Nurturing Horses for a Brighter Future

A boutique rehabilitation, retraining, retirement and hospice program dedicated to giving every horse a second chance. Avalon is not a traditional horse rescue, but rather a horse oasis - a safe place horses can reconnect with their natural selves, to allow them a more solid base upon which rehabilitation, retraining, retirement and even hospice care can give them the beautiful lives they deserve. Avalon is so much more than a barn, or a rescue or a training program - it is a second chance for a life free from abuse and filled with peace.

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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.

Nurturing Horses for a Brighter Future