our Spring 2013 newsletter. - Resolution Horse Company

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A Horse and a Butterfly .... The Resolution Horse Company is known for its work pairing horses with .... because of the wonderful people who have called.
News from the Resolution Horse Company ~ Spring 2013

A Horse and a Butterfly Terri Cavender

All of us pray that when our child is born they come into this world healthy and well equipped for a “normal” life. Most of us have our prayers answered. However, when six-year-old Maggie was born, she came into the world with cerebral palsy. Maggie has a huge advantage: she was born into a family that would love, nurture, challenge and accept her for who she is. Maggie is the oldest of four children. Her disability manifests itself through poor muscle control and tone, giving her limbs very spastic, tight mobility. She is nonverbal. However, her mind is very sharp and her disposition is eternally cheerful. A year ago, what communication Maggie had began to disappear and she began to withdraw into herself. At that point her parents decided that they needed to find a very special speech therapist to work with her and help give her a way to communicate. Their choice was Beth Browning. Beth began working with Maggie last winter. Her goals were to give Maggie a form of sign language, begin working with the spoken word, and use a mechanical communication device similar to an iPad to develop Maggie’s communication skills. By spring, Maggie had made tremendous

progress, but her muscle control and strength still needed a lot of work. At this point, Beth called Resolution and asked if there was any way that we might be able to work with Maggie and her to help develop Maggie’s speech and muscle control. This was uncharted territory for Resolution. We had never worked with a person with this kind of disability, but we were willing to give it a shot. So in June, Maggie came to visit us for the first time. The horse we chose for her was Feliz, a petite grey Arab mix. Feliz is a very calm mare who strives to please. The first few sessions we focused on developing the relationship between Maggie and Feliz, giving Maggie new sign language for her environment and letting Feliz get acquainted with Maggie’s special wheelchair. During these sessions we could be seen running down Rose Canyon Road with Beth pushing the wheelchair, Maggie holding the end of the lead rope, and Terri at Feliz’s head. This interaction was the springboard Maggie needed: her language skills began to blossom and her sunny personality began to reappear. By July, Beth and Terri decided that it was time to try expanding Maggie’s skills. Maggie (continued on page 2) 1

(Continued from page 1) needed to ride! So, riding double, with Maggie in front, Beth holding onto her from the back, and Terri leading Feliz, Maggie began working on muscle control and strength. Maggie’s smile became bigger, she belly-laughed and her language and muscle control improved. By the end of the summer, Maggie and Feliz were taking trail rides, jumping Rose Creek and trotting (all with the aid of Beth riding from behind, holding her on and Terri leading). She had sign language for the commands of walk on, faster and stop. She could verbally tell us “yes” or “no”. We watched Maggie come out of her cocoon and become a butterfly! Beth and Terri would love to take all the credit for the progress that Maggie made, but the truth

is that if Feliz had not been willing to cooperate, none of these experiences would have happened. Not only did this wonderful animal cooperate, but she would engage Maggie by dropping her head into Maggie’s lap so the child could smell and touch her. This was a team effort and Feliz went above and beyond the call of duty as a team member. Riding has now become a permanent part of Mag-

gie’s physical and speech therapy. This summer, her family dedicated a full month to fundraising so Maggie could start next riding season with a special saddle made to accommodate her disabilities. These saddles are very expensive, beginning in the $5,000 range. Resolution looks forward to having Maggie return next spring. We have missed our little butterfly and her never ending smile!

Final score for 2012: - In six months, 130 children rode 2,040 times - During summer, averaged 104 sessions/week - Used six horses. All exhausted 2

Meet Feliz, 2012 Horse of the Year Resolution Horse Company has the great privilege of providing a home to eight wonderful equines. Each one has their own, unique personality and attributes. However, this year one of our newer residents quickly became a favorite mount. Feliz came to us a year ago along with her stable mate, Flicka. There is much that we do not know about Feliz, but we can piece some important information together. We do know that she is in her early twenties, has Arab bloodlines, and carries a ranch brand on her hip. Her coloring is what horsemen call a flea-bit grey and she is of a petite stature. She also has many melanoma spots on her skin due to sun exposure and she has had times in her life when she suffered from malnutrition. The above information gives you an idea of what her physical appearance is, but what it doesn’t tell you about is her “heart”. I am not talking about her physical heart but rather, her emotional heart and spirit. Throughout the summer this mare consistently worked with our riders without complaint. Not only did she do everything that was asked of her, she frequently would show affection to the children by nuzzling them or hugging them. She was consistently loving and de-

pendable regardless of her rider’s behavior or the situation she was put in. The folks at Resolution thank God for bringing Feliz to us. We definitely feel that she has found her calling. On days when she is supposed to be resting, she often meets us at the gate expecting to “go to work”. How cool is that!? Feliz means “happy” in Spanish, and I think it is safe to say that she is living up to her name.

