"Spirituality and Horses ... and Us"

Howdy Friends, 

Anyone who has ever sat with a horse alone in a barn, walked a trail among natures beauty with a horse, or hugged a horse's neck while crying out tears of sad, happy or worry has felt the spirit of the horse connect to their heart. I was about 10, sitting with the horses one of the first nights on the farm I'd been dumped off on like a stray cat. I didn't have any tears, or hope, or dreams left, but I remember it was the first time in my young life I'd ever felt safe, welcome. I didn't know it then, but it was the first time I'd felt the spirit of the horse.

Kessy and me

It would be nearly half a century later while Reiki Master Maxine was helping me that together we discovered my spirit guides are horses. It was an extraordinary moment, though deep inside perhaps not a total surprise.

I've long said horses and humans have a spiritual connection on a level so different than any other. Of course dogs and cats and many animals have connections that are wonderful, but horses, if we let them, will touch and guide us in ways that connect to our spirit, our soul and our hearts.

As I say in my tribute to horses, "Horses Among Us Thank God," – "When I think of the horse's spirit and how it has selflessly carried the spirit of man through the ages I'm awed at the nobility of them. How they have answered every call with strength, beauty and unquestioning devotion.  No matter the sacrifice. Today, the noble horse is embarking on perhaps its most important calling … The healing of man." It is with that tremendous spirit they will selflessly heal us, make us better beings. It is out there for all to see in the explosion of Equine Assisted Therapy programs and centers throughout the world.

If we listen our horses will teach us about patience, kindness and humbleness. They'll introduce us to beauty, connection and responsibility.

Even as tens of thousands stand enduring the unkind, ignorant hand of man in BLM holding pens, in torture barns of the TWH insanity and as other breeds suffer the heavy hand of man's misguided pursuit of fame, money and who knows what ... They wait patiently to teach us, heal us.

Their spirit is calling to us to understand there are things greater than money, fame and ourselves. Riding my mare Kessy alone through the forest she'll often stop and take a long soulful look into the trees. She's not always looking at anything in particular, I hear her telling me, "Take a moment to enjoy this." And together we do.

"Take a moment to enjoy this." Isn't that a beautiful sentiment? Spirits connect, minds and hearts come together. I see it all the time at Heartland Horse Heroes, and Inner City Slicker events when the magic touches the hearts, and spirits, of the young folks. They may not have totally understood, but they've felt the spirit of the horse.

Is there a spiritual connection between human and horse? You bet there is, and thank God for it.

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry

"Don't Let It Stop You!"

Howdy Friends!

Each time before I do an interview for a story I worry, sometimes for days, about it. Will I ask the right questions? Will I understand their meanings? How can I possibly write a story that captures their heart, meaning and essence? It often piles boulders of stress so heavy on me I sometimes get belly ache. And even as I begin the interview I continue to fret; am I hearing what they are saying, how can I tell this in an interesting way they will approve, can I capture their message?

I just finished my interview and story for one of the most wonderful horse women whose mission it is to encourage all of us to, "understand the whole horse," Dianne Little. As is my custom I sent my story to her for her approval and she wrote back. "Thank you Dutch.  You have done a wonderful job. I cannot comprehend how you gathered so much insight from my rambling thoughts. Not only are you an advocate for the horse, you are able to put your natural talent to work for that cause." 

I share this because I believe it can be a teachable moment. After the weekend of Inner City Slickers at Heartland Horse Heroes helping the young ladies understand the importance of managing self-doubt, and going for their dreams, and then Monday morning chatting with students at Appomattox Christian Academy about writing and confidence, I thought it might be a good example of how each of us may struggle with our own demons, worry, and self doubt, but if we learn to expect it, wrap our own strength of determination around it and march forward, we can conquer our fears, or at least put them in a box and succeed in our quest.

Will I be just as worried before my next interview, yup, I already am, but it won't stop me. Don't let it stop you.

Gitty Up ~ Dutch

Heartland Horse Heroes Second – Inner City Slickers Day

Howdy Folks,

Saturday, October 18, Heartland Horse Heroes held their second Inner City Slickers (ICS) day. ICS, founded by Michael McMeel, former drummer for Three Dog Night, is a program where at-risk youth spend a day on a ranch, farm or equestrian center learning through ranch and equestrian chores, activities and fun, by the "Cowboy Code," they indeed are important, they have purpose, can build self esteem, trust and feel honor. There is a real magic in the day and you can read more about Michael and ICS HERE.

