RIDING FREEDOM'S TRAIL
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January/February 2017
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AMERICA THE BRAVEThe Wild Heart Mustangs™ logo features a strong symbol of something we feel passionate about - the American flag. The freedom that Americans enjoy has never been free. It's been defended and preserved by countless military men and women who've given their time, energy, strength, heart - and sometimes their lives - in the name of freedom.
This page is dedicated to those in the military now, and in the past, and to the families who watched, waited and prayed for the safety of their loved ones. Let us never forget those who have served this great country. Thank you ALL for your service! |
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On this page, you'll find articles about honor, health and healing for the heroes among us, with a section of resources that we hope will help and inspire you. If you have questions that aren't answered here, please let us know and we'll do our best to assist you.
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JOYFUL HORSE PROJECT - RESTORATION RANCH
Bastrop, Texas
The Joyful Horse Project – Restoration Ranch
57 Treehaven Ct. The Hills, TX 78738 Email: admin@joyfulhorseproject.org |
Welcome to Restoration Ranch — where veterans care for the horses, the land and each other.
Veteran families who join our team at Restoration Ranch have the opportunity to learn from the horses, build connections within the local community, contribute to service-oriented projects, and generally enjoy a safe-haven for personal growth and fulfillment. Our equine learning programs are offered in a variety of formats, including individual sessions targeted toward personal goals, group team building clinics, one-day respite workshops and weekend retreats designed to connect participants with the natural ranch environment. |
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Restoration Ranch is a 27-acre horse ranch located in Bastrop, Texas that is run by veterans for the benefit of other veteran families and the Joyful Horse Project’s rehab horses. It’s a place where veterans, horses and the land each contribute to the health and well being of the others. The ranch provides access to a rural way of life that embraces holistic health, sustainable agriculture and community building programs aimed at restoring the physical vitality, emotional and spiritual health of all involved.
Restoration Ranch operates under the stewardship of The Joyful Horse Project, a federally qualified 501c(3) tax-exempt organization. All donations are tax-deductible in accordance with IRS regulations. |
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The introductory program provides veterans and their families the opportunity to learn holistic horsemanship skills that build an environment of teamwork and trust between horse and human. Over the course of the program, participants actively listen and observe what the horse is telling them about their approach and interactions. This process of asking, observing and adjusting their approach, helps them develop a feel for the horse and learn how to improve the quality of their work together. The outcomes have a profound impact as joyful working partnerships form between the veterans and horses based on clear communication and mutual trust.
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If you are a veteran interested in participating in the program, please complete the Inquiry Form and one of our coordinators will get in touch with you.
We also welcome other veteran service organizations to schedule workshops and retreats at Restoration Ranch. You can contact us via email at: vets@joyfulhorseproject.org. |
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FEATURED THERAPY HORSE OF THE MONTH
Batman - a mysterious mustang with the courage to change lives
by Tricia Carzoli
by Tricia Carzoli
Batman is the featured therapy horse for January/February 2017. He is from the BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding Center
Photo credit: Tricia Carzoli |
“Batman [a name chosen by the two children of Batman’s generous sponsor Jeff Tobar] is the perfect name for this mustang. He is courageous and mysterious. He has this pure black shiny coat; he has a sparkle in his eyes. He wants only to do good things and to be treated right. He has no special powers but he comes with exactly what he needs,” U.S. Air Force veteran and Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International Registered Level Instructor Ron Hathaway said of the four-year-old gelding who now calls BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding and Educational Center in Harvard, Ill. home.
“We got Batman in 2015 in Rock Springs, Wyoming. [PATH Registered Level Instructor and U.S. Marine Corps veteran Cpl.] Nicholas Montijo, [U.S. veteran] Rhett Bain, [PATH Registered Level Instructor and Director of Operations at BraveHearts] Paddy McKevitt and myself selected him as one of the five mustangs we chose from the Checkerboard Roundup,” explained BraveHearts President Chief Operating Officer and PATH Master Level Instructor, Meggan Hill-McQueeney. |
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“I was fascinated with this horse at the end of the pen that was full of younger geldings. I noticed his unusual markings – he had white socks, but instead of the usual ankle to hoof being white, he had a black ring before the sock carried down hoof,” Hill-McQueeney said. “He had such a versatile conformation – he could be used for Western or English.” Hill-McQueeney also noticed that he was long-legged and substantial in size for a two-year-old mustang. For the work that the horses do at BraveHearts – working frequently with veterans and adults – she thought the stunning black young gelding Batman would fit in well. In February of 2015, the young horse with markings that fascinated Hill-McQueeney set his hooves on BraveHearts soil. |
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Soon after, veterans were able to begin the process of gentling him. One of those veterans was Hathaway. “Mustangs and veterans with post traumatic stress disorder understand one another. We are both untrusting and fearful and full of anxiety. [Batman and I] were both overwhelmed with little things – doors opening, people, new things. But we gain trust as we grow with each other. [In each other], there is something to lean on as we grow,” Hathaway said. “Every week, I get to recharge. Batman teaches me to be patient – to appreciate even the little things. … For me, as a veteran with PTSD, I am blessed to be here – to work with Batman. … The lessons I learn with Batman – to appreciate every small thing from a touch to putting on a blanket to putting on a saddle – the lessons transfer into my everyday life. I am more patient with my family, with my kids, with my wife, my grandchild. I see the beauty in every moment with them … and it is because of Batman,” Hathaway continued. Hathaway has been a part of Operation Mustang®, for almost two years at BraveHearts, a program offered at no charge for veterans to gain horsemanship skills by training and working with wild mustangs. |
But horses like Batman also serve adults with various diagnoses. Joan Keller also has worked extensively with Batman. Keller came to BraveHearts two years ago after suffering a stroke eleven years ago.
“When Batman first came to BraveHearts I sang to him every time I came to the barn and walked passed the mustangs,” Keller said. “Eventually he would stick his head out of the stall when I started to sing. He recognized me.”
Keller said that Batman has helped her gain strength in her leg and arm that was weakened by her stroke. “He challenges me, and I just love him so much,” Keller said. “Batman keeps me in the present; I am peaceful when I am with the mustangs…. When I am with Batman, I forget about … [the limitations caused by] my stroke. He loves me for me [as I am], and I love him.”
“When Batman first came to BraveHearts I sang to him every time I came to the barn and walked passed the mustangs,” Keller said. “Eventually he would stick his head out of the stall when I started to sing. He recognized me.”
Keller said that Batman has helped her gain strength in her leg and arm that was weakened by her stroke. “He challenges me, and I just love him so much,” Keller said. “Batman keeps me in the present; I am peaceful when I am with the mustangs…. When I am with Batman, I forget about … [the limitations caused by] my stroke. He loves me for me [as I am], and I love him.”
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The young gelding from Rock Springs has found his forever home at BraveHearts, but Batman stands to be a staple in the program as he grows and develops, changing the lives of veterans as he does. BraveHearts relies on sponsors like Jeff Tobar and donors to help aid in the cost of training and feeding and in providing health care, dental care, farrier care and veterinary care for the horses. They are a 501c3 nonprofit providing equine-assisted services for individuals in need. BraveHearts provides services using therapy horses at no cost to every veteran. For more information visit www.braveheartsriding.org |
Batman - giving others courage and changing one life at a time
Photo credit: Tricia Carzoli |
General Information for BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding Center Phone: 815.943.8226 7319 Maxon Road Harvard, IL 60033 For volunteer opportunities email: volunteerinfo@braveheartsriding.org |
DEDICATIONS ARE WELCOME HERE
at any time
RESOURCES for VETERANS
Joyful Horse Project at Restoration Ranch - Bastrop, TX - Welcome to Restoration Ranch — where veterans care for the horses, the land and each other. Veteran families who join our team at Restoration Ranch have the opportunity to learn from the horses, build connections within the local community, contribute to service-oriented projects, and generally enjoy a safe-haven for personal growth and fulfillment.
