This is a newsletter I sent out to clients, friends and followers. Your feedback matters greatly to me because you all have not only helped my personally but have helped give me insight as well into the needs of horse people. This is not about money and it's not about fame. It's about helping as many folks as we can and as many horses as well especially during these hard times. Please let me know what you think:
I am interested in trying to start a program with Miss Candy (Mustang Challenge mare) called EVERYBODY'S HORSE. So often children share with me their love of horses and though their parents are supportive of their passion, both are disappointed due to the hobby being something outside of the family budget. As a single parent who has had to watch my son miss out on many activities due to finances I can appreciate the heartache parents feel in not being able to help their child strive after a very healthy dream. I also recognize that had it not been for the generosity of some very amazing horse people, I wouldn't be a trainer today. Of course, back when I was apprenticing the term "horse whispering" hadn't been coined because horse activities weren't as popular of a recreation, now barbed terms such as "Liability Risks" tie folks' hands from being so neighborly.
So, here is my idea. First off, let's address that barbed term "Liability Risks". I for one am sick to death of seeing opportunities for kids vanish because of ever growing red tape. We are red taped to the point of not only being barely effective but even insanely useless at times. Somebody has to Just Do It (to steal a Nike slogan). So, how do we do it without getting tangled up in the barbs? By thinking outside of the barbed wire.
My goal is to make it possible for EVERY person (adult or child) who has a passion for horses to have the opportunity to learn. Some of the most caring horse owners live on a shoestring budget. The kid that is horse-crazy today is tomorrow's future horseman. And perhaps, the kid who is struggling to find his or her way in life may benefit from having an unspoken friendship with an equine. Sometimes that bond is lifelong... mine is.
Horse people are generous by nature, as are horses. Horse-crazy folks have an insatiable appetite for anything horsey--- they love the smell of horses, the grime they leave on your hands, scooping poop, the whole shabam. Try to get that kid to empty the trash can and you're probably going to get a bunch of grumbling. For some reason it's not a chore when we are serving a mighty hooved beast. Go figure!?
My goal with EVERYBODY'S HORSE is to have Candy be EVERYBODY'S HORSE. What we would do is continue sending out Candy Grams (my Mustang newsletters) to those interested in participating. Candy Grams will not only tell of Candy's training progress but it will also include a list of Candy's monthly needs/expenses and any scheduled appointments. EVERYBODY is welcome to be a part of this experience in exchange for a donation of ANY amount to help cover Candy's care. All of Candy's "Owners" are welcome to visit her during any of her scheduled appointments which may include vet calls, farrier/horseshoeing visits, and a day with the trainer (me). This allows folks who otherwise might not have an "in" to the Horse World, an excellent opportunity to pry the minds of horse professionals so that when the day comes that they are ready to single-handedly take on the responsibility of becoming a horse owner, they will be well prepared. The more interest we have in a program like EVERYBODY'S HORSE, the easier it will be to convince more horse professionals to donate their time to help educate.
In the past, I helped form a non-profit organization to help rescue horses. It was my experience that being recognized officially as a non-profit in fact complicated matters because now there was double-sided sticky red tape to get tangled in and hoops too small to jump through. It was difficult trying to raise enough money for such a small program and then having to be careful to not show a profit. The conclusion I drew from that whole experience was, it would be easier to be more effective running a giving program as a business. Maybe I am wrong... but that was my conclusion.
If you believe that this is a worthwhile cause, please contact me. It will obviously take many hands to make this light work. If enough interest is shown, I will look into setting up a bank account specifically for EVERYBODY'S HORSE. I much appreciate any feedback or assistance you have to offer.
(I will be looking into publishing the Candy Grams since so many think that her story would make a good book. We are also currently putting together Candy's video.)
In volunteering with NARHA one thing that was always on the forefront was the "red tape". This rule and that one. I know it is for the safety of all and the accreditation of the barn, but sometimes it just seems like too many rules to keep up with.
I'm not sure how much the paying students paid for a lesson, but I know that they also had scholarships and financial help for any that couldn't afford the lessons. No one was turned away. There was also an after school program for able bodied students. They did barn work in exchange for lessons. Plus it got them community hours in a non-profit setting.
The horses there have sponsers. It costs $1,000 a year to sponser a horse at Riverwood. The sponser is given a spot in the newsletter and a little sign on the horse's stall. They can have more than one sponser to split up the cost.
I know too how much just hanging out at the barn is a therapy for me. I didn't have horses till I was an adult, but loved them since I was a small child. Riding lessons were something we just couldn't afford. When I got to be an adult. I got a job, had the acres then decided to get a horse. All I knew about them was they ate at one end, pooped on the other, and you rode in the middle. If not for a very dear friend who taught me how to ride, gave me the encouragement and helped me to find the right horse. The first one was a bad mistake. (Beware the Horsetrader!!!) I think I would still be admiring them from afar.
Is there some way you can do this without the "red tape", liability, and responsibility? If they aren't riding a horse, how much liability is that?
I think what you are wanting to do is inspirational. Wonderful and so caring. I am still the same horse crazy kid at heart that I was at 12. I know that others are too. They want into the horse world, but don't know how to get there. You are giving them the keys to the kingdom.
