Loving Thunder waves a hoof as it leaves its Corrales home

The Loving Thunder Therapeutic Riding held a sale Aug. 30 to get ready for its move to its Rio Rancho ranch.

Mike Raupp, co-founder, CTRI, ESMHL and barn manager, says the organization will still maintain its belief that if someone needs help, they will give it — just not in Corrales anymore.

"We are still going to be Loving Thunder. We're going back to our place in Rio Rancho," Raupp said.

He added that even though he is no therapist nor expert in these matters, he knows that the horses help people and hopes that they continue to do so in Rio Rancho.

"The horse is like a sponge; it sucks the bad out of here, and when you're here you forget about your troubles," he said.

What Loving Thunder needs now is for the community to help in any way they can.

"Keeping horses ain't cheap," he said.

As a nonprofit running this kind of business, the needs vary.

"We always need volunteers. You know, sponsor a horse or sponsor a rider," he said.

Raupp also says the programs like the jail program will stay and they will keep most of their clientele. "But we need people that will help us with costs," he said.

He says the cheapest horse can cost anywhere from $400 to $800 to sponsor.

"We would like it to be free, but since COVID, a lot of the grants have gone away," he added.

For now, Loving Thunder is selling all kinds of gear and tools. The sale continues from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, and Sunday, Sept. 1.