Sarah Squires
Staff and Former Participant
When Sarah first came to Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center, she was seven years old. She was a quiet and thoughtful child who faced challenges with severe anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Traditional therapies and medications had done little to ease her struggles, and each day felt uncertain. One of her doctors suggested riding lessons, knowing how much Sarah loved horses. After visiting several barns, her mother discovered Little Bit, a place that offered more than lessons. It offered understanding, patience, and a kind of care that reached far beyond what they had hoped to find.
Sarah began her journey in physical therapy to strengthen her small body, which had developed with low muscle tone after being born prematurely. The therapists guided her gently, helping her build balance and coordination through exercises that felt more like play than therapy. After several months, she moved into the Adaptive Riding Program. There, surrounded by caring instructors and patient horses, Sarah discovered a new sense of calm and confidence. The barn became her safe place, a space where her mind could quiet and her spirit could grow.
Her instructors became trusted mentors who understood her challenges without judgment. The horses offered comfort that words could not express. They responded to her emotions with a calm steadiness, teaching her to breathe deeply and trust herself. For the first time, Sarah felt truly at ease.
Over time, Little Bit became the center of Sarah’s world and an essential part of her family’s life. Her mother began volunteering and soon found her own community within the barn. Together they joined fundraisers, special events, and volunteer trainings. The friendships they formed there brought laughter, purpose, and support. The community at Little Bit became their extended family, one that helped shape who Sarah was becoming.
When Sarah turned 14, she decided it was time to give back. She began volunteering at the barn she loved, helping in lessons, grooming horses, and assisting new riders. These experiences sparked a desire to help others the way she had been helped. The joy she felt in supporting riders reminded her of the encouragement she once received, and she knew this was the path she wanted to follow.
As she grew older, Sarah continued to deepen her connection to Little Bit. She trained to become an occupational therapy assistant and earned her certification as an adaptive riding instructor. Today, she works full time at Little Bit and lives on site, caring for the horses and riders who remind her every day of how far she has come.
Through her years at Little Bit, Sarah has watched the organization evolve and grow. What began as a small barn with only a few horses and a long waiting list has become a large, thriving center with more than 30 horses and hundreds of volunteers. Despite this growth, she believes the heart of Little Bit has never changed. The focus remains on people, horses, and the powerful connections between them.
Sarah carries countless memories from her years at the center. She recalls long drives to community events, the excitement of fundraisers, and moments of laughter shared with staff and riders. She remembers the horses that helped her heal and the people who believed in her when she could not believe in herself. Each experience strengthened her belief in the importance of Little Bit and the hope it continues to bring to others.
For 50 years, Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center has been a place of healing, belonging, and possibility. Generations of riders, volunteers, therapists, instructors, and horses have built a community that celebrates progress and values every individual. Sarah’s journey is one of many that reflect the heart of Little Bit. It is a story of growth, care, and connection. As Little Bit celebrates 50 years, Sarah is proud to say that it has had a huge impact on many people’s lives and will continue to change the lives of many more—just as hers was impacted.
Find more 50th anniversary stories HERE.