I hope you are able to give everyone a piece of Candy. I want one too!! I'd love to keep up with her!
I think it's great! Having a horse as a kid was out of the question for our family. Even so, my poor mom tried her best to find a place where I could take lessons no matter where we lived (military family.) When I was in 4th grade, we moved to another area of the country with no friends and didn't fit in at school. I just pined for horses. My mom recognized that I was becoming depressed and found a stable where I could ride about once a month.
There is a stable close to me now with a program called "Cowgirls Unlimited." There are sure a lot of little girls out there scooping, grooming, and cleaning. They get discounted lessons for the work. I would have thought I'd died and gone to heaven if I had found a place like that when I was a kid.
Poeta, I think whatever you can do to help release the horse passion in kids is great. Horsey kids are not the kids who get into trouble. They learn responsibility and the value of hard work. (As long as the show moms stay out of the way.) Some kids just have "horse" in their genes, and I'm sure there a lot of parents who would love a place where their kids could get a horse-fix without the expense of owning one/ ----------
Dixie Mom
"The art of riding: Keeping a horse between you and the ground!"
I just rewrote my note as it seemed too negative. Poeta, it's wonderful you want to do this. If in your gut you feel good about it, go for it. Do it before anything happens to dampen your idealism.
It sounds like an amazing idea. One of the first barns I rode at was owned by this amazing woman - the barn was not in the "best" part of town but she used her location and her talents to help the kids in that town who otherwise could have easily chosen a bad path - everyone had to work to be a part of the barn , we all cleaned stalls, took a night or a morning to feed and generally took care of all of the animals. I saw so many kids come through there that otherwise would have been hanging on the streets and instead they were fully immersed in horses and it was amazing - fast forward 15 years and I know a horse owner who ran a lesson program and got sued for " a lot" of money because the trusty school horse tripped and junior fell off and broke an arm and even though the disclosure is signed it doesn't matter - maybe that same horse spooked once 5 years ago and it becomes that the horse is dangerous and the kid should never have been allowed on it. There is an inherent danger in riding horses ( that all of us know too well) I just think that you have to be really careful , make sure you personally are not liable if anyone gets hurt and a parent gets angry enough to call a lawyer - I think if you set it up as some kind of a corporation you cannot be held personally responsible. I don't want to sound negative at all but the reason for the red tape is that there are too many litigious people out there and they see someone with a horse and they think they must have money. Good luck I am sure you as a trainer are well versed in how to protect yourself and your property.
Poeta, I think it's a wonderful idea! Like DixieMom, my family was in no position to get me a horse. We lived in the big cities. My biggest thrill was our country drives and I can STILL feel and remember the emotions I had whenever I saw a horse out in pasture (pure bliss). My poor parents could never figure out why they had such a "horse crazy" daughter. My contacts with horses as a child were few and far between but I to this day remember every pony ride and every horse even if I just sat on them. If I had something like what you are proposing Poeta....well...it would have been a dream come true.
A beautiful idea Poeta! A lot of people don't have the finances to own a horse but they still find ways to be around them. When I am around I allow any children - with their parent's ok - to give Chance apples/carrots/treats or just pat him. The other side of this is Chance was abused by a young kid (we found this out by his actions with my daughter when she was wearing a baseball cap - back when I first got him) So I encourage children to be around him (when I'm there), and continue to reinforce with Chance that children are ok, and think its great to have some one setting every thing up the way you are.
I am also a single parent (actually divorced) and can understand that finances are not easy. I have forfitted a lot of things to provide for my daughter and the finances to keep Chance. (Granted- yes I do have a significant other but he doesn't pay my bills - nor do I ask him to.) But any horse man or woman that helps to bring joy to a child that can not afford a horse is a "hero" to that child.
I like the idea about sponsors... perhaps I can find folks to sponsor the kids for a minimal fee which actually covers Candy's expenses so that we are able to continue to do things affordably.
In the past I have looked into forming an LLC to provide a safety net. For the time being, liabilty risks will be kept down by the program being a ground level/observational/ question and answer learning environment.
CA unfortunately refuses to pass the Equine Liability Act (I've been told because far too many lawyers reside here). I have taken many Equine business classes and the thing about a Waiver is it virtually means nothing. Waivers must be signed by BOTH parents when it comes to children but really, it doesn't stop someone from taking you to court. And of course, the court expenses is what kills you even if you win (unless you live in a state with The Equine Liability Act which would make the Plaintiff pay your costs if you are found innocent).
The way I see it--- I already don't have much so there's not much to take plus I have established a history of being extremely thorough and safety conscious. I carry trainer's liabilty insurance, the facility carries insurance as well. But you know what's sad?! I met two trainers who were sued by friends they were trying to help BECAUSE their friends knew they had insurance! "Well, it's not coming out of your pocket--- your insurance is paying for it." Crazy, huh?!
Those stupid people are the reason why so many kids aren't given the opportunity to interact with horses.
There have been so many times when I have been out riding, you would think I was a one horse parade. Kids run to the window of their house and peer out or come out asking if it's alright if they can pet my horse. Just by being on a horse I am a "hero" or role model. Just by simply touching a horse a kid smiles... how simple is that? Life has become too complicated...
