"Feature Friday-David Lichman's-Benefit Tour-Horses Healing Humans"

Howdy Folks,

A North American tour to benefit equine-assisted programs and youth organizations coast to coast! What a fantastic adventure! Master horse trainer David Lichman will be touring this summer performing with his personal horses for the first time in his 25 year career of helping people and their horses achieve extraordinary results.

Julio and David doing the Spanish Walk, at liberty ...

Beginning August 9, in Moscow, ID, and continuing on to 9 cities across the country and Canada, David and his 3 horses, Julio, Thirteen and Scotty will perform their "Horses~At~Liberty~Musical~Magical~Educational," a Friday evening extravaganza of dancing, playing and riding, demonstrating the remarkable bond that can be realized with a horse. David will also conduct a 2 day clinic on each Saturday and Sunday helping folks to understand how to achieve this bond with their own horse.

 

Julio, Thirteen, Scotty and David dancing magically...

Many people know David as a 5 Star Parelli trainer, who is devoted to helping horses and their people achieve the best possible partnerships. Driven by a passion to help folks and their horses, David has traveled the world hosting clinics and teaching ... Not as many people know of David's commitment to help children, and grown folks who, for whatever the reason or circumstance, can benefit from an equine connection.

It was while watching his daughter, some years ago, volunteering at an Equine Assisted Therapy Center, that he first realized the healing magic that lives within the horse. He'd always been keenly aware of the connection between human and horse, but this day, watching a young autistic girl smile for the first time in her life while sitting a horse, David felt a new dimension of that healing. He was never able to forget the feeling that moment gave him. Quietly, over the years, David has helped promote equine assisted therapy and often wondered how he might do more.

 

David leading the dance ...

While planning and scheduling this fabulous and exciting summer tour he had a thought. What if at each tour stop he featured someone from a local equine assisted organization as a special guest? That thought grew and grew. What if they not only featured them, but helped raise much needed operating funds for them? So in association with the Parelli Education Institute, David came up with a strategy to donate fifty percent of the proceeds to the marvelous equine organizations devoted to helping others. It is his hope to raise between $10 and $20,000.

To see the tour schedule follow this link -  http://www.davidlichman.com/tour_tickets.php

Tickets are only $15 in advance ~ Children under 12 Free!

To watch a video of the magic Friday night show follow this link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2fIZhAKfbw&feature=youtu.be

If you're close to one of the 9 locations of this magical tour, be sure to sign on! What a wonderful way to build on the relationship with your horse while you're helping others build smiles.

Thank you David for all you do to help others, you are changing lives. Horses and humans.

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry

"Feature Friday-Wings Of Hope Ranch"

Howdy Folks,

There is a small ranch in Montpelier Virginia where once discarded and neglected horses, now rescued and healthy, help to nurture and heal children who are facing challenges. Children who have suffered abuse, neglect, and any manner of troubles can find peace, growth and love at this little ranch aptly named, "Wings Of Hope Ranch."

You can feel the peace and love at Wings of Hope Ranch

Wings Of Hope Ranch is a Christian based non-profit organization dedicated to offering new and bountiful lives to children and horses by offering a safe environment where the horses can heal and the children can learn about love and caring. Together they help each other start new lives.

Co-founders Jane Yancey and Alison Boyd had a dream in 2006 to help troubled children find their way clear and onto new starts, and that vision included horses as teachers. Both Jane and Alison were lifelong horse lovers and they knew too often horses needed to be rescued too. There plan would be to rescue horses who would then be the healers of the children. Healing together and learning from each other, horses and children each could celebrate new beginnings.

Since its beginning in 2006 the services at Wings Of Hope Ranch have been offered free of charge, and no staff or volunteers are paid. Word spread quickly of the good that is done there and the program grew and grew. Today there are approximately 2700 visits a year by children, people attending services, working and volunteering. The ranch is open 5 days a week and children come to receive services each day.

Many of the children who visit the ranch have been abused, are in family crises, were orphaned, adopted at a late age, have a family member that is dying or recently died, too often more than one of these issues all at the same time. The goal is to continue to rescue and rehabilitate horses in need and utilize these great animals and their gifts to break down barriers humans cannot touch. Many parents or caretakers find Wings of Hope Ranch to be the one thing that "works" for their child.

Wings of Hope Ranch also has an extremely successful mentorship program for the youth who graduate from the program and desire to stay involved and continue to pass on the healing by becoming a leader. It is called the "Youth Leader" program. This program meshes together these graduates with teen leaders from the community who come along side them and work with both the horses and children in the program. "It is a blessing to watch these teens blossom in this special environment." Said Alison.

Youth Leaders carry the healing forward

What a wonderful world exists on that little ranch in Montpelier. A place of love, healing and rebirth. For children and horses. Please visit their website to learn more http://www.wingsofhoperanch.org/ 

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry