Horses for Life

Horses for Life We provide equine assisted physical mental, emotional and spiritual health support. Horses for Life! For more information, please visit www.horses4life.com

helps individuals of all ages live life to their fullest potential while enhancing physical, mental and spiritual health. Kathy Gambino is the founder, owner, and executive director of Horses for Life! She effectively combines her passion for God, people, and horses to offer help, hope, and healing in a fun and supportive environment. She is certified by the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association, (EAGALA). Kathy is an equine specialist and offers the following equine assisted services:

Equine Assisted Learning
Therapeutic Horsemanship

Horses for Life! is a Christian enterprise in faith and practice, yet has an "open gate" philosophy which welcomes all individuals regardless of race, gender, values, or religious belief.

The one reason we love serving people with our herd. ❤️🙋🏻‍♀️
01/15/2026

The one reason we love serving people with our herd. ❤️🙋🏻‍♀️

I believe God speaks through horses.

Not in words.
Not in sermons.
Not in thunder.

But in presence.
In stillness.
In the quiet way something can reach your soul without ever making a sound.

Horses have a way of meeting you exactly where you are -
when your heart is heavy,
when your faith feels tired,
when your prayers feel stuck somewhere between hope and waiting.

They don’t rush you.
They don’t demand explanations.
They don’t ask you to be strong when you are worn thin.

They simply stand with you.

And in that standing, something sacred happens.

Their breath slows your own.
Their calm steadies your racing thoughts.
Their awareness pulls you out of the noise and back into the present moment-
the only place God has ever asked us to be.

There is humility in a horse.
A quiet obedience to the rhythm of life.
A sensitivity to energy that feels almost holy.

They feel what we try to hide.
They respond to what we carry.
They soften when we soften.
They grow still when we need grounding.

And I don’t think that’s accidental.

I think God, in His gentleness, knew some hearts would need a different kind of language.

A language of touch instead of talk.
Of presence instead of answers.
Of trust built slowly instead of forced.

Through horses, we learn patience.
We learn surrender.
We learn that control is an illusion and trust is everything.

We learn that strength doesn’t have to be loud.
That power can be gentle.
That leadership is rooted in love, not force.

We learn to listen -
not just with our ears,
but with our spirit.

There are prayers I couldn’t put into words
that were somehow answered
standing beside a horse in the quiet of the barn.

There were tears I didn’t know how to pray through
that were met with a warm neck and a steady breath.

There were seasons of waiting
where the only peace I felt
was in the presence of something God created
to remind me that I was not alone.

Horses don’t replace faith.
They lead you back to it.

They remind you of how God moves -
patiently,
faithfully,
without forcing,
without rushing.

They show you what it looks like to trust.
To be led.
To rest in presence instead of fear.

And when a horse looks at you with those deep, knowing eyes,
it feels like being reminded:

“I see you.
You are safe.
You are held.
You are not forgotten.”

I don’t think that’s coincidence.

I think sometimes,
God speaks in hoofbeats and breath,
in stillness and trust,
in the quiet companionship of a horse who stands beside you
and somehow makes the weight feel lighter.

And if you’ve ever felt your soul settle
just by being near one,

you understand.

God doesn’t always speak loudly.

Sometimes…
He whispers through horses.

Do you feel this?

01/12/2026

Nothing better to assess your horse feeling comfortable in his body than a really vigorous whole body shake!❤️

This wonderful article resonated with my heart for my herd. Often our mental health clients ask about riding, and there ...
11/22/2025

This wonderful article resonated with my heart for my herd. Often our mental health clients ask about riding, and there are some special situations when we do. Often, however, the most impactful therapeutic support happens when clients don't ride. It's such a great explanation of the true needs all horses have regardless of their function, training or horseanality! ❤️

https://www.facebook.com/100083235435397/posts/830661199718387/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

Horses don’t wake up with a diary full of performance goals. They’re not standing at the gate thinking, “I hope she schools me in a perfect 20-metre circle today.”

Their world is simpler and more honest. Safety. Predictability. Comfort. Herd. Food. Space. Rhythm. That’s the entire ecosystem of their wellbeing.

When we choose not to ride, we are not depriving them of something vital.
We are actually honouring their natural priorities.

Most days, what your horse wants is for you to show up with steady energy and a soft nervous system. They read the tension in your jaw, the rush in your footsteps, the way you hold your breath when you’re stressed. They know. And they respond.

A horse would rather stand with you quietly than carry you while you’re wound tight.

A horse would rather have a peaceful grooming session than be pushed through 45 minutes of schooling with winter wind rattling the arena boards.

A horse would rather feel you regulate beside them than feel you compensate on their back.

We often forget that riding is a human invention, not a horse requirement. What horses seek is harmony. A safe companion. Someone predictable enough that their bodies can settle next to ours.

When you decide not to ride because you’re tired, or the ground is frozen, or your brain is doing that loud static thing, you’re not failing. You’re speaking the horse’s language.

A regulated human is more valuable to them than a mounted one.

They don’t judge you for walking them to the field instead of tacking up. They don’t measure your worth by hours ridden. They care that you’re safe company. That you don’t bring storms into their space. That when you do ask something of them, it comes from clarity rather than pressure.

Some horses genuinely thrive when riding takes a step back for a little while. Their bodies get a breather. Their minds get space. Their relationship with you gets to be about connection rather than task.

If you’re showing up kindly, you’re doing enough.
If your horse is eating well, moving freely, living in a routine that makes sense to them, you’re doing enough.

And in the quiet seasons, the bond often grows deeper. Because horses remember who sits with them in the stillness.

10/03/2025

Noah's Ark Children's Transitional Foundation is a non-profit organization that specializes in supporting families who are experiencing the transitional period prior or during the end of life for a child.

10/02/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/1CGG9XjGws/

💛I have known and worked with dedicated founder, Kaye Griggs, through my equine business. To know her and her tireless service to the special needs community, is to love her and all she puts her hands to!

Helping these families is in her and her team's DNA! One of Brazoria County's finest, multifaceted resources!

If you are a parent of a special needs child or know someone who is, please share, reach out and perhaps offer help!💛

Noah's Ark Children's Transitional Foundation is a non-profit organization that specializes in supporting families who are experiencing the transitional period prior or during the end of life for a child.

100 % AGREE! Five of my seven horses are seniors/geriatric. All are active, happy and working in some capacity.  And the...
09/23/2025

100 % AGREE! Five of my seven horses are seniors/geriatric. All are active, happy and working in some capacity. And they are each worth their weight in gold, ridden or not.💛

Why would I buy/or keep a senior horse?

🐴

Am I the only one getting sick of seeing ads about retired horses for sale? 💔Is a long life of servitude not worth a good remaining quadrant of their life? 🤬

As I LOVE digging🧐 into subjects that are simply not talked about, here we go for today:

I believe that many horses are retired too late in their riding career.

Waiting for a horse to brake should no longer be where we draw the line of retirement. As a person who started to study biomechanics for the sake of keeping my mature horses healthy all the way to their senior years, I can assure you that the needs of a senior horse's body are different as they age, that understanding those needs and meeting them can give you many extra working years out of your horse, But I would still not expect my 27 years old to win the Derbie! 😬

Not riding your horse anymore doesn’t mean the only alternative outcome is to let that horse rot in the field.

I understand that being on a horse is the summum of owning a horse, but there is PLENTY of other options!

I have decided to Sandy for about a year now. Previously to that, I had already started to lower the intensity of her work, and/or the size of her riders to accommodate her.

She is now 27 years old ( will be 28 in January 2026), leaving a great life, she remains active, exercising at least 3 sessions per week in various activities, and all of that without being ridden. 🩵

What do we do?

We trail ride, we play at liberty, we work on her balance, keep her stabilizer muscles working, and learn new tricks. There are so many possibilities!

I understand that not everyone has the imagination to keep things interesting without riding their horse, so I hope that watching Sandy rocking her retirement life helps you to not feel too bad about retiring your horse from riding for the sake of not knowing what you can offer them other than riding...

Also, I wish to inspire more people to keep their horses until the end of their lives, and/or be a home for a senior horse.

Because all horses should be loved to their full potential until their very last day.🦄

Leave me a 🩵 if you agree!

📸By Everette Photography, of my precious. This was one of our very last rides.

The sun is back and Angelina is down for it!
04/25/2025

The sun is back and Angelina is down for it!

Well I haven't started Ensure just yet...but my husband would feel better if I didn't still ride at my age! So I just ri...
04/10/2025

Well I haven't started Ensure just yet...but my husband would feel better if I didn't still ride at my age! So I just ride when he's not home! 😂🐎🙋🏻‍♀️😜🙏🏼

Try me! 😂😂😂

06/06/2024
Saturday May 18 6pm, God decided our 34 year old super-pony's time was done. We had a some sweet goodbye hugs and kisses...
05/19/2024

Saturday May 18 6pm, God decided our 34 year old super-pony's time was done. We had a some sweet goodbye hugs and kisses just before he closed his eyes for the last time.

Comet came to us in 2011 along with his friends, Monty and Dixie who have also passed. A special gift from Donna Isenhower, he was quirky, tough, but kind, and he loved people...especially children. So many stories, experiences, miracles we witnessed...too many to share here. We are sad, yet we are thankful for the privilege of loving, owning and caring for him for the last years of his life. So long buddy, we will never forget you.
If you have any of photos of your family with Comet, feel free to share here.

Address

1044 Bruce Boulevard
Angleton, TX
77515

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Horses for Life posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Horses for Life:

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram

Our Story

Horses for Life! helps individuals of all ages live life to their fullest potential while enhancing physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual health. Kathy Gambino is the founder, owner, and executive director of Horses for Life! She effectively combines her passion for God, people, and horses to offer help, hope, and healing in a fun and supportive environment. She is certified by the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association, (EAGALA). Kathy is an equine specialist and student of Parelli Natural Horsemanship. She partners with additional professionals, assistants, and her herd of horses to provide the following services:

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Learning Therapeutic Horsemanship Individual and Family Counseling

Horses for Life! is a Christian enterprise in faith and practice, yet has an "open gate" philosophy which welcomes all individuals regardless of race, gender, values, or religious belief. For more information, please visit www.horses4life.com