Thank You, Awesome Volunteers!

Last year’s riding season was brought to you by the Resolution volunteer team. These good people fed and maintained horses, improved facilities, and led riding sessions. Some were highly visible to our guests; many others were not. They contributed hundreds of hours of thoughtful labor that was instrumental to Resolution’s operation. This team is committed to accomplishing great things in the lives of our children and families. They do this with great care and an abundance of humor. If you have a heart for children or animals, or just want to see what Mark and Misha can do with a manure rake, please give us a call. We are beginning to schedule our volunteer training for 2013, and would love to welcome you to the team! 3

~ New Event for 2013 ~

Cowboy Church

After hard days and weeks of ridin’, we reckon we need to be gettin’ right with the Lord--plus enjoying the fellowship of our riders, families, volunteers, neighbors, and friends. Please consider joining us for a late afternoon time of music, worship, and fellowship on the second Sunday of each month this summer (June 9, July 14, and August 11). We’ll begin at 5:00 p.m. with live music, and we’ll worship at 5:30. We’ll finish with an outdoor picnic at 6:00 p.m. Resolution will be providing all the chow except dessert. We ask that each family bring a dessert to share. We love this opportunity to get to know everyone better and grow stronger in the Lord. Simple, direct, and relevant, our Ranch Fellowship fits like your favorite pair of shoes.

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Hot Dog

! n o o S g in m o C s y a Wednesd

Godspeed, Gould Family One of Resolution’s first families has left Utah to return to its roots in North Carolina. David and Jan Gould and daughter Rebekah have been strong supporters of Resolution since we were founded in 2010. David has been a member of Resolution’s board of directors and also a frequent hands-on volunteer. He could be seen shoveling manure and harassing Phantom nearly every Friday afternoon. Rebekah has been a stalwart volunteer and a regular rider. Resolution has also benefitted from Jan’s savvy advice about the children’s program and her assistance with horsekeeping. We will miss their cheerful spirit, their Christian counsel, and even David’s horrible puns. Well, maybe not the puns.

Pony Parties Pony Parties are an important part of our 2013 fundraising actvities. These events give individuals the chance to directly impact our riders’ lives while having fun and learning about horses and children. See the flyer on the opposite page for details. Additional flyers can be downloaded from the Resolution website. Please consider hosting a Pony Party this year. 4

The Resolution Horse Company is known for its work pairing horses with special-needs children to provide healing and restoration. In 2012, we did it over 2,000 times. By 2014, we’re going to double that. This means more riding sessions, equipment, and volunteers. Many people see the transformational results Resolution achieves and want to join us in improving the lives of others. Unfortunately, though, most folks don’t have the time to conduct riding sessions with the children. But there is something else that is absolutely critical for the program to succeed, and that is funding. Without funding, there is no hay and no horses. No saddles. No horseshoes. No training for volunteers. No veterinarians. And that’s where Pony Parties come in. What is a Pony Party? A Pony Party is a social event organized by a volunteer host. Friends, coworkers, and neighbors gather to enjoy each others’ company and learn about Resolution Horse Company. A Resolution representative (generally the president or program director) gives a 15-minute presentation describing Resolution’s work and the dramatic improvements in the children’s lives that result. An accompanying slideshow shows the horses and children in action. At the conclusion of the talk, attendees are invited to make a financial contribution that will get more children onto horses. Attendees are also invited to visit Resolution to see firsthand how their funds are directly helping individual children. Why host a Pony Party? Most people who want to make significant improvements in children’s lives are not able to quit their jobs to do so. Fortunately, Pony Parties enable anyone to directly impact a child’s life. In addition to providing critically needed funding for Resolution, Pony Parties educate the general public about the healing effects of horses with children and show how Resolution does it. The parties also present opportunities for individuals to consider volunteering at Resolution or hosting a party of their own. And somebody at the party may learn of a new option for healing and restoration for their own family. How do I get started? Call Bruce or Terri Cavender at 385-232-6273. Or e-mail [email protected]. Parties can be held anywhere. Ponies are optional. www.resolutionhorsecompany.org

