If you do, contact us to schedule an introductory session with Sidewinder, Chief Medicine Horse at Wild Horse Haven. Connect with the horses and leave stress behind. Learn how to draw upon the Power of the Horse to relieve stress even when you are not here. There is never a fee for these services due to a generous grant from the United Way.
Our volunteers serve a vital purpose here at Wild Horse Haven, from boys who help build fences and set up for events to teenage girls who groom horses and assist with horses during sessions. Some of our volunteers, boys and girls are even helping to facilitate Horse Heart Breathing. If you would like to volunteer send us a message through the website.
Our resident Medicine Horse, Odin-Sidewinder assists a participant up out of her wheel chair as she wraps her arms around his neck. Read more about this amazing horse in "The Horses" section and in the blog.
The first thing one will experience a the ranch is a hug from Sidewinder. As you hug Sidewinder think of the connection that you can make with this amazing horse.
Walking with Sidewinder along the trail, one must learn to be aware of surroundings and to the horse. It takes 2 to navigate some of the obstacles that may be in your path. Communication between you and the horse is essential.
Participants enjoy painting their handprints or other designs on the side of a horse with non-toxic tempura paints and the horse loves the attention!
Horse hugs are one of the first things participants experience at Wild Horse Haven. They wrap one arm around the horses neck from underneath, place these head against the horses neck and the other hand over his heart. This is held for a minute while the participant feels a connecting bond with the horse, often there is crying involved.
Donkeys need love to, Kids love hugging on the donkeys
Connecting with a horse.
Connecting with a horse.
Another popular activity at the ranch is connecting with the donkeys. Donkeys and kids love the attention, just don't try to hand feed the donkeys, fingers look like tasty carrots!
Donkeys have an exceptional memory and are very adept at problem solving. A 2013 study showed that donkeys can learn and problem solve at the same rate as dolphins and dogs. Donkeys develop strong emotional bonds with their friends, they will remember and recognize animals or humans for years.
Donkeys have been much abused by humans. We must make efforts to protect and support them. They are wonderful loving creatures.
We give a home to the abused, neglected, injured, and disabled. Those that no one else wants. We let them live, they make friends and have a quality of life for as long as they live.
Wild Horse Camp is an educational series of classes for kids teaching a, respect for animals and nature, and interactions with the animals, with an emphasis on Equine Science. Contact us for more information.
Saturday, May 28th from 9 to 11 we will be holding Wild Horse Camp Level II and Junior Wild Horse Camp. We will continue learning about equine ethology with classes on equine nutrition and water needs along with what wild horses eat in the wild. We will go out and identify plants that horses eat. Class on "How to Draw a Horse" and horse corn hole game.
Read the amazing true story of Aegis in the wild protecting his downed brother on our "The Horses" section.