Feature Friday – Spring Reins of Life – Christianna Capra

Howdy Folks, 

Christianna Capra founded Spring Reins of Life to offer healing and growing to people suffering from emotional and traumatic circumstances. She understood horses have a unique way of reaching into grieving, traumatized or stressed hearts and minds. With the help of some wonderful board members and a fantastic volunteer staff, and of course the fabulous horses, Spring Reins of Life today offers a wide range of programs, with 6 Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA) certified instructors.

Located in Central New Jersey, the EAGALA programs they offer are solution focused, and based upon discovery from the feedback, reactions and responses delivered by the horses. Participants learn about themselves by engaging in activities with the horses, and then by discussing metaphors, feelings, behaviors and patterns that were demonstrated during the group session without any judgment or preconceived outcomes.

There are programs designed to aid in the healing and recovery for Veterans returning home with PTSD. These programs focus on the barriers and special issues that surround the military.  The programs break down those barriers. Children bereavement and grief counseling programs focus on specific activities with the horses to help children and teens, as either individuals or groups, cope with grief and bereavement. Horses have a natural way of bringing about healing, just by being with them, interacting in a non-verbal way.

They also offer programs for At-Risk youths and addiction recovery. "Teen drug abuse, teen gang culture, teen alcoholism, teen pregnancy, teen violence and crime – these are not statistics that reside only in the inner cities and ghettos anymore. Studies show that in today’s world of single parents, dysfunctional family units, social issues and early exposure show no boundaries at putting nearly ALL teenagers “at-risk”…" Explains Christianna.

Currently Spring Reins of Life have waiting lists for both the Veterans and youth programs. But they forge on offering healing every day. Please explore their website and learn more about the innovative and effective programs promoting positive growth and healing. www.springreinsoflife.org    

Join them on Facebook (HERE) 

Spring Reins of Life is a non-profit 501c3 organization, and in order to offer these programs, this healing, free of charge they rely upon generous donations and funding.

Thank You everyone, and horses at Spring Reins of Life for all the love you give.

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry

"Feature Friday- Holistic Horse Care Cooperative-Robin Davis"

Howdy Folks,

 

The Holistic Horse Care Cooperative is a community of like minded animal lovers. Originally conceived by Robin Davis who was inspired by her mustang, Windman, it's a virtual Yellow Pages of holistic practitioners. Windman was rounded up as a young horse, snatched from the wild herd where he was being groomed to be a leader. Robin and Windman found each other after Windman had lived in 5 different homes. He brought with him a lot of emotional scarring. "Windman will not talk about his scarring. He wants us to see him, not his scars," Robin said.

Some of the horses at Mustang Hollow- Windman is the grey.

"Windman wants us to know that leadership is not about domination, but inspiration and compassion." Robin explained. "He wants us to help all horses really be horses and recognized for the gifts they bring. No matter how big or small those gifts."

It was with Windman's wisdom and guidance that Robin set out to create a way to encourage people to seek wholeness and harmony with all of Creation. Horses are such servants that Robin believes it is easy to lose connection with the harmony that can exist. "As we connect with our horses we begin to see them as the whole being they are, their mind, body spirit, and emotions, we begin to connect more deeply with Creation," Robin said.

Robin created Mustang Hollow, a few years ago, so her horses could run free on 80 acres near Nunn Colorado. She was exploring different healing and training techniques there and found how wonderfully wide the variation of themes could be. Recognizing the beauty of that variation, in 2009 she hosted the first, "Holistic Horse Affair "at Mustang Hollow. Many different practitioners came together to share ideas, learn from each other, and provide a means for horse owners to have available resources to care for their own horses, in a way that fit their needs. This hugely successful event was the birth of Holistic Horse Care Cooperative.

Harmony is a key element at Holistic Horse Care Cooperative. Dozens of holistic practitioners, all coming together to honor the horse (humans, and other animal companions). Many post articles, photos, and have events around holistic practices.  Most membership also give back to community, either humans, and/or animals in a variety of ways.  You will find craniosacral practitioners, bodyworkers, acupuncturists, holistic vets, homeopaths, natural hoofcare practitioners, whole horse balanced dentistry, EFT practitioners, Reiki practitioners, natural horse trainers, animal communicators, cold-laser and light therapy, nutrition, whole horse health and wellness, aromatherapy, equine assisted therapy, energy healing, horse rescues, hands on bodywork, the list goes on. Recognizing that each horse (and animal) is an individual which calls for individualized treatment.

