For The Horses

As I was thinking this week about what I could write I feel like I have left out a big part of what I have been doing and will be doing.  While some of you may think I'm simply working at a barn with horses, which is partially true, yesterday I got to see how the two really coincide.  That is, how the horses fit into the program.  Oak Ranch has 8 horses that they care for and use weekly for the purposes of counseling and as an outlet for the students. 

Yesterday was the girls riding lesson and as many of you know eastern North Carolina has been experiencing some sweltering heat and it only gets better on the back of a horse.  Several of the girls are inexperienced riders and an already frustrated young lady on a hot day does not mix well with a hot stubborn horse.  We had the girls tack up and then two at a time they had to go over a cavaletti (a raised pole) and then they had to go over a crosspiece (2 poles with one end raised so that they make an 'X' in the middle).  In order to this there has to be good communication between the horse and rider.  Some of the girls had to walk while more experienced riders had to pick up a trot to go over the obstacles. 

Working with horses there is one thing I have learned and that the girls are learning, you are not asking but telling.  So while the girls are on the horse this is one situation in their life where they can have 'the reins' and control the situation.  For some this can be fairly frustrating as both horse and rider have to be willing to put in an effort to work through the situation.  We have one young lady who has burnt so to speak on a lot of things in her life and she also told us that she didn't like horses (and of course she was on the difficult one of the day) but with a little coaching and encouragement she was able to complete the course and feel good about the ride.  One other young lady who will be going home next week wanted to have a great last ride but frustrations from school came out as she tried to handle the horse and it was not going her way.  Once again we were able to share with her how she can be in control and how sometimes just like in life you have to stop, take a breather and then regroup just as she did with her horse. 

While I cannot tell you specifics of any of the students I'm working with please know that what may seem like small lessons on a horse can really make a difference when they get back to they house or even to school.  In the short time I have been here I have seen this and much more.  I really wish that more people could see the OR program or Baptist Children's Home for that matter the way I am seeing it.  These students are offered as much support and love that one can give and for some it is something they have never seen. 

On a last note we tell everyone to make each ride end on a good note.  Please pray this week for the ladies who are getting anxious about going home and that they can make a positive transition home.  Most of them have never said goodbye on good terms so for an upcoming good goodbye they just don't know how.  Please pray for the 4 new girls that will be coming in the next couple of weeks for their transitions here and also pray for each of the students families as they are broken and healing too.