Heartland Horse Heroes had invited girls from the Discovery School, and beforehand we had asked for each girl to write a short note about themselves, their fears, worries and why they were at the Discovery School. Michael and I reviewed the stories Friday evening, and they were so sad, tough to read. These 11 girls ranged in age between 12 and 17 and each had already in their young lives endured so much. No wonder self esteem, trust and honor were foreign to them. Let me mention here, we could not hold this program without our fantastic volunteers, some of whom drove 3 and 6 hours to be there.

LaRue Sprouse talking about holding onto your dreams no matter the obstacles

The day started with the participants' arrival, LaRue Sprouse, owner of Sprouses' Corner Ranch and host of Heartland Horse Heroes led them on a short farm tour. She paused at the big show ring and spoke about her own dreams, and the hurdles she needed to overcome to realize them. I took the moment to build on that and encouraged them to look around at the beauty, the horses, the world that LaRue had created. We talked about holding fast to your dream, expect people to tell you, "you can't do it," and forging ahead anyway - The only negativity that can touch you is what you allow, so you have it in your power to brush it aside, to grab your dream.

Michael explains the power of self confidence.

Michael began to talk and engage them, he asked real questions about being let down, about trust, respect. I watched closely their faces, saw some ready to trust him, others roll their eyes as if to say, "Heard all this before, no-one cares." He painted pictures they could see with his words, promised he would always be there for them, promised they could trust him, and themselves, and told them today would be a journey of building trust, confidence and self respect. He asked on a scale of 1 to 10 how much they trusted him – it varied from 5 to minus 8. He was cool with that and said it was a lot better than minus 10, we all had a nice chuckle and a bit of an engaging chat. But half the faces remained hard.

We then handed out journals, and asked them to write their first thoughts of how they felt that moment. On the first page is pasted the commitment they must sign "I believe in myself – If I fall I will get up – If I'm beaten I will return – I will never stop getting better – I will NEVER give up – EVER!" Each time they open their journal they will see their commitment. We encouraged them to write in it daily happy, sad, mad – it doesn't matter, write it.

We created teams or "posses" who would work and play and take the challenges together. Some of the activities were competition, each posse member would help, support and encourage the team. And we set out about the glorious day. First we worked, real ranches have real work, we mucked paddocks and cleaned tack. Of course at first there was a bit of confusion, hesitation but as minutes wore on teamwork and cooperation began to lighten the load, and faces. Always Michael was there to encourage and inspire, as he promised he would be. All the volunteers were, too.

The "Fall Of Faith"

The first challenge was the "Fall Of Faith." A 10 foot step ladder the girls were to step up as high as they could bear, cross their arms and fall back, trusting that the adults, and a few team members would catch them. Great fear and doubt kept anyone from being willing, but Michael reminded them, he, and all of us were there to catch them, they would never fall alone. Eventually one girl went first to great cheers! Then another and another, the cheers and encouragement got louder, funnier and soon even the most timid girl took the fall ... Several insisted on going again as they wanted to step higher up the ladder. I studied their faces, by the end of this first challenge not a single face lacked a smile, all hard faces had melted a little already. And Michael's lowest score was now minus 5.

Relaxing in the sun for lunch

Then lunch, which proved to be a circus of laughter and giggles as each girl relived their "not very scary" fall of faith. Michael drifted among them, as we sat in the sun warmed grass, and told stories about everything from his recording and TV and acting days to his first horse. Then he started roping the "straw steers" and some of the girls had short but successful lariat tossing lessons.

 

Learning about balance, trust and connection with Sandman's help

It was time to ride now, and LaRue's fine and devoted lesson horses, Donny, Sandman and Penny entered the ring. A few girls were extremely eager, a few timid, a few refused, at first. Now riding time at a "Slicker" is about much more than riding, which is done bareback. It's about discovering the spirit of the horse, learning to hear the horse and facing fears, if there are any, with the help of the horse. I gave a little talk on the connection between horses and humans while volunteers readied the girls with helmets.  First they mingled with the horses, some touched, others hugged, and finally a few rode. And with Michael's promised support and encouragement, eventually everyone rode. I noticed even the most isolated girls began to join in the fun, the posses mingled together, all helped one another. Michael's score moved up to an even zero.

Teamwork, high spirits and reaching high for a goal, the Cowboy Toothpick

For the next hour we played confidence and team and trust building games, the "Cowboy Toothpick," a 12 foot high pole and each posse collaborates to drop 3 rings over the top – it takes real teamwork to get a posse member up that high! But with effort, teamwork and plenty of cheering and laughter they got it done, together!

 

Ridin' high with new found confidence on the wild Barrel Bull (I wish I could paste here the thundering cheers of encouragement!)

The day's highlight, and most demanding and thrilling challenge, the barrel bull ride, was saved for last. Each step of the way all day is carefully orchestrated to build high spirits, self confidence and trust, and even though each participant by this time had overcome fears, and built trust, in themselves, each other, Michael and our volunteers, that high swinging barrel gave them all pause ... For about a minute. Then cries of encouragement convinced one girl to ride high, and soon everyone rode the barrel bull, laughing, screaming and loving it. Michael told them, "It only takes balance, just like life."

Ending the day with thoughts about living and loving life with self respect, courage, faith, dreams and purpose.

We ended the day back in the barn where we all talked at once, laughed about the silliness of the day and congratulated everyone on their success and spirit of going for it. I looked carefully at tired, dirty, happy faces ... not a single uninterested or hard face could be found. I got the feeling for some of them it may well have been the most fun day they could remember, perhaps ever had. Michael assured them he, and we, would always be there for them, they were never alone again, they could contact him, or us, anytime. for any reason. Michael asked them to write another entry in their journals, that they might have today to turn to, always. Michael's "trust" score had skyrocketed to 15!

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry

Photos by Connie Bloss and Cynthia Drew -

"A Mighty Important Weekend!"

Howdy Folks, 

This is a pretty darn exciting weekend for ol' Dutch, and a whole bunch of other folks, too. This weekend will be our second Inner City Slicker day at Heartland Horse Heroes. I missed the first one, absenteeism driven by my cardiac adventure.    I'd written a story (you can read it here) about Michael McMeel and his program, Inner City Slickers, for at-risk youth for my Heartbeats column in Trail Blazer magazine and worked a year to bring it Heartland Horse Heroes, then went and missed the big day.

Michael McMeel

Michael always comes to an outfit's first "Slicker," that's what he calls the day the youngsters come to learn about confidence, self worth, trust and honor to the cowboy code, to make sure all the volunteers are trained and everything is just as it should be. Since I missed our big day I told Michael he had to come to our second Slicker so we could meet. During our interview for the story, and the communications to become affiliated with Inner City Slickers we had of course talked a lot on the phone, but by golly I wanted to meet the man who created a program that to date has touched the lives of over 10,000 young adults! And meet the former drummer of Three Dog Night, yup Michael sure was ... And he played at our barn dance too back in April, and of course I missed that too!

I know, I'm making this sound all about me, and by golly I must admit to some degree it is VERY important to me – But it's really about the youngin's and their challenges, dreams and desires, and FUN!

Michael and some of our volunteers from the Slicker this spring - Nothing happens without Volunteers -

Michael will be rollin' in a bit before noon today, and I'm sure gonna be at Heartland Horse Heroes to greet him, shake his hand, and drink a cup or three of black gargle with him.

About noon I'll mosey to the barn to meet our world class volunteers and we'll all give the horses a little "Therapy For Therapy Horses," exercises. Our horses are never asked to work without their release and relax exercises, we have the most wonderful volunteers who have mastered them ... Then at 1:00 the children from Buckingham Co School arrive for their Friday afternoon therapeutic riding session. We have a great group of children each week who continue to make terrific strides.

Friday afternoon therapeutic riding at Heartland Horse Heroes

Tonight we'll gather around a campfire for some volunteer orientation and visiting ... and Michael said he'll bring his guitar and pick a song or three. It's no barn dance, but it's gonna be great!

That's the "Cowboy Toothpick"

Tomorrow bright and early the young adults, who are the reason for this shindig, will arrive and the Slicker fun will begin. Michael has a well detailed formula for the day that helps youngsters who doubt themselves experience life changing moments. They'll be facing challenges that teach them teamwork, trust, self reliance, confidence, honor and respect. They'll rope a wooden steer, climb the cowboy toothpick, ride the barrel bull, climb the ladder, ride bareback, tell, and listen to stories and have an all around great day. And by golly I'll be there to see all the magic happen, this time.

