At first glance the assumption could be made that the only group benefiting are the rider/participants when, in fact, so much more is going on. No person, no animal comes to Courage Reins without something almost magically happening. The child with something to look forward to, bragging rights at the lunch table about an upcoming horseshow she will be in, that quiet confidence gained as she partne
rs with a horse ten times her size. The parents, probably always tired parents, whose hearts ache for their child to have as much from life as can be squeezed. To sit alongside another parent and share stories, possible resources and just be a cheerleader instead of the nurse, physical therapist and constant companion
The tireless volunteers. Here in the heat, in the freezing cold. Here to greet a new horse, here to mourn the passing of old friends. Earning lessons with their service only to pass them along to a student in need. This is not an easy place to serve. Sometimes you are asked to give pass the point of comfort. You become a better person. You will learn lessons that can only be had through the sacrifice of yourself. You will be forever marked by the experience if you let it. The staff, most having already proved themselves as volunteers and coming to us with a variety of different equine backgrounds, to serve our special population. All having given so much more in time and effort then they've been paid. These are 110% employees with the endurance and strength to serve day after day, year after year. People use to putting the needs of others ahead of themselves. The horses. These gentle creatures seem to know and understand that they have a job, they have a purpose. Simply put we couldn't do it without them. And so we care for them to our best ability because they are truly our partners in all this.
