Episode
Building a Culture of Equine Well-Being – With Melissa Connor of Renew TRC | Ep 33 Equine Assisted World
- Published
- Jul 24, 2025
- Duration seconds
- 6512
- Processing state
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- https://share.transistor.fm/s/7e8ab4be
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Summary
In this inspiring episode of Equine Assisted World, Rupert Isaacson sits down with Melissa Connor, Executive Director of Renew Therapeutic Riding Center in Holland, Michigan. Recorded just weeks after Rupert visited the center, this conversation highlights what it takes to create a truly horse-centered therapeutic program—where equine well-being is as prioritized as human healing. Melissa shares her decades-long journey through the equine-assisted services field, how she shaped a program with excellence in horse care, and the practical systems Renew uses to maintain a thriving herd of 22 horses. From rider conditioning and pasture management to financial sustainability and healthy organizational culture, Melissa offers a rare, transparent view into what truly ethical equine-assisted work looks like behind the scenes. If you want to support the show, you can do so at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LongRideHome ✨ What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Creating a Culture of Equine Well-Being (Starts at 01:00) Why therapeutic horses deserve the same quality of care as competition horses How listening to horses and honoring their vocation sets the foundation The importance of movement, friendship, and forage (the three F’s) Evolving Out of the "Donated Horse" Mentality (Starts at 09:00) Melissa’s early experiences with horses in Virginia Why therapeutic programs shouldn’t accept broken-down or unsuitable horses How to reframe our value system when it comes to horses in service Setting Standards for Horse Acceptance & Retirement (Starts at 20:00) How Renew handles free leases and vet care caps Why written agreements and ongoing owner relationships are critical What happens when retirement is needed—but the owner steps back Toplines, Thriving, and Conditioning (Starts at 29…