We want to be honest with you — our nonprofit is in a tough spot. Right now, we’re facing a $5,000 funding gap that must be closed by October 3rd in order to keep providing the services and programs our community counts on.

This isn’t easy to share. Asking for help never is. But the truth is, we’ve seen time and time again that when our community comes together, amazing things happen. And we believe that will be true now, too.

The good news? We’re not standing still. We have a plan in place to move forward stronger, and you can be part of it through three exciting fundraisers happening right now:
Bourbon Raffle – Tickets go on sale October 1st. A fun way to give back and maybe win big! (We still need bottles & sponsors)
Adopt-A-Horse – Symbolically sponsor one of our incredible equine partners who make our programs possible. Your gift helps cover their daily care and ensures they can continue transforming lives.
Sponsor A Smile – Because participant fees only cover about 25% of the true cost, each smile is represented by a unique avatar. Sponsoring a smile bridges the gap so participants can continue receiving life-changing care.

Every raffle ticket, every adoption, every smile sponsorship moves us closer to closing this urgent gap. And beyond that, these fundraisers help build the long-term stability we need for the future.

We’ve been through challenges before, and with your support, we’ll get through this one, too. Thank you for believing in this mission and standing with us — not just today, but for the road ahead.

One Horse. One Smile. One Community. Together, we can get through this!
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With gratitude and hope,
Angela Stan
​Executive Director
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Every week, Autumn Trails Stable welcomes foster and adopted youth, individuals with disabilities, and caregivers into the arena to experience the healing power of horses. These moments of connection—where a child feels safe, a teen builds confidence, or a caregiver finds respite—are at the heart of our mission.

• But here’s the truth: the need is greater than our capacity.
• Our small team is stretched thin.
• We are relying on too few volunteers to meet the growing demand.

And without increased financial support, we cannot sustain or expand the life-changing services we provide.

We believe no child or family should be turned away from the healing power of horses simply because resources are limited. That’s why Autumn Trails Stable is launching a plan to scale our capacity in 2025 and beyond.

Our priorities include:

• Growing our volunteer team so every session is fully supported and safe.
• Hiring staff at fair wages, so our programs are sustainable and not dependent on burnout-level workloads.
• Expanding funding streams through grants, sponsorships, and donor partnerships to strengthen our foundation.
• Reaching more families in need, especially foster youth who benefit profoundly from equine-assisted services.

This is an ambitious plan, but it’s necessary—and it’s possible, with your help.

1. Volunteer: Whether you have horse experience or not, we need you. Side-walkers, mentors, barn helpers, admin assistance, ambassadors, event assistants—your time can change lives.
2. Donate: Monthly gifts provide the stability we need to grow. A one-time gift helps immediately meet urgent needs.
3. Spread the Word: Share our story with friends, churches, businesses, or civic groups. Awareness brings opportunity.

Autumn Trails Stable exists because of a community that believes everyone deserves healing, hope, and joy. Today, we’re asking you to be part of the next chapter—one where we grow stronger together. 

• Learn about how to volunteer here: ​www.autumntrailsstable.org/volunteer​
• Join The H.E.R.D. at ATS and be apart of growing our sustainability: ​www.autumntrailsstable.org/theherd​
• Make a one-time donation toward our Hay Day Fundraiser here: ​https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/hay-day-fundraiser​​ ​

Thank you for walking alongside us. Together, we can ensure no one is turned away from the power of horses to heal. 

​From all of us at Autumn Trails Stable - Thank You!
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Well, I have to apologize. When I logged in to work on the "monthly" e-newsletter, I realized that you haven't received one since April. To say that this Spring and Summer have been busy is a huge understatement so I sure do appreciate your patience and understanding.


We took on a HUGE challenge by planning and executing the biggest fundraiser we have ever had - the 4th of July Celebration at Evans Family Ranch! Over 2,000 of you came out to support our participants and we cannot thank you enough! We had about three months to pull off what would typically take 10 months! To say that I am extremely proud of our staff and volunteers is also a huge understatement! In true ATS fashion, we made the impossible become possible - so thank you! To see photos and our sponsors, please click HERE.


We are on to planning our next fundraiser - our annual Bourbon Raffle, which will be held this fall. (Hint: we are looking for amazing bottles of bourbon!) We are also working on growing our volunteer family, adding new Stable Moments participants and starting a support group for caregivers - as usual we are working hard to serve even more individuals in our community. We'd love if you would come alongside us, join our ATS Army, and continue making the impossible become possible.


See you all soon,
Angela Stan
Executive Director

At Autumn Trails Stable, we believe healing doesn’t always come in a doctor’s office — sometimes, it comes with four hooves and a whole lot of heart. For one young rider named Scarlett, that healing began the moment she met Ruby.

Finding Hope Beyond Seizures
Scarlett’s journey with epilepsy has been filled with obstacles. Despite medical treatments, her seizures remained frequent and unpredictable. These struggles left her feeling anxious, withdrawn, and unsure of how to express herself confidently.
But when Scarlett started equine-assisted sessions at Autumn Trails Stable, something changed.

A Special Bond with Ruby
Scarlett was partnered with Ruby - a calm, gentle horse whose quiet strength mirrored what Scarlett needed most. Ruby seemed to understand her without words. On the tough days, Ruby’s presence alone brought comfort. On the better days, she became Scarlett’s biggest cheerleader.
Through their bond, Scarlett began to blossom.

“Ruby’s intuitive understanding of Scarlett’s needs, especially on difficult days, has been remarkable.”

Confidence in the Saddle — and Beyond
Since starting Adaptive Riding, Scarlett’s growth has been nothing short of inspiring. She’s walking taller - not just physically, thanks to improved core strength, but emotionally too. Her confidence is growing at school and in social settings. She’s smiling more. Speaking up more. And finding joy again.

Of course, the magic doesn’t stop with the horses. Our dedicated staff and volunteers are always by Scarlett’s side, making sure she feels safe, supported, and seen.

“It is evident that they are concerned with the whole child and go out of their way to provide a safe and fun environment.” - Scarlett’s Mom

A Journey That’s Just Beginning
Scarlett’s story is still unfolding, but one thing is certain: equine-assisted services have given her the strength to move forward with courage and hope.

🐴 Want to Help More Kids Like Scarlett?
Your support keeps programs like ours running strong.
Join The HERD or Volunteer at Autumn Trails Stable — and be part of someone’s healing journey.