rider, Anna brings a set of skills to Avalon that allows her to work with even our most green horses.
Anna's ability to connect with the horses in the Avalon herd that have come from high stress backgrounds such as show jumping, racing and rodeo, is invaluable. Her training and experience allow Anna to speak to these highly strung and often times damaged horses, thereby enabling them to retrain and rehabilitate in order to find their "furever" homes.
Deanna
Deanna is a respiratory therapist by trade, but a horse whisperer in her heart. Deanna brings years of experience, and training but more importantly, an unfailing love of horses.
A former show jumper, Deanna has the skills, knowledge and courage to work with some of the largest and most emotionally damaged horses at Avalon. Her steady hand and unwavering dedication make her a valuable asset to the Avalon team.
Hoofbeats & Happiness
