The Charlton School Retires One of Its Equine Program’s Founding Horses

SARATOGA SPRINGS — FlyBoy “Fly” has been with The Charlton School for eight years. He was one of the first horses that Jessica “Jess” Knapp, LMFT, PATH TRI/ESMHL, Director of Therapeutic Equine Services at The Charlton School (TCS) brought into the program. Today, the Equine Program at TCS has 9 horses in total with an indoor stable and riding center utilized by students and families throughout the year. Before Fly joined their program, the program operated out of its maintenance garage and had a total of three horses. 

Like many of the students at The Charlton School, Fly came to TCS with anxiety related to trauma. Fly has lived on a small farm for most of his life. He resided there with two other horses, four goats, and a donkey. When the couple who owned the farm decided to sell the property and move south, they could not take their animals with them, so they dispersed their unique herd to various new homes. Fly was given to a local ranch but the rocky mountain rides that ranch horses daily work were too much for Fly’s joints, which already showed signs of arthritis. As chance would have it, when Knapp contacted the ranch to see if they had any horses suited to the program, Fly was offered to her. Fly proved to be a perfect fit on campus. 

“He was afraid to connect at first due to the sudden transitions that he had experienced in going from his longtime farm to the ranch and then to The Charlton School, but he has since become a wonderful example of the amazing things that can happen when you’re in a safe enough place to take a risk and trust,” said Knapp. 

For nearly a decade, The Charlton School’s Equine Program continues to be a major part of its students’ individualized treatment plan and experience at TCS. Students participate in this unique program on a weekly basis and learn skills and relationship development with the horse they partner with throughout the entirety of their stay. 

Fly’s caseload celebrated his career at TCS with a luncheon on Friday, Oct. 29. The event was a planned opportunity for his students to share and reflect upon his role in their lives, as well as to process the transitions that he (and they) are about to make.

“Very few horses possess the skills and heart necessary to help others in the way that our horses at The Charlton School do every day,” said Knapp. “Fly is one of the special ones that ended up exactly where he was meant to be.”

Flyboy will remain on campus, his home, for all his days to come.