Coffee Clutch with Dutch Henry: "Feature Friday

Friday, February 15, 2013

"Feature Friday – SpiritHorse At Black Fox"

Howdy Folks,

SpiritHorse At Black Fox provides free therapeutic horseback riding services to special needs children in the Southeast Tennessee, North Georgia and Western North Carolina. They specialize in children with autism spectrum disorder.

Steve Poteet his, wife Darlene, and daughter, Emily, had long wanted to share the spirit and joy of their horses with folks who may not have the ability to know horses on their own. They began seriously looking for a way to make it happen in 2008. In the winter of 2010 a friend sent them a newspaper clipping about the award-winning program of therapeutic riding at SpiritHorse International. They knew instantly this was exactly what they had been searching for.

SpiritHorse Therapeutic Center at SpiritHorse International in Corinth, Texas, founded by Charles Fletcher provides all private therapeutic horseback riding services free of charge in six programs: Disabilities, Children who are Victims of Abuse/Violence, At-Risk Youth, Battered Women, and Youth After-Drug Rehab. The SpiritHorse mission is, "To Assist Each Child with Special Needs in Reaching Their Full Potential through Interaction with Horses." SpiritHorse International has over 80 centers in the US and around the world providing free services to more than 5,000 children and adults.

Emily, and two additional instructors traveled to Corinth, TX for training and certification by Mr. Fletcher. Soon Black Fox Equestrian Center was certified as a SpiritHorse Center and brought in under the umbrella of SpiritHorse International. The program at Black Fox continues to benefit from the extensive research and development of new techniques by Mr. Fletcher and SpiritHorse International.

The core of any healing at SpiritHorse is the horse. Steven and the instructors know and appreciate that fact. They build on it. They champion the retired show horses and ponies, understanding these wise, giving and knowing horses have much to offer. That their spirit touches the spirit of the children, and teaches them. The horses at SpiritHorse At Black Fox have lifetime jobs and when their spirit moves on they are laid to rest under the big Mulberry tree in the back pasture. It's that kind of commitment and love that makes SpiritHorse a special place.

Please visit their website http://www.spirithorsetn.org/ to meet all the instructors and horses, and learn all about their unique programs. SpiritHorse At Black Fox is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation.

SpiritHorse International Website – www.spirithorsetherapy.com

Photos provided by SpiritHorse At Black Fox.

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry

8 comments:

KitFebruary 15, 2013 at 11:10 AM
Such a wonderful program! Thanks, Dutch, for spreading awareness! Be well, my Friend.
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AnonymousFebruary 15, 2013 at 12:25 PM
BRAVO to Steven and Spirit Horse for their FAB healing work..and bravo to you too Dutch for ALLL that you do for the best of horses,and their humans
Mary Ann
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PatriciaFebruary 16, 2013 at 10:16 AM
Thanks for telling us about this, Dutch. I will spread the word - happily!
Patti
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AnonymousFebruary 16, 2013 at 8:04 PM
You know Dutch, the number of children being diagnosed with autism is exploding , not to mention all the other disabilities such as Asbugers and failure to thrive syndromes. The need for such facilities are tremendous and their growth cannot keep up with the needs. I have always wanted to run a facility for these special patients. Whatever information you have that could help me find resources to start the planning phases old be greatly appreciated. Mental health patients in this country have gone LONG ENOUGH without proper treatment or lack of treatment, which to me,is one of the major reasons for all of these senseless tragedy s we have been experiencing. Anyway, thanks gain for sharing your stories which always inspire me to be a better person.

Kathy
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Welcome to the Coffee Clutch

Welcome to the Coffee Clutch, a happy place to visit. I write uplifting stories about a wide variety of subjects from horses to birds and nature, to love and family and friends. Sometimes I'll post excerpts from stories I've written for Equine Publications. Sometimes I'll post about writing itself. Coffee Clutch got its name because I often write while enjoying my morning coffee in the barn with my mare Kessy, and all our critters. Join us here for fun conversation and stories I promise will make you feel good.

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