Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center

Unicorn Week is back June 8-13, just in time to celebrate Pride Month! 🌈🦄 At Little Bit, we’re celebrating love, inclusion, belonging, and the magic of being exactly who you are. Volunteers, participants, staff, and horses are invited to show off your brightest rainbow unicorn outfits all week long! Don’t forget to tag Little Bit in your colorful photos for a chance to be featured. Let’s fill the barn with Pride, joy, and unicorn magic!

Save the date! ⚾💙 The Jordan Fund and Seattle Mariners are hosting Disability Awareness Day at T-Mobile Park on Sunday, July 5, 2026 — a celebration of inclusion, community, and disability awareness. More details coming soon!

With 14 acres including many permanent structures requiring regular maintenance, once again we can't thank enough for their generous donation of project labor. The Tera Painting team completed our Community Lounge, staff kitchen, Welcome Center restrooms, the interior walls of the Alvord Arena, and the posts, beams, and interior wall of our Murdock Arena. We are also grateful to for their generous donation of paint. With this support, the cost to Little Bit to complete these much-needed projects was minimal, which has a direct impact on our ability to keep program fees as low as possible. To our Little Bit community, please thank these generous donors by offering them your business.

𝟓𝟎 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝟓𝟎 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 | 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐃𝐞𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐀𝐝𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐑𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫
When you meet AnnDee Mayers, the first thing you notice is her smile. Her indomitable strength, courage, and spirit are obvious the more you talk with her.
AnnDee began her Little Bit journey 20 years ago as a volunteer. “I literally lost it crying when I first found Little Bit, I was so happy.”

AnnDee Mayers’ multiple sclerosis was diagnosed 18 years before she started riding at Little Bit. When she was diagnosed, her neurologist told her there were a few things she couldn’t do anymore, including horseback riding. “So, I listened to him—until I didn’t,” chuckled AnnDee.

Then she met Raffi. “When I first pulled into the parking lot at Little Bit… Raffi’s head was sticking out, looking toward the parking lot.” Their bond was immediate.
Because her MS is progressive, AnnDee says she sees firsthand what she has lost over the years. But she continues riding and doing what she can. “The one thing that MS gave me was Little Bit. It’s true.” 💙

Read AnnDee’s entire story, and more 50th anniversary features, at littlebit.org/50anniversarystories

Our Ground Work Series is designed for current Little Bit volunteers who want to deepen their horse knowledge and gain more hands-on experience through focused horsemanship programming.

🐴Next up: Bits – Finding the Right Fit
📅 Tuesday, June 9
⏰ 5–6 PM
👩‍🏫 Instructor: Devon Stone

Each lesson is $50. Learn more and register at littlebit.org/groundworkseries

📸: Lauren Morrow Photography

Little Bit is CLOSED today in recognition of Memorial Day. Classes and treatments will resume as normal on Tuesday, May 26.

A special thank you to our barn staff and volunteers caring for Liberty and the rest of the herd during today’s holiday. 🐴

If you’re a current volunteer and available to help over the holiday week, we’d greatly appreciate your support! Sign up for shifts here: https://online.littlebit.org/of/s/sign-in

Today, we remember and honor the brave individuals who gave their lives in service to our country. Wishing our community a meaningful Memorial Day filled with gratitude, remembrance, and connection.

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡, 𝐰𝐞’𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐢𝐭 𝐎𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫! Since joining Little Bit in October 2023, Cait has contributed more than 230 hours in support of our mission as a horse leader and member of the Training Team. Instructor Kelly Doody shares, “Cait easily makes connections with riders, horses, and other volunteers. Her day job is as a mental health therapist, and you can see that reflected in her kindness, warmth, and sociability at Little Bit. She is consistent, reliable, and passionate about Little Bit.” We are so grateful for you, Cait!

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐭 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐁𝐢𝐭? I was looking for opportunities to participate in and help my community, and found Little Bit through another volunteer position at Cancer Lifeline. Little Bit gives me the chance to work with incredible people between our clients, staff, and volunteers and to give back. I also get to feel closer to my rural, horse-y Montana roots than I otherwise get living in the big city!

𝐃𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐲 𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐁𝐢𝐭 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞? My favorite funny moments happen towards the end of every class — I crack up when the horses always speed up when they know we're close to being done! All of a sudden, a pokey pony takes off, because the faster they walk, the faster class is over...right?

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐁𝐢𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐲? Brunhilda and Liberty! Brunhilda always keeps me on my toes by pretending she wants to eat me, but in reality, she is a gentle soul. I feel like I've finally earned her friendship after a year of working together! And Liberty — what's not to love? She's the sweetest lady!

𝐃𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐡𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐡𝐨𝐛𝐛𝐲 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐧? I have a hidden talent for trivia, because one of my hobbies is reading articles on Wikipedia — I have more than 20 Wikipedia tabs open currently! I love reading about anything from celebrities to historical shipwrecks, world religions to deep space telescopes.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐝 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫? Ask for help whenever you need it! We have such a wonderful community of staff and volunteers who want to make sure you succeed and feel confident.

𝟓𝟎 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝟓𝟎 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 | 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐬 & 𝐉𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐲𝐧

Jocelyn has been riding at Little Bit for almost 30 years. Diagnosed with Cri du Chat Syndrome, she began riding as a preschooler and quickly found joy, confidence, and connection through the horses and people around her.

“She started sitting taller, gesturing with purpose and steering her walk consistently within the first few years,” shares her mom, Colleen Willis, Little Bit’s 2026 Board Chair. “Now, it is all about the positive energy that radiates from the horses, volunteers, staff, and in Jocelyn’s demeanor on riding days.” 🥰

That experience is what inspired Colleen to join Little Bit’s Board of Trustees in 2021. But in 2024, Colleen was diagnosed with a rare cancer. “…the greatest fear of a parent is not being around when you are needed,” she shares. “I am more committed than ever to building a caring network of support and compassion around Jocelyn. This network is exemplified by Little Bit, a place where individuals are empowered, celebrated, and given the tools to enhance their lives. It is the commitment to this community that drives me each day.”

As Little Bit celebrates its 50th birthday, Colleen reflects on the transformative impact the organization has had on families like hers—from Jocelyn’s hippotherapy as a preschooler to adaptive riding today—and the hope and joy it continues to provide. 🐎

Read Colleen and Jocelyn’s full story, as well as many others, at littlebit.org/50anniversarystories.

🪩 Dust off your favorite Little Bit decade and join us for the 39th Annual Pat Flynn Memorial Horse Show on Sunday, June 21! 🕺

Whether you’re channeling the ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s, or beyond, we can’t wait to celebrate this year’s Through the Little Bit Decades theme with our Little Bit community.

🐴 Registration is open now through May 30 at littlebit.org/events/patflynn! Classes include Equitation, Obstacle Course, Barrel Racing, and Costume Class.

Volunteers interested in supporting the horse show can reach out to [email protected] or visit https://online.littlebit.org/of/s/sign-in.

39th Annual Pat Flynn Memorial Horse Show — Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center Little Bit is pleased to announce we will be hosting the 39th annual Pat Flynn Memorial Horse Show! Our in-house horse shows are often the culmination of months of hard work for our clients and give them an incredible opportunity to show off their skills to family, friends, and the community. We ho

Every donation in any amount makes a difference at Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center. If you prefer donating tangible items, please take a look at our updated online wish list at ✨ https://thankfulregistry.com/littlebit. You'll find items starting at $10.

Spring has arrived and so have the weeds! Our upcoming corporate and community volunteer work groups require tools that maximize their productivity. 🪏 Please consider purchasing the garden tools on our wish list.

We use Thankful for our wish list so that we can include items found on a variety of websites. When purchasing an item, please make sure to check the box confirming you are purchasing the item so that the list is immediately updated. Then email [email protected] to let us know you are the purchaser since we don't always receive donor information from the stores. Questions? Please email us or call (425) 882-1554. Thank you!