Wings and Hooves Therapeutic Riding

Meet the people who make Wings & Hooves Fly

 

Karen Cuneo, Founder, Lead Instructor

Karen Cuneo is the founder and lead instructor of Wings and Hooves Therapeutic Riding, Inc. After returning to college to pursue an additional degree in Equine Science, Karen received her NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association) Instructor Certification in May, 2009. While working toward her degree, Karen has set up Wings and Hooves to help riders with different challenges excel. Karen has worked in the financial industry since 1983. She is also a successful rider in the show horse ring, winning various blue ribbons in the Purebred Hunter Pleasure and Half Arabian Western Pleasure divisions. Karen now cheers on her daughter, Kristen, who is a very successful rider on the Arabian and Half-Arabian Regional and National circuit, earning multiple Regional championships and National awards. Karen subscribes to the saying, “When looking into the eye of a horse, he looks into your soul.” Karen believes equine activities bring out the best in people and allow them to soar great heights while realizing their incredible potential. Karen resides in East Kingston with her husband and daughter, both of whom are vitally important in the set up and running of Wings and Hooves.

Kim Hughes, Program Director

Kim joined Wings and Hooves in June 2010 as a volunteer becoming staff in May 2011. She firmly believes in giving back to the community as a volunteer and brings with her over 16 years experience in the non-profit industry. Passionate about the healing nature of the human-animal bond, Kim’s volunteer experience centers around animals and people; Therapeutic Riding & Equine-assisted Experiential Learning programs, the New Hampshire Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Emergency Animal Rescue Service national team, Merrimack Valley Hospice. Her experience includes Community Outreach, Fund-Raising & Special Event Planning, Program Development, Humane Education, Direct Animal Care, Disaster Response & Animal Rescue and Hospice Pediatric Support. Her faith in the magical aura of the horse is validated by witnessing firsthand the joys Wings and Hooves brings to so many riders, their families, the volunteers and yes, the horses! She is deeply honored to be a part of this dynamic team and has a deep respect for the staff, volunteers, horses and participants who together continue to prove day after day the power that therapeutic riding and horsemanship activities have to change lives. Kim earned her degree in Social Work and Psychology from Michigan State University and is also employed part-time in a nearby town as their Bookkeeper and Payroll Administrator. She resides in Newton with her husband and their 2 dogs, 1 cat and Amazon parrot.

Jen Hayes – Instructor

Jen H. is the newest Jen to Wings and Hooves and the Young Professionals Council. She brings over 15 years of passion, experience and skill having served as a 1:1 assistant for children with Down & Landeau-Kleffner syndromes as well as providing therapy to individuals with special needs within the Massachusetts public school systems, the May Center, and several North Shore & New Hampshire speech-language & hearing clinics. Jen H. holds Massachusetts licenses in riding instruction and as a speech-language therapy assistant. In 2005, she received her NARHA (now PATH International) certification from New Jersey’s Atlantic Riding Center for Health. For the past eight years, while living at a therapeutic riding facility, Jen H. taught English equitation, provided speech-language therapy, and assisted in the care of a 40 horse herd. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Human Development Psychology from Merrimack College (class of ’98), has obtained over 60 credit hours in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Worcester State University, and is expecting a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership, with concentrations in non-profit leadership and marketing, from Southern New Hampshire University in June, 2012. When she is not playing with her therapy friends on the Seacoast, Jen H. resides in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire where she created a small consulting and event planning business and is an active member within the non-profit community. She is a current board director for the Plymouth Regional Chamber of Commerce, steering committee member for the Central New Hampshire Young Professionals, and a member of the marketing and membership development committees for the Newfound Lake Region Association. Don’t worry; Jen H. is not all work and no play! During her free time she enjoys an active outdoor lifestyle that includes horseback riding (a western pleasure rider at heart), hiking “The Whites,” kayaking, and experiencing life with her closest friends, family, and furry, fat cat companion – Oliver.

Roni Pannier-Clunie, Instructor

Roni obtained her certification as a PATH International (formerly NARHA) Therapeutic Riding Instructor by completing the University of New Hampshire’s Higher Education Program in spring of 2011. This comprehensive course of study prepared her well for instructing the diverse population of riders at Wings and Hooves, LLC. Roni is also a life coach for an adult with developmental disabilities when she is not teaching. Being the mother of a special needs child, Roni is very familiar with the joys and challenges of working with differently-abled riders. Her first experience with Wings and Hooves was as a UNH student visiting the facility for an extra credit project and was awed at the beauty, organization, and friendliness at the barn. She thereby made a point of keeping in contact with the staff in hopes of teaching there someday, and is thrilled that she is now on staff! Roni’s equestrian discipline is hunter/jumper, and is now studying eventing. Children and horses are her passion, and loves combining the two passions in her professional life. She lives in Rye with her family, and enjoys trail riding, canoeing, skiing, playing the piano, and spending time with her two boys.”

And now meet our Horses:

Khlassic Statementt

My Registered Name is KhlassicStatementt and I am Loved by Karen Cuneo. My birthday is February 11, 1997, and I am an Arabian gelding. My favorite things to do are going in the paddock with my friends, running with the wind, getting scratched behind my ears and on my neck, and teaching people how to ride. I’ve got a big responsibility at Wings and Hooves as the star therapeutic equine.  My person, however, believes in me and thinks that I am a good horse for the job.  I love helping new riders become great riders.  I’m especially helpful at building riders’ confidence so that they can do anything they set their mind to – I believe that anyone can be successful! My riders rock!