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Just when you think life is getting boring, something really crazy happens. Such a thing happened one Friday afternoon while two of our families and session leader Patty were here. We were just getting ready to start a session when we noticed a big cloud of smoke coming up the canyon from the hillside near Patty’s house. In a matter of minutes, the hillside was engulfed in flames. Our riders rushed to get out of the canyon, and I began preparations for evacuation. Thanks to the immediate action and hard work of Herriman’s firefighters, RHC and Patty’s and our home were spared.

Fire On The Mountain

Many of our riders have brothers and sisters that come every week and just sit and watch what is going on. However, there are a handful of siblings that have taken it upon themselves to “clean the joint up”. Jackson and Diane are two such children. While brothers and sisters ride, their greatest joy and accomplishment is to scoop poop and leave the corrals clean and tidy. Thanks for all the help, guys!!!

The Pooper Scooper Club

RHC has the privilege of having the company of three little nanny goats throughout the day. They belong to our neighbor, Cowboy Dave. The day of our 2,000th session, we had a little celebration with a cake. When we were all done eating, the kids and adults went to see the other horses down by the big barn. When we returned, the goats were standing on the picnic table helping themselves to the remaining cake! What made it even funnier was that their beards were covered in blue frosting!

Goats Have To Eat Too!

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Maturity Level In Question One of our riders noticed that our neighbor, Cowboy Dave, had a teepee up in his yard. When she asked me why, I explained that Dave’s wife is Native American and that he and his friends enjoyed using it for recreation during the summer. She asked if it was like kids having a tree house and I told her that, yes, that was a good comparison. She then said in a very serious voice, “Cowboy Dave must not be very mature for his age.” Often in life, people will have the same experience, but process it quite differently. Such was the case with Sam and his brother Tom. Sam is in the sixth grade and autistic. His brother, Tom, is a couple of years older and comes to ride with Sam to provide support and calm Sam’s anxiety. On his second session Sam rode Bisbee, one of our calmest horses, while Tom led her around the pen. After completing his session and getting in the car to go home, Sam told his mother “That horse was a maniac!”

Maniac Horse

RHC has become somewhat of a neighborhood effort and interest. We would like to recognize two gentlemen who have added color, conversation, humor, and love to our program. Cowboy Dave and Cowboy Jon have homes that look down the hill onto our facility. They have attended nearly every Hot Dog Wednesday and concert. They have also

Local Color

supported the program and families by providing cowboy hats, doing guest appearances at family fund raisers, and interacting with the children. They encouraged us to use their property and trails for riding so we can stay off of the main road. And let us not forget Dave’s goats and chickens, who provide so much entertainment. You two are awesome!!! the beard

RHC has three young men, all under age five, who refuse to ride unless they are clothed in their superhero outfits. We are privileged to have Superman, Spiderman and The Hulk take part in our program. I might add, these superheroes have not missed a session. Way to go! Not to be outdone, our horses occasionally sport their superhero masks during the summer fly season. Just a reminder they are always on duty, ready to protect and serve!

Superheros Are Welcome Too

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2013 Special Events ~ Free as Always! Backyard Concerts: 6 to 8 p.m.--Bring Dinner and Chairs Saturday, June 29 “The Legends” Saturday, August 17 Rod Jost and Friends Cowboy Church and Barbeque: New in 2013! 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, June 9 Sunday, July 14 Sunday, August 11 Hot Dog Wednesdays: 6:30 p.m. Most Wednesdays throughout June, July, and August. See website for dates

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A Note From Terri The saying “if you build it, they will come” truly applied to RHC last year. From May 1 until the end of October, our schedule was packed and we had a waiting list of 20 to 30 families at all times. Each day left me filled with wonder as I witnessed the big and small accomplishments that the riders made. I had the privilege to be there as children said their first word, completed a full sentence, belly laughed, overcame fear, followed a direction, developed muscles never used before, and simply found joy in life. However, I and the other session leaders did not do these sessions alone. With us was an animal who was patiently waiting to see how it could help, often bonding on an emotional level with the rider. Side walkers were also present. These people might be a parent or therapist to help guide or support the rider in accomplishing their goals. But most importantly, God was there. I know this because without Him the miracles that we saw on a daily basis simply would not be possible. I know this because somehow when the bank account was down to its last dollar, a donor would appear and we could then order hay. I know this because of the wonderful people who have called us to offer their volunteer time to do all sorts of chores and projects. Resolution Horse Company is a “God Thing”. As we have passed through the winter months when riding is not possible, we turned our efforts towards the tasks of planning for this coming summer. This includes fundraising, recruiting staff, planning support activities like Hot Dog Wednesdays, answering correspondence, and many other administrative chores that were put on the back burner so we could service our families during the riding season. Most of you are aware that Bruce was laid off last fall. I would ask for your prayers that he find employment in the Salt Lake area so that we are able to keep RHC going strong. Many of you also know that I had problems with 10

a knee and will not be able to participate all day long in leading sessions. To cover that problem we put together an internship program that we have offered to education majors at the university level. I ask that you pray for us to be able to fund that program. As you can see, many of our concerns for the future center around funding. When asked what individuals can do to help, my answer is, “sponsor a Pony Party or an animal for the year.” I truly believe that when the word gets out about what goes on at RHC, people will want to support the program. The key is letting them know what we do. Looking back on 2012 and forward to 2013, I have to say that we have been blessed in so many ways. I am confident that God will open doors for us and with help and prayers we will continue to service the needs of our Resolution families. As spring and summer approach, we encourage you to stay connected with us via our website. I am looking forward to the 2013 riding season so I may see old friends and make many new ones. Until then, stay warm. I will see you in May! Terri

Welcome to the Resolution Horse Company

About our program The mission of the Resolution Horse Company is to use horses to improve the lives of people in need of healing and restoration. We invite both individuals and families to visit us and spend some time with the horses. While most of our guests are children, teenagers and adults are also welcome. In our program, each child is teamed up with a horse and a trained volunteer who serves as the session leader. During the session, the child may interact with the horse from the ground or from horseback, depending on the child’s desires and the session leader’s assessment of the child’s abilities. The objective is to have fun, make new friends, and contribute to the child’s physical and emotional well-being. All sessions are provided free of charge. What we are not Resolution is not a conventional stable or horseriding school. Our riding lessons support Resolution’s mission to provide fellowship, comfort, and support for the horses and the children. The lessons are designed to teach the children to become safe, understanding, and respectful riders. The lessons are not intended to develop superior technical riding skills--we recommend traditional riding lessons for this. Resolution is not a provider of hippotherapy, equine-assisted therapy, or other equine-based disciplines requiring medical licensing. We do assist therapists and other health professionals who use horses in their work, and individuals seeking hippotherapy should contact these individuals directly. How do I schedule my children for a session? Our season opens in May and runs through October, weather permitting. All sessions are reserved in advance, and we will begin taking reservations on April 15. To schedule a session, please call our office at 385-232-6273. Sessions are normally 30 minutes long, depending on the rider’s age and ability. We recommend two or more sessions per month, because a single session will not build familiarity with the horses or riding techniques. Please understand that, because of our small size, demand for sessions is frequently great.

www.resolutionhorsecompany.org

I would like to partner with the Resolution Horse Company to support children and families in need Resolution Horse Company is a 501(c)(3) charity. Your donation may be tax-deductible. Send donations to: Resolution Horse Company, 15467 S. Rose Canyon Rd., Herriman, UT 84096 Donations can also be made at our website, www.resolutionhorsecompany.org, with your credit card or PayPal account. Name______________________________________________________ Address________________________________________________City__________________________State______ZIP_________ Phone________________________E-mail_________________________________

o Please make my donation a gift in honor of:________________________________________ Send gift acknowledgement to: Name___________________________________________ Address________________________________________________City__________________________State______ZIP_________ 11

15467 S. Rose Canyon Road Herriman, UT 84096

f SPRING 2013 newsletter f Welcome back, riders! We will begin taking reservations for 2013 riding sessions on Monday, April 15. Please see our website for details.

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www.resolutionhorsecompany.org

Winter volunteers