Horses bring their magic to heal others

You all have a swell weekend too!

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry

Feature Friday – Inner City Slickers – Michael McMeel

Howdy Folks, 

 

In today's fast paced and often troubled world it's easy for children to lose, or not even discover, their self esteem, ability to trust, even love. Children today too often grow up in neighborhoods swimming in guns, drugs and violence. In our modern throw-away society where can they turn to seek role models? Direction? Who hears them when they turn to self destruction and violence in their quest to be noticed?

Michael McMeel 

One man who noticed them tugging on his heart back during the riots of the early '90s is Michael McMeel, former drummer for the band, Three Dog Night. Michael could not have imagined how that first hear-tug would lead him to create a national program that, to date, has touched and changed over 10,000 young lives. The program he would found in 1992 is called, "Inner City Slickers." 

But Michael started connecting with young folks in the cities long before founding Inner City Slickers. Of course with his music, but also his TV show, The Krofft Super Show with Kaptain Kool and the Kongs, and organizing musical events in churches, synagogues and wherever he could bring young folks together to show them the good that lived inside them. To shine a light on what they could be. It was during that period he realized changing directions of young folks was a real possibility, and he set out determined to do just that. He founded, The Awareness Foundation, a non-profit to help "at-risk children" in 1992; the first step in creating, Inner City Slickers, the theme inspired by the movie, City Slickers.

His first "Slickers" event was on a rented camp not far from LA. Organizing an event set with a western them with ranch activities, horses and a little work and focus. In that one day Michael saw hearts change. Attitudes brighten. Optimistic and encouraged he bought a small ranch of his own for the purpose of hosting more "Slickers." His dedication to the children, and the program, and with help of donors and volunteers the ICS idea took root and sprouted branches. Seven years ago he and his wife Erlinda relocated to a farm in TN which operates as home base and hosts several "Slicker" events a year. But that's just the beginning. The branches that have sprouted now go nationwide, and beyond. There is even a Slicker possibility in Costa Rico!

All smiles at the end of the day at a Michigan Slicker event :)

What is an Inner City "Slicker event?" It's a one day event hosted by anyone who wants to help at-risk kids, has a few horses and suitable home base, or can find someone who has one. Michael travels to each event and helps with set-up and out-reach. He personally sets up the mechanical bull! At-risk children are engaged in western theme, including the "Cowboy Code of Ethics" and ranch like activities, and of course plenty of horse time.

Feeling the power of "The spirit of the horse"

By the end of this year there will be 18 Slicker locations across the country, where young folks come to get a leg up on "Kindness, Dependability, Keeping Your Word, Being Responsible and learning what it’s like to Trust and Respect the horses, themselves and each other…ethical and moral codes that will stay with them throughout their lives." Can a one day event do all that? "You bet," Michael says. "We see it over and over. It sets a new course." And they have thousands of letters to prove it. "And let's don't forget the follow up. Making sure we keep in touch with these kids, to keep the fire burning."

Michael points out that folks simply don't understand we are losing too many of our kids. They disappear down the whirlpool of low self esteem, drugs, crime, mistrust and lost hope. He is dedicated to saving those kids. Inner City Slickers is a remarkable, and fun, program doing just that.

How can you be part of the excitement of changing lives, sparking hope? Many of our Coffee Clutch readers and friends already have facilities and horses where you could host an Inner City Slicker Event. Or can make contacts to co-host one at a friend's. Don't worry, you won't be on your own, Michael will personally come to guide you each step of the way from contacting organizations and services who know of children who would benefit, to setting up and actually be on hand to help you host your first Slicker. Yes, he travels, a lot!

Michael givin' "Bull Ridin' Lessons"

How can you get started? Contact Michael by email at michael@innercityslickers.com or by phone – home- 423-289-3820.  Cell-423-489-8614.  Can't be easier than that.

Michael introducing children to a horse at a Slicker event

Have a look at their Website HERE and their Facebook page HERE, be sure to join their group. There's a lot going on, and many young lives being changed.

It can happen in a moment ... Inner City Slickers

Inner City Slickers knows we have it in us to save these kids. To be the role models, and offer direction and goals. Thank you Michael for offering a hand to so many.

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry.

Letter to Inner City Slickers ...