The Mission of the Holistic Horse Care Cooperative is to:

1. Enhance the quality of life for the horses in our care.

2. Activate interest in Holistic Horse Care.

3. Encourage dialogue and information sharing surrounding Holistic Horse Care.

4. Educate participants (horse owners, suppliers, care providers, educators and trainers) of holistic modalities, their appropriate implementation and integral partnership with existing methods of care.

5. Empower horse owners to make informed, effective and sustainable decisions.

"Holistic Horse Care Cooperative is a circle of influence that honors the horse (and other animals and people as this ripples out). Although this is primarily about horses, I am going to cast the net out to include all beings we come in contact with.  Dutch, as you know, once you start down this path, what we do for our horses transfers on to how we are with each other and with other beings. This happens organically." Inez Donmoyer, a very active and devoted member, told me. She is so very correct.

Robin Davis on the road manning the Holistic Horse Care Cooperative booth.

Whether you are a long time believer, or just beginning your journey into the holistic way, you'll find a wealth of information on their website http://holistic-herd.com/ . Please consider becoming a member, your horse will thank you.

You can join them on Facebook here - https://www.facebook.com/Holistic.Herd

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry

"Feature Friday - Patti Jo Duda and the Equine Wellness Symposium"

Howdy Folks,

 

Tomorrow I'll be honored to be one of the demonstrators at the second annual Equine Wellness Symposium at the Greene County Fairgrounds in Waynesburg PA. The Symposium is a gathering of folks who are involved in helping horses have the healthiest, happiest lives possible. It's the brainstorm of Pattie Jo Duda who practices Equine Touch Therapy, a healing, holistic therapy for horses. As she worked with other peoples' horses she often thought of all the wonderful things folks offer to help horses, and their people. Those thoughts gave her the idea to bring as many of those people together and offer demonstrations for anyone who loves horses.

Anyone who has ever put together an expo, a show, or exhibit understands the complexity, hurdles and the dedication and commitment it takes to succeed. Patti Jo has that commitment, and this year the Equine Wellness Symposium proves to be a very exciting and informative event!

The fun starts Saturday at 8:00AM and runs through the day with clinics, demonstrations, talks and parades of breeds. On Sunday all the demonstrators will be available for private sessions. A wonderful touch! If you are anywhere near the Greene County Fairgrounds in Waynesburg PA you'll want to be part of the fun! Your horse endorses it!

8:00 am- "Barefoot Hoof Care" by Suzanne Warsinky of Appalachian Hoof Care. http://www.talk2thehoof.com/

8:30 am- "Reconnecting your horse to its feet" a series of relax and release exercises for your horse – Dutch Henry http://dutchhenry.blogspot.com/

9:30 am – "Trail Safety/First Aid" Robyn Yeager- https://www.facebook.com/robyn.yeager.5?fref=ts

11:00 am –"Nutrition For The Equine" Gary Sheet of Poulin Grain - http://www.poulingrain.com/

11:30 am –" Is it me or my horse?" Evon Montgomery of Horseloversguide - http://www.horseloversguide.com/

12:30 pm –"Wayfinding With Horses" Barbara Broxterman -- http://www.wayfindingwithhorses.com/ 

1:00 pm –"Holistic Veterianarian" – Dr. John C Harthorn DVM -

2:00 pm –"Advanced Whole Horse Dentistry" – Jamie Colder - http://www.advancedwholehorsedentistry.com/

2:30 pm –"Western Dressage" – Patrick King http://pkhorsemanship.com/

3:30 pm –"Overcoming your fear to ride again" Robyn Yeager

4:00 pm –"Equine Touch, body work for your horse" – Patti Jo Duda - http://www.theequinetouch.com/

5:00 pm RAFFLES!

Throughout the day there will be a few "Parades Of Breeds" too! 

A variety of vendors will be set up offering tack, supplies and other neat stuff. 

And you might track me down in case you'd like an autographed copy of "We'll Have The Summer."

Folks that's a whole lot of great exhibitors, clinicians and fun, packed into one day. Well worth the $15 admission. Have a look at the websites or Facebook pages of the demonstrators too!

Thank you Patti Jo for putting this all together!

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry