Why are horses important? Believe me, I’ve asked myself this question many times. Now that we have cars, who really needs a 1,200+ lbs. pet? A big animal means big messes. Not just that, but how about owning a pet that could hurt you inadvertently? How smart is that? But even as we spit out the excuses as fast as they pop into our head, the flip side is well…..dull. And as the Bilbo-Baggins-inside-of-each-one-of-us says, “I think I am quite ready for another adventure.” Anyone who’s ever been in the company of a beautiful horse knows the longing to reach out and touch it, to talk with it, to move beyond admiration to interaction.
But the attraction truly goes beyond admiration. There is a God built-in uniqueness to the design of the horse. People ask, “Is there anything to Equine Therapy?” The answer is a firm ‘yes.’ Horses help men. There is a saying that the “outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man.” They have an uncommon electrical wiring in their heart system. And the range of the electrical clap of their heartbeat spreads to a sphere that includes the flat faced, bi-ped human standing at the other end of the rope. The horse has been specifically designed for the man by God. To work alongside, ride and befriend. They challenge us, make us smarter, and if we have a healthy heart, they make us softer and stronger at the same time.
To have a good horse, a good horse, means good training. And to start off on the right foot, we had a visit from some friends of the ministry, Richard and Susan Kurz, who support the horse program at WSS and who sit on the board of a very unique ministry. Beautiful Brokenness ministry was founded by Katy Pistole for the purpose of bringing people and horses healing through the power of the Holy Spirit. Horses, besides being extremely relational, are a wonderful way to present the gospel to those who have had trauma, abuse, or neglect in their lives. Find out more by following the link to their site. And I’ll include some video clips in an upcoming blog.
And keep reading! and exploring! and adventuring! Maybe you have a young person who is interested in becoming a wrangler? Maybe you like White Sulphur Springs and want to follow a good story. Or maybe you are interested in learning more about God. Those are great reasons to follow along on Freya’s blog.
Our horses are a community affair. Would you consider donating for hay, farrier care, repairs to tack, medication, or even sponsoring Freya or your favorite horse? Please join us on the the horse adventure!
Susan and I and Katy had a wonderful visit last week. Freya is an amazing horse. I had almost a half hour of personal time with her while Susanne, Emily and Katy went down to the barn to get some tack. She got to sniff me plenty while I scratched her withers and forehead, so next time I see her she’ll remember me.
Great post, Susanne! So excited to be part of Freya’s wonderful journey with WSS!
I am excited too! It’s going to be a great process
Thank you Katy! She’s training really well. Each day another small progression. I am happy to see that she remains her curious peaceful self and actively tries to accommodate. Yesterday we had her down by the stream. She was VERY unsure about the moving water. But within 10-15 minutes she had put her nose to the water. Just one time – but victory! Eventually she’ll cross steams with no hesitation.
I completely agree with this post on why horses are important! While owning a horse may seem like a lot of work, the benefits are truly remarkable. The unique bond between horses and humans is unparalleled, and they have the ability to bring out the best in us. As someone who has experienced the healing power of horses, I can attest to the truth behind the statement that “the outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man.”
One aspect of owning a horse that can be challenging is ensuring they are calm and relaxed. That’s where horse calming supplements come in. They can help reduce anxiety and nervousness in horses, making them more manageable and enjoyable to be around. It’s great to see organizations like Beautiful Brokenness ministry using horses to help people heal and find peace. Horses truly are a gift from God and have so much to offer. I’m looking forward to reading more on Freya’s blog and seeing those upcoming video clips!