Banjo's Twister Bar(Banjo)
Co-Founder, Chief Grounding Partner & The Heart of Walkin’ TUPH
Before Walkin’ TUPH ever became a non-profit, Banjo was just my partner in the dirt.
Born May 20th, 2003, in Texas, Banjo’s Twister Bar started life like every other horse, but his story wasn’t one filled with rolling grassy hills and all the oats he could consume. A friend of mine rescued Banjo after hearing reports of him chained up and forced into minimal movement—living the exact opposite life a horse is meant to live. She asked if I knew anyone looking for a roping horse, which led to me going out to check him out and taking him for a ride.
My friend went on to tell me what happened during the previous person's tryout ride: they had been ambushed by three aggressive neighborhood dogs. Banjo got spooked, dumped the rider into the dirt, and that quick spill killed any interest they had in him.
Well, during my ride, we came up to that exact same area. Sure enough, I saw those same dogs coming straight toward us. Without a second thought, I reached down, patted his neck, and told him to just ignore them—that we were going to be okay. Within moments, Banjo dropped his head and walked right past those dogs like they didn't even exist. It was in that exact second I knew: I belonged to him, and he belonged to me.
When you’re dealing with severe physical trauma, major surgeries, and the heavy mental weight of starting over when your old life gets ripped away, a horse doesn't care about your medical diagnosis, your past, or how tough you're trying to act on the outside.
Banjo doesn't lie, and he doesn't accept pretense. He reads your heart rate, feels every shift in your nervous system, and forces you to step right out of your head and anchor back into the present moment.
Standing at the end of a lead rope with him rewired my life when traditional medical settings and sterile rooms fell short. He is my quiet anchor through recovery, and the true driving force behind why TUPH exists today—to offer that same life-changing, non-judgmental connection to every survivor, veteran, and first responder who walks onto our grounds.
🐴 Role: Co-Founder, Chief Grounding Partner & Heart of TUPH
🤠 Owner: Patrick Lynn💡 Special Skill: Reading nervous systems, lowering heart rates, and keeping it real
🌱 Favorite Quote: "In the dirt with a horse, there’s no room for pretending."