Henderson Pony Inducted Into Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association Animal Hall of Fame

Horses Are Complex Creatures

Throughout history, horses have been used by humans for transportation and recreation, but horses are not just inanimate objects that get us where we need to go. If you spend any time with them, you know they have complex emotions, deep communication skills, and an ability to sense things in people that even other humans sometimes miss.

There is evidence that horses have been used therapeutically for centuries, but it was not until the 1960s that they were formally used in more clinical settings to help individuals with neurological diseases or disorders such as cerebral palsy, movement disorders, and balance problems.

Every Horse Has a Personality

Horses come in all shapes and sizes, and they also come with very distinct personalities. I have two horses, and they could not be more different.
My daughter’s thoroughbred, Graycie, is energetic, sweet-natured, impatient, and she loves to work. She will follow you in from the field at the slightest chance she might get to go barrel racing or jumping. My horse, Tucker, is lazy, easy to handle, incredibly patient, and would rather stand in the field eating all day. My daughter loves a challenge. I like having a couch with hooves.

Get our free mobile app

Healing Reins and the Power of Equine Assisted Services

Stacy Denton is the owner of Blue Moon Stables in Henderson and the lead instructor with Healing Reins of Kentucky. She is a PATH Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor who helps people of all abilities through equine-assisted services. The mission of Healing Reins is to assist individuals with all abilities meet their full potential through interaction with horses.

For years, Stacy felt a strong pull to offer certified lessons to people who needed horses in their lives but could not afford the cost of riding lessons on top of conventional therapies.

At Healing Reins, the staff offers group outreach programs and a mobile experience program with their two mini horses, Rocky and Spud. Their main focus, though, is teaching adaptive horsemanship to build confidence, strength, improve motor skills, and so much more.

Meet Noir, the Pony Who Changed Lives

With all the good work being done at Healing Reins, people have taken notice of both the nonprofit and one horse in particular.

When Stacy bought a little black pony for her daughter 21 years ago, she had no idea he would become such a celebrity. Noir started out as her daughter Meredith’s show pony. Together, they competed in cross-country jumping, dressage, and other disciplines until Meredith outgrew him.

The Curse of the Pony

If you know anything about ponies, you know two things. Most ponies have a little angel sitting on one ear and a little devil sitting on the other, and you never know which one they will listen to at any given moment. The other is the "curse of the pony." Their shorter stature makes them safer for kids to start on, but kids also grow out of them, and ponies are often passed from family to family.

When Noir’s time with Meredith came to an end, Stacy knew she wanted to keep him forever, even if he listened to the little devil occasionally. The family leased him out for other kids to learn and show on, and he eventually became a lesson pony. When Stacy started Healing Reins, she knew immediately he would stand out in the program.

“Noir was one of my first Healing Reins lesson horses when I started it eight years ago. His personality makes him special. He has big eyes and a lively attitude, and he is accepting of many different emotional expressions. He does not ignore people. He is inquisitive and gives them feedback by nudging them. He pulls them into a conversation with him. His size also makes him less intimidating for both kids and adults.”

Noir Isn't Stopping Anytime Soon

At 35, Noir is considered an older equine, though ponies tend to live longer. Stacy knows him well enough to know that he likes having a job and feeling useful.
When someone enters the adaptive horsemanship program, it is important to her that they take ownership of working with the horses. It gives the horse a sense of purpose, but it also gives the clients a sense of usefulness and belonging. They are wanted. They are needed.

“We want them to get a feel for what it takes to care for a horse and understand that they are that horse’s person for the day.”

The relationship between the horse and person is symbiotic. They need each other.

A Gentle Teacher With Incredible Patience

Stacy shared how patient Noir is with people who have movement disorders. One of the biggest challenges for riders with erratic movements is mounting the horse. Noir seems to instinctively understand when someone is struggling and is incredibly steady as they work through it. She said he is not always quite as patient with typical riders, but he is always a gentleman with friends who need extra patience when they mount.

She also told me about another rider who struggled with selective mutism. When she first started coming to Healing Reins, she would only speak to her parents and grandparents. Stacy worked with the young lady's parents to come up with a plan, and what they discovered was as good as it could get.

When she was riding Noir, his presence gave her the confidence to speak. It began with answering simple questions, like “What color is your pony?” and evolved into something truly special. By the time she graduated from the program, she was jumping horses with full confidence. Today, the young lady volunteers with an equine-assisted therapy program and hopes to become a therapeutic riding instructor.

A Prestigious Honor for a Very Special Pony

This year, Noir received a prestigious honor. He lives with equine metabolic disorder, commonly known as Cushing’s disease. While it can be managed, it requires careful attention to diet, exercise, and regular veterinary care.

Noir’s veterinarian, Dr. Hillary Henson, has been part of his life for many years and has seen firsthand the impact he has had on countless people. She nominated him for the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association Animal Hall of Fame, and Healing Reins announced last week that Noir was officially inducted.

Healing Reins shared a heartfelt post celebrating his life and legacy, including reflections from Dr. Henson, who described Noir as steady, wise, and deeply intuitive.

Consider Supporting Healing Reins of Kentucky

As the year comes to a close, Stacy hopes Noir’s story inspires people to think about end-of-year giving. Programs like Healing Reins rely on donations to keep their programs accessible for families who need them most.

Every contribution helps care for the horses, support certified instructors, and make sure riders can continue to experience the confidence, healing, and connection that happens in the saddle.

Noir’s legacy is not just the lives he has already touched, but the many more he will reach through the generosity of those who believe in the quiet power of equines to change lives.

READ MORE: Former Ellis Park Racehorse Finds New Life in Equine Assisted Services