14674 S. Highway 169
Oologah, OK 74053 • 918-371-1750
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday: 9:00am-4:00pm
Wednesday: 9:00am-2:00pm

Our Horses

are specially selected, trained and experienced with children and equine riding therapy.

Baby

Baby is a Palamino Quarter horse. She was trained as a barrel horse and can be a bit bossy when she doesn’t get her pasture time. She also LOVES to eat! She was bred, born and trained by our very own Amy in 2009.

Brutus

Brutus is a Belgium Haflinger Cross Gelding, born in 2001, is a Sorrel with a flaxen mane and tail. Brutus' coat is red with a blonde mane and tail and a large star on his head.

Buddy

Buddy was born in 1999 and is a Sorrel Quarter horse gelding. with a white blaze on his face with one white sock on his back right leg. He loves being able to help with some of our riders with physical challenges.

Coco

Coco is a very sassy 10 year old miniature horse. This always hungry dark bay horse came to us with her best friend and couldn’t have a more different personality than her counterpart. Together, they make for a fun and interesting class!

Duchess

A more quite reserved 11 year old miniature horse, Duchess is a perfect fit for our slower or more nervous students to start their horse journey. This pinto colored horse and her counterpart came to us to be used in our community outreach and off-site programing.

Gizzy

Gizzy is a pony with mighty opinions and was born in 2010. She loved being dressed up and has taught many children their first few steps on horseback. This includes her owner’s children, Amy the instructor's three kids. She's been used in Junior barrels, flags, poles, goats, and roping.

Jane

Jane was born in 2009 and is a Halflinger/Morgan cross. She was part of a wagon team before she became a part of Bit by Bit. She also is a phenomenal horse in our Veteran and First responder clinic's for her sensitivity and expression while doing groundwork.

Judge

Judge is a Black and White Tobiano Paint Horse Gelding born in 1999. He really, really loves giving kisses and eating lots of hay. He is everyone’s favorite “judgey boy”.

Pearl

This lovely girl is a paint breed 2004 model. Before entering pur program, she was a rodeo roping horse and gave her person 110%. She continues that trait in pur riding program for our more advanced students learning to trot.

Rio

Born in 2017, Rio is a Saddlebred/Quarter horse cross. He is the jester of the barn who would rather cuddle students than work. And make sure you hide the snacks when he is near! He in currently being trained in Dressage and Jumping by his owner, Kendra the instructor.

Snap

Snap is a paint horse and was born in 2005. She was used in Team Roping, Steer Tripping, and Barrel Racing for most of her life. She is the gentle giant of our program and is extra carful with whatever cargo she is carrying. She is most loved by our Tulsa Fire department participants because anyone of stature can ride her.

Teddy

Teddy is a 19 year old OTTB. One of our Instructors Paize has had him since he was 4. They showed in the jumpers for years, and helped her win Oklahoma Equestrian of the Year. He loves kids, and his nickname is the Gentle Giant.

Twister

Twister is around 22-year-old Red Roan quarter horse. He was used as a family horse and has been trail ridden all over LeFlore County. He loved to dunk his head in the water and splash on hot days, all with a look of complete innocence.

About Us

Since opening in 1997, Bit by Bit has been and continues to be Northeast Oklahoma's premier therapeutic riding program. Founded by Linda Barron and originally located in Claremore, Bit by Bit began as a way to make a difference in the lives of individuals with special needs through equine therapy.

Over the years, the program has relocated to Oologah and expanded to serve over 70 students, offering therapeutic riding lessons to children and adults living with a variety of special needs. One thing hasn't changed: the commitment to making a difference in riders' lives. This is possible thanks to over 150 volunteers, nearly 20 horses, and generous support from donors. Together, we make strides for those with special needs!

Amy Williams
Equine and Facility Manager
Amy has been riding all her life, mostly in the Rodeo world. She first joined Bit by bit as Barn Staff, then was promoted to Equine Manager in 2021, and then Equine and Facility Manager in 2022. Amy and her husband and their kids live in Skiatook on a farm with more animal species than you can count. Amy is the ultimate Rodeo and Livestock mom as her girls love to show and rodeo all across Oklahoma and beyond! She is a very dedicated worker and is a supervisor loved by her staff.

Kendra Phillips
Certified Instructor, Equine Specialist, and Volunteer Coordinator
Kendra has been riding horses since the year 2000 and trained mostly in English style dressage and jumping. A PATH certified Instructor and Equine Specialist since 2018, she has taught many lessons through the years and focuses on independence while riding and empathy for the horses. She is a huge advocate of mental health for all including Veterans, First Responders, and Medical Personnel. She is married to a Marine and in 2022 added a human baby to her large number of fur-babies.

Paize Blaylock
Certified Instructor
Paize started taking riding lessons when she was 6 and then showed hunter jumper with primarily off-the-track Thoroughbreds. Paize started volunteering as a leader in college and couldn't get enough! She received her CTRI certification in June of 2023, but has been teaching students of all ages for about 10 years. Paize and her husband live outside of Adair with a menagerie of horses, dogs, chickens, a donkey and a pig called Kevin Bacon.

Alisa Neel
Barn Staff
Alisa grew up in the rodeo world with her entire family competing in different events. Her husband and her met when children at one such event and were married in 2015. They have two beautiful girls, the oldest already rides like her mom taught her. If Alisa is not at Bit by Bit she's hauling a trailer with her oldest daughter to junior rodeos.

Clara Mitchell
Barn Staff
Clara has been riding horses since before she can remember and loves working with children. She found Bit by Bit as a volunteer and morphed into an employee with her energetic helpful manner. Clara and her husband enjoy serving their community through their local church body and enjoy being outside as much as they can.

Therapeutic
Horseback Riding

The benefits of therapeutic horseback riding are many and varied. Because the horse gently and rhythmically moves the rider's body in a manner similar to a human gait, riders with physical disabilities often show improvement in flexibility, balance, and muscle strength.

For individuals with mental or emotional disabilities, the unique relationship formed with the horse can lead to increase confidence, patience, and self-esteem. Educational goals like letter and color recognition can be incorporated into riding activities. Lessons also provide a positive social experience for students as they interact with volunteers, staff members, other riders, and horses.

Research shows that individuals of all ages who participate in equine-assisted activities and therapies can experience physical and emotional rewards.