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Despite total loss of movement in his legs and lower back, Randy Bird demonstrates how his saddle design helped him rehabilitate, as well as ride and rope again. (APHA Photo/Abigail Wilder Boatwright)


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Happy at the prospect of riding her own horse, Katie Holland tries out one of Randy Bird’s therapy saddles during a recent visit to his ranch and workshop in Celeste, Texas. (APHA Photo/Abigail Wilder Boatwright)


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After a full day of consultation, measurements and test rides, Randy Bird and Katie Holland take time to fine tune details of the leather tooling to be done on Katie’s new saddle. The two accomplished and dedicated equestrians share a special bond and passion for riding. (APHA Photo/Abigail Wilder Boatwright)


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Randy Bird, second from left, in the saddle next to his son, Brett, at the 2001 World Championship Paint Horse Show. A truck accident that left Bird paralyzed from the mid-chest down has not deterred the team roper from getting back in the saddle and competing. And, now he is helping the American Paint Horse Foundation do the same for others who have suffered serious injury, but want to enjoy the world again on horseback. (Photo courtesy K.C. Montgomery)