Life Changing “Pie”

AQHA and PATH Intl. have recognized the invaluable contribution of the American Quarter Horse to equine-assisted services. With enduring conformation and compassionate natures, these horses are ideal partners for a wide range of activities. Their innate ability to forge deep connections makes them cherished companions to all who meet them. We are inspired by their profound and positive impact on people’s lives and hearts, sharing stories of American Quarter Horses and their commitment to equine-assisted services, like 2023 AQHA-PATH Intl. Equine-Assisted Services Horse of the Year Cheerioak and runner-up Amigos N Jags.  

Here’s the heartfelt story of Passable Inclination, aka “Pie,” an adaptive-riding horse, as shared by his owner, Victory Gallop Inc.  

Pie was bred in Washington by Tina Laguna, who owned and showed him until he was 5 years old. She sold him to cover the cost of adopting her daughter. Later, he trained with Tery Cros from Texas and showed extensively with amateur and Select amateur clients. Before being donated to our program, Madeline Crawford owned and showed him for four years in horsemanship, showmanship, equitation and trail. In 2019, they were Level 1 reserve champions in Select horsemanship in Ohio. They competed at the All American Quarter Horse Congress in 2019 and were in the top 10 in Level 1 horsemanship, trail and showmanship. Pie started his therapeutic career at Victory Gallop in April 2022. 

Passable Inclination’s story is unique. I have been teaching therapeutic riding for 40 years and have always required any horse I am looking at to come on a 30-day trial. When I received the call from Pie’s trainer, who discovered us on Facebook and thought we would be a great match for him, she expressed her strong belief in this horse. She assured me that she would not ship him from Florida to Ohio unless she was confident he would be perfect for us. She convinced me that a trial would not be necessary. I had my doubts but agreed to accept the horse without a trial period. He arrived a week later and he fit right in when he walked off the trailer. He had a kind and intelligent eye, was a perfect size and we were immediately taken by him. 

Since he came to us in April of 2022, he has worked with a variety of our riders ranging in ages from 3 to 18. He has been the go-to horse for riders learning to ride independently for the first time, the rider who needs two side walkers and a leader, as well as the rider who can walk, trot and canter on their own. He is patient, easy to lead, great about going into his gaits and simply unflappable. 

One rider’s life has truly been changed by Pie’s ability to be a perfect horse. Margaret, 18, spent 14 months in the hospital after complications from chemotherapy for a sudden cancer diagnosis in 2020, nine months of which she was in a minimally conscious state that no one was sure she’d emerge from. It has been years of long, slow recovery from brain injury since then, with lots of different therapies, and Victory Gallop was blessed when Margaret was introduced to us through a program called “Kids Kicking Cancer.”  

When we were first contacted about Margaret being one of the participants in the field trip, there were a few concerns: she is in a wheelchair (we do not have a ramp but only a mounting block), also she is very tall and extremely unsteady. My first thought was, what horse could I trust to stand at the mounting block, not move and then be completely perfect and relaxed for the ride? Right away, the other instructor and I both said the only horse would be Pie. It’s hard to describe how the connection between Pie and Margaret went that day, but her smile was huge. After her ride, she asked if she could give him a kiss. Then, her mom wanted to know if we would continue helping her. 

Magaret’s mother said, “We are unbelievably grateful that our journey led us to Victory Gallop! The place and its people have been a beautiful burst of energy just when we needed it. They’ve lent us their hope and belief in progress for Margaret’s physical and mental strength and stability. In just a few weeks, we began to see a big difference in Margaret – it’s something fun when a lot has been taken away from her. It’s exhilarating for her to climb up onto a gentle horse, leave her wheelchair behind and take a trail ride. Margaret said, “When I am on Pie, I feel free!” 

As an instructor, there is no better feeling than knowing you are making a difference, but we need the perfect horse to teach in the field of therapeutic riding to do this. Pie is a true gentleman who gives of himself unconditionally every time Margaret or any other rider sits on his back. He is an exceptional horse who allows us to look like heroes when Pie truly changes lives. 

If you know an American Quarter Horse that has changed lives in equine-assisted services, honor them with a nomination for the AQHA PATH Intl. Equine-Assisted Services Horse of the Year Award. Nominate by December 31, 2024, to be eligible for $10,000 first-place and $5,000 second-place prizes.