Party Barn meets Veterans!

I am very blessed to work with a wonderful organization called Saratoga War Horse. SWH provides an experiential process that pairs veterans with off the track thoroughbreds for mutually beneficial time together. We use a series of exercises in the round pen that helps to build trust in the horse and confidence in the veteran. It is an amazing thing to watch nervous horses start to tune into unsure veterans, and in a matter of minutes, watch a bond develop to the point the horse usually follows the veteran around without a lead rope or a halter!

This was Party Barn's first outing. We arrived at Equine Rescue of Aiken, the host facility of SWH, where Jim Rhodes greeted us and had a wonderful paddock space available for Party that was right outside my window of where I would teach the lecture part of the day! I have to admit it was hard to pay attention to my presentation with my love right outside the window prancing and dancing!

He was very excited and it took him a bit to settle into the new location. At lunchtime, a volunteer brought a cake for us to have after lunch! I borrowed the cake and took it out to Party Barn to show him. He, I am sure, thought it was for him and this wonderful occasion of him participating in our class! And yes, he got a bit of frosting!!

The afternoon session went amazingly well. He was full of energy, and his veteran was excited and followed the process perfectly. Before too long, veteran and horse were moving around the pen like one! I was so very very proud of Party Barn and the veteran I had tears in my eyes! (Due to confidentiality agreements I cannot use the name of the veteran who participated with Party Barn) It was an amazing and wonderful day!

I feel so fortunate to be able to share my boy in the Saratoga War Horse Classes! It was so good for them both!

Save