Sue Reaber
I have been volunteering at Walkin N Circles