EHAL Magazine May 2019

Everything Horses and Livestock Magazine ®

HOME, AWAY FROM HOME! Horses changing heart, mind and spirit at New Horizon Ranch I n the summer of 2016, a young, withdrawn and RELUCTANT camper by the name of Keira, attended a summer day camp at New Horizon Ranch in Rantoul, KS. She didn’t realize it yet, but she was missing a piece of her puzzle and New Horizon Ranch (NHR) and the NHR horses were going to help her find it. Though she admittedly didn’t want to be there, it wasn’t long before the horses won her over and she began to find herself through her interactions with horses. Through the firm but consistent mentoring and redirecting of the NHR staff, and the unconditional love of the NHR herd, there was a slight change in Keira’s attitude, motivation and self-confidence. One week of horse camp wasn’t enough to satisfy her new appetite for being around horses and she began weekly lessons at NHR that fall. She and her family soon realized that interaction with the horses was something that Keira needed weekly to help her be more attentive and patient, helping her develop skills to use when working through problems. Very quickly Keira found she was comfortable, loved and accepted at NHR. She was safe and “at home” in this new place and it began to hold a special place in her heart! Horses provide unique opportunities for personal growth and ways to challenge oneself to become better from the first moment being around them. This was the case for Keira at NHR. She had an incredible motivation to be around the horses and to learn, but she struggled with memory, awareness and problem solving. There were many lessons when her instructor, Ms. Joy, pushed Keira - challenging and encouraging her to keep her own.

trying until she learned to solve the problems on her own.There were many times when grooming and saddling took the majority of her lesson time…but then it happened! Keira showed up with the incredible determination to groom and saddle on her own and SHE DID IT, all by herself with only the watchful eye of NHR staff and volunteers. She remembered all of her equipment and how to use the tools and how to saddle her horse! VICTORY!!!

“They make us feel like family! I, as well as Keira feel at home

around this ranch that is filled with laughter, hugs, and joy that surrounds us every step we take while we are there. From the horses that look as if they are giving kisses, baby kittens, hugs from volunteers and staff, the "new" addition of the foal, goats, ponies, camps, and the list just continues... We have been going to this ranch for a little over a year, but it seems so much longer than that and my wish is for more and more people to realize what an impact this place makes. If only, I had found out earlier what I know now. Keira loves the staff and the horses! They are really the only thing she thinks about on a daily basis. If we lived any closer, I think we could "wear out" our welcome, because she loves it that much and it "grounds" her behavior and demeanor. Her personality just changes for the better when she is there and really helps her "focus" better overall when around the horses and the ranch. Keira has found a "true" love for horses and never wants to stop riding.” ~ Jackie (Keira’s mom)

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Everything Horses and Livestock® | May 2019 | EHALmagazine.com 6