My History and Prior Experience:

I’ve had a lot of success as a show horse.  Because my parents are so beautiful, I was a halter horse in my first year of showing.  Being a halter horse is pretty hard work because you are judged only on your looks! I’m a really handsome guy, though, so I was good at it.  I then became an amazing Arabian Hunter Pleasure horse, which means I was judged on my manners and performance in the show ring.  I have received a lot of blue ribbons and still sometimes go to horse shows so that my riders and I can practice our skills.  My newest job is becoming the start therapeutic-riding horse here at Wings and Hooves.

Mr Wise Guy

My Registered Name is Mr Wise Guy+//. (Some people call me Wiser.) I am loved by Kristen and Karen Cuneo. My birthday is April 25, 1988.  My mom’s name is Scarlet Wind and my dad’s name is Wisdom.  My favorite things to do are showing, playing with my best friend (Lordy) in the paddocks, getting my withers scratched, eating treats, and hanging with my girl, Kristen – She’s so beautiful and such a talented rider.  I love my new job at Wings and Hooves! I’m in charge of helping more people build confidence through riding.  It’s a lot of fun to teach our riders all about horses, riding, and showing.  Due to an old injury, there’s some nerve damage in my tongue, which is why it hangs out of my mouth sometimes.  It doesn’t bother me.  In fact, I like that I’m different because I can relate to some of my riders and show them that even with challenges, we can all be really, really, really successful at whatever we put our mind to!!

My Past Riding Experience:

I started showing as four-year old and have quite a lengthy resume of blue ribbons in many English performance divisions.  I have roughly 12 major championships combined.  I’ve also ridden to several National Championship Titles!  I even received an Arabian Horse Association Legion of Excellence award to recognize my many achievements as show horse! Kristen rode me with my old trainer at a show to receive the award!

Calypso

My Registered Name is Calypso. I am loved by everyone at Wings and Hooves. My birthday was a long time ago, and I am a Quarter Horse gelding. I don’t know my real parents, but was lovingly adopted by everyone at Wings and Hooves.  My favorite thing in the world is Kingswood Farm where I can play outside with all my horse friends, get groomed all the time, and eat lots of good treats.  My job here is to be a loving companion to any horse at Kingswood because I get along with everyone. (Probably because I’ve met so many cows and horses during my lifetime!) I’m also responsible for helping riders become confident and successful.  It’s so nice to know that I’m needed here at Kingswood Farm.

My Past Riding Experience:

I’ve had a different past than most of the horses here.  I used to round cattle at farms out West for my job.  Since I was so good at it, I competed at horse shows in the Team Roping and Cattle Penning divisions.  I was pretty good at it and enjoyed the responsibilities of making sure all the cows got to the place they needed to be.  Although some cows can be stubborn, I have a knack for speaking cow and reasoning with them.

Lady

My Registered Name is Almost a Lady. I am loved by everyone at Wings and Hooves, but especially Kristen Cuneo. My birthday is March 8 and I am a 19 year old Half-Arabian, Half-Shetland mare. My favorite things to do are cantering through the fields and trails, being groomed, getting scratched on the neck and eating carrots and apples! Since I taught Kristen how to ride so well, I am obviously the most perfect pony to teach young children how to ride. I love my job and especially enjoy the itty-bitty kids who come to ride me.  They’re so fun to take care of!

My Past Riding Experience:

I’ve shown almost all of my life and started my show career with my very first girl, Kristen, when she was itty-bitty.  Someone used to have to lead me in the classes when Kristen rode me in the leadline division and I just didn’t like it! Didn’t everyone know that I could take Kristen around safely without their help?!! Kristen and I have won lots of all-breed shows in both lead line and walk trot.

What’s up? I’m Loki!

My registered name is Loki which means Trickster and God of Mischief and Fire in Norwegian! I am loved by anyone who meets me. I am an 8-year old Fjord gelding.  My favorite things are EVERYTHING! I really like to play jokes on people the best, but I can have fun doing anything. My job is to make people laugh and teach our awesome riders how to fly.

My Past Riding Experience:

I was trained by everyone at Kingswood Farms. I have learned how to be an awesome therapeutic riding horse and I really dig my job. I am so super silly and can make all of the riders and volunteers smile!

Kirkie

I am a brown Dun Norwegian Fjord and my birthday is April 9.  My stocky breed is known for being gentle, curious and active! I am currently employed at Wings and Hooves where I help give lesson to the many riders here.  I have a temperment a lot like most Fjords – reliable and steady, which is what makes me so good at my job!

My Past Riding Experience:

In my younger years, I used to show jump!

Hello, I’m Gem!

Like Kirkie and Lokie, I am a Norwegian Fjord. My color is a little different – I’m a white uls dun mare, which means that my body color is very light with a black stripe and markings. Some people think that it makes me look a little more feminine! My favorite things are being groomed on the cross ties, going outside with my new friend, Khlassic, eating carrots, mints and horse treats and being told how beautiful I am (people are so kind!) My job is to be an outstanding lesson horse for the Wings and Hooves Therapeutic Riding and Horsemanship Programs.