Friday, July 28, 2017

A Horse to Heal a Heart

I had a guest and horse helper for the last few days, my nine year old grand-niece.


She washed Lily, the pony. She helped me trim her bridle path.  She led her through the obstacles in my arena.


My grand-niece lost her mom last year about this time, and as you can imagine, it has been a painful journey for her. But she loves the horses.  Horses heal hearts.


In fact, I know a horse who lost his mom, too.


Cowboy hasn't ever been a kid's horse or, for that matter, given kids rides at all.  When I first put her on his back, he looked unsure.


But after some wither scratches and rubs along his mane, he was melting in her hands.


He even allowed her to lead him through the obstacles.


I was proud of Cowboy.


My grand-niece now lives with my sister and her husband--her grandparents--and we plan to get her up here to the horses as much as possible.

There is a non-profit center in her town that helps children who are grieving.  It's called the Willow Center.


They meet every week and then have an annual summer camp for the kids.


There is currently an internet competition going on for a charity to receive a $5,000 donation and the Willow Center is vying for 1st place with three others.  Please click on this link-- Willow Center for Grieving Children --and click a vote for Willow Springs.  They don't ask for any information and you can vote from anywhere.  You can also vote every day!  If you can take a second and help them out, I thank you!  My grand-niece, and many more children who have lost moms, dads, sisters and brothers, are being helped tremendously. 

And, a little horse time doesn't hurt either!