An adaptive therapy saddle made professional roper Randy Bird, who was paralyzed from the chest down in a truck accident in 1986, is now available to riders at Circle K Ranch, of Dolores.
After his injury, Bird developed a saddle that let him continue to ride. He produces it in shop in Celeste, Texas.
Aboard the saddle, he competed as the first paralyzed contestant in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and later won Reserve World Champion at the American Paint Horse Association World Show.
The Circle K Ranch fundraising drive for its first saddle culminated in a Cowboy Dinner and Show on Saturday, May 30, featuring a concert by cowboy singer and actor R.J. Vandygriff. Proceeds from the dinner and a silent auction went toward the $3,000 saddle.
“The Bird saddle, which keeps the rider upright and stable, eliminates the need for walkers. Experienced riders can even ride independently, without needing someone to lead the horse,” said Tom Jones, wrangler at, Circle K Ranch.
Circle K Ranch, which has partnered with Telluride Adaptive Sports, uses the Randy Bird Adaptive Therapy Saddle in its Wounded Warriors Program.
For more information, call Cindy Brannon at 970-562-3826.