Merry Christmas from Still Creek Equestrian! As we begin to look back on 2019, I'd like to share some highlights from our year in horse class.
Everything we do at Still Creek revolves around relationships. Our kids have been hurt in their pasts by prior relationships. The only way to heal those hurts is by pursuing healthy and loving relationships, and ultimately a perfect relationship with Jesus Christ.
Over this semester, we have seen students' relationships with their horses grow! One of our students, S, struggles with shutting down when she feels out of control or angry. When working with a relatively new horse, her frustrations got the best of her. Our gentle giant, Angel, is a 16.2 hh grey Irish Sporthorse who has found her calling in teaching beginner students to ride. S was having a hard time steering Angel, who responded to the excess pulling with slightly tossing her head.
S was ready to quit. She said she didn't like Angel and that she didn't listen. After S began to calm down, a staff member began to tell S about Angel's need to trust her rider. When a horse feels like their rider is nervous, or doesn't like them, they are also nervous. S came to realize that riding was a team effort, and that she needed to help Angel do her best by being calm and treating her like the good girl that she is. In a one hour class, S learned a lesson that she has used to improve her riding with any horse over the last few months. Last week, S told me, "I think my horse is confused, I'm just going to give him a minute." She took a deep breath, waited for the horse to take a deep breath, and then said, "Ok, we're ready now!" This was a HUGE victory for S! From a frustrated, closed-off student, she is now excited every day to help her horse by being a leader and believing in her. What better way to teach positive relationships than looking at how horses reflect ourselves?
Over this semester, we have seen students' relationships with their horses grow! One of our students, S, struggles with shutting down when she feels out of control or angry. When working with a relatively new horse, her frustrations got the best of her. Our gentle giant, Angel, is a 16.2 hh grey Irish Sporthorse who has found her calling in teaching beginner students to ride. S was having a hard time steering Angel, who responded to the excess pulling with slightly tossing her head.
S was ready to quit. She said she didn't like Angel and that she didn't listen. After S began to calm down, a staff member began to tell S about Angel's need to trust her rider. When a horse feels like their rider is nervous, or doesn't like them, they are also nervous. S came to realize that riding was a team effort, and that she needed to help Angel do her best by being calm and treating her like the good girl that she is. In a one hour class, S learned a lesson that she has used to improve her riding with any horse over the last few months. Last week, S told me, "I think my horse is confused, I'm just going to give him a minute." She took a deep breath, waited for the horse to take a deep breath, and then said, "Ok, we're ready now!" This was a HUGE victory for S! From a frustrated, closed-off student, she is now excited every day to help her horse by being a leader and believing in her. What better way to teach positive relationships than looking at how horses reflect ourselves?
While we love the comments and discussions that our elementary kids bring up, like, "If I had a million dollars, I would buy Opie!," there are some major changes happening in the hearts of our middle and high school students.
This semester, we gave our students a taste of competition away from home. Seven of our students and horses hauled down to Bastrop for a small ranch sorting, which was many of the students' first time working cattle from horseback! The trip was an absolute blast. Our guys and girls faced fears of riding in front of strangers. They worked as teammates and were so encouraging to each other while competing. They were kind, respectful, grateful, and competitive! Anyone who has worked with any youth ministry or raised teenagers knows this is a unique occurrence. Some days, we really struggle! As our students work through their hurts, we (educators, house parents, "safe" people) often take the brunt of their frustrations.
Our kids have dealt with some major ups and downs this year. However, we can still see their growth. A fun little trip showed many of our kids the rewards of their hard work feeding, cleaning stalls, hauling hay out of the field, and so much more. Some days, our girls just need the smell of horse hair and a long grooming session. Some days, our boys need to shovel out frustrations and process their feelings in the fresh air.
This semester, we gave our students a taste of competition away from home. Seven of our students and horses hauled down to Bastrop for a small ranch sorting, which was many of the students' first time working cattle from horseback! The trip was an absolute blast. Our guys and girls faced fears of riding in front of strangers. They worked as teammates and were so encouraging to each other while competing. They were kind, respectful, grateful, and competitive! Anyone who has worked with any youth ministry or raised teenagers knows this is a unique occurrence. Some days, we really struggle! As our students work through their hurts, we (educators, house parents, "safe" people) often take the brunt of their frustrations.
Our kids have dealt with some major ups and downs this year. However, we can still see their growth. A fun little trip showed many of our kids the rewards of their hard work feeding, cleaning stalls, hauling hay out of the field, and so much more. Some days, our girls just need the smell of horse hair and a long grooming session. Some days, our boys need to shovel out frustrations and process their feelings in the fresh air.
As your year comes to a close, we ask you to join us in our fight to love our kids. We exist to lead kids to Christs' love, and we believe horses have proven to be a wonderful way to do that. Whether you join us in prayer, financially, or by attending our events, this program is a way to be a part of something that matters! Please be in prayer for our kids as most of them head home for the holidays. For our educators, who do everything in their power to meet our children where they are academically and emotionally. For our houseparents, who fight in the trenches and often see the toughest sides of our kids in their own homes. To find out more about what Still Creek is doing, please explore our needs page and visit our main site stillcreekranch.org. You are a huge part of our childrens' stories!
Isaiah 6:8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"
Isaiah 6:8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"
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