Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara Zurenko.
Hi Sara, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Horses have been part of my life for as long as I can remember, though my path with them was
not the traditional equestrian story. My family was not wealthy, so being around horses meant
working for it. I cleaned stalls, completed barn chores, and helped wherever I could in exchange
for time in the saddle. As I gained experience, I rode anything I was trusted with and spent
many years starting young horses and retraining off-the-track Thoroughbreds for second
careers. Those horses taught me patience, humility, and the importance of consistency, while
also shaping who I was becoming beyond the barn.
During some formative and challenging years, horses were deeply therapeutic for me and
provided grounding, connection, and clarity. Over time, it became clear that the healing and
growth I experienced through horses was not unique. That realization is what would eventually
lead my path to cross with others who shared the same belief that horses could be powerful
partners in helping people grow, heal, and thrive.
Those shared values and experiences became the foundation of Southern Reins Center for
Equine Therapy. Built by a group of passionate and dedicated individuals, Southern Reins was
created to serve the community through high quality equine assisted services rooted in
inclusion, integrity, and care. Today, Southern Reins brings together skilled professionals,
incredible horses, volunteers, families, and community partners to create meaningful
opportunities for physical, emotional, and personal growth, all grounded in the belief that
healing happens best in relationship.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Like any organization that has grown with intention and heart, the journey has come with learning curves, but it has also been filled with incredible encouragement and support. Over the past 10 years, Southern Reins has been shaped not just by challenges, but by a community that consistently shows up for our mission.
There have been moments that required us to adapt, problem-solve, and grow, whether that meant navigating funding realities, expanding programs thoughtfully, or ensuring we continue to meet the needs of both our participants and our horses. What has made all the difference is the strong network of families, volunteers, donors, staff, partners, and community members who believe in this work and invest in it alongside us.
Rather than viewing these moments as obstacles, we see them as part of the process of building something sustainable and meaningful.
The support we have received over the last decade has allowed Southern Reins not only to weather challenges, but to grow into a trusted and respected resource for the community, and that is something we are deeply grateful for.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Southern Reins Center for Equine Therapy is a nonprofit dedicated to improving the physical, emotional, and social well-being of individuals through equine-assisted services. We serve children, teens, adults, seniors, and veterans with a wide range of needs, including physical disabilities, developmental differences, mental health challenges, trauma, and life-skills development.
We offer adaptive riding, occupational therapy incorporating hippotherapy, equine-assisted learning, unmounted programs, educational outreach, and partnerships with mental health professionals, schools, and community organizations. What sets Southern Reins apart is our commitment to individualized, relationship-based programming. We meet people where they are and build from there.
We are known for being inclusive, thoughtful, and deeply mission driven. Our programs are not one-size-fits-all; they are intentionally designed to honor both the participant and the horse. I am most proud of the trust we have built in the community and the integrity of our work. Southern Reins is a place where people feel safe, seen, and empowered, and where horses are respected as partners in the process, not tools.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, I was driven, curious, and deeply empathetic. I have always been someone who connects strongly with animals and people, and I tend to notice things others might overlook. I was happiest outdoors, in barns, or doing hands-on work, anything that felt real and purposeful.
I have also always been a hard worker. Learning early on that opportunities are not handed to you shaped who I am today. That mindset, showing up, doing the work, and staying committed, still guides how I lead our programs at Southern Reins. Even as a kid, I was drawn to roles where I could help, problem-solve, and make a difference, which makes a lot of sense looking at where life eventually led me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.southernreins.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/southern.reins.equine.therapy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/southernreins/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/southern-reins-center-for-equine-therapy
- Twitter: https://x.com/SouthernReins
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@southernreins?_r=1&_t=ZP-93GXkewm2nO
