December 26, 2018
“Every horse deserves to be loved by a little girl at least once in its life.” ~ unknown
Have you ever looked into the eyes of an animal and seen its soul?
Thanks to your continued caring and support, Brianna, a 15-year resident of Mountain Shadows with cerebral palsy, and an old, donated horse, have forged a deep soul connection that has given them both new life and purpose, through our therapeutic riding program.
As some of you may know, I’ve always had a strong connection with animals. I’ve trained and bred American Bulldogs and now I ride horses. In each case, what began as a hobby became a life’s passion – full of new challenges, and a few bumps and bruises along the way.
I once heard it said that God speaks more clearly through dogs and horses than through men. As I look back on my own experiences, I have found this to be true. For through them, I have learned about some of the most important things in my life – compassion, the bonds of friendship, loyalty – and yes, I’ll Cowboy Up and say it – even unconditional love.
Brianna, featured in the story below, has been a part of the Reins therapeutic riding program for two years. She is active in several of our Mountain Shadows programs, but when Brianna met Horse (aka Harrison) her life was forever changed.
Beyond the physical improvements in her strength and mobility, there is something more. Something deeper. There is a light now in Brianna’s eyes that I never saw before. That spark of light comes into Brianna’s eyes every time she sees Horse.
And something changed in Horse too. An old, donated Norwegian Fjord, Horse has left the warrior roots of his Viking heritage behind. When Brianna rides him, despite his great size and strength, he is gentle – at peace now and with a renewed sense of purpose in his stride.
Perhaps it is God speaking between them. Heart to heart. Soul to soul. Because in their eyes, I see that he has become Brianna’s protector and she is the little girl who loves him.
They both deserve that.
In her dreams, she rides wild horses and they carry her away on the wind. ~Kenny Rogers
To all of you this holiday season, and throughout the coming New Year, I wish you a love as strong as that between a little girl and her horse.
Happy Trails & Happy Holidays!
Wade Wilde
Executive Director
Mountain Shadows Support Group
A Good Horse
By Sheryl Wilde
Brianna, she always sneaks me carrots. So I really like her a lot.
I came from a really cold place and I didn’t like it very much.
People say I was donated. I like “donated” even better than carrots, because it brought me to this place called Reins. It’s almost always sunny and warm here and I have a lot of room to trot and play and just run free. And there are people here who take good care of me. They feed me and groom me. I have a good life.
I’m getting older now, but I’m still strong. I still like to work.
They call me a therapy horse now. And a lot of people come to Reins and ride me. I like them all, but Brianna, she’s extra special.
I heard that Brianna has cerebral palsy. I think that must mean she’s really special, because the others are always watching over her. And they wheel her out to me in a really special chair.
The first time they lifted Brianna onto my back, she was shaking. I could tell she was scared. And her legs were so weak she couldn’t hold herself upright in my saddle. So the others came along too while we rode, but they didn’t get to ride me. They held Brianna up as they walked alongside me, one on each side.
One time, Brianna leaned way back in my saddle and I thought she might fall, but the others helped to steady her.
They protect Brianna. And I protect her too. I walk slow and steady, and stay nice and quiet, just like they showed me how to do it. And after we finish riding, they all say I’m a good horse, and Brianna gives me carrots.
Everybody but Brianna calls me Harrison.
For a long time, Brianna didn’t talk much when we rode. But then one day when they wheeled her out to me, Brianna pointed right at me and she screamed, “Horse! Horse!”
When Brianna squealed “Horse!” everybody else squealed too and they all got really excited. Everybody was smiling and clapping. One had water coming out of her eyes. But she was smiling too.
Brianna and I still ride together a lot. And every time she sees me, she points and screams, “Horse!” I really like it when she calls me Horse.
Brianna’s legs are stronger now. And she sits up straight and holds onto my saddle all by herself.
And now she says another word – carrots! And she sneaks them to me every time after we ride.
I can tell Brianna is so happy when she rides me. She laughs and smiles and giggles all the time.
But then Brianna goes away. And sometimes she has water in her eyes when she leaves me.
Sometimes I stand at the gate for a long time, waiting for her to come back. I can’t protect her when she goes away.
But they say she goes away to a place called Mountain Shadows – and that there are good people who take care of her there.
Maybe if I’m a good horse I’ll get to go see her there someday.
And maybe she’ll bring me some carrots.
Brianna, she always sneaks me carrots. And I really like her a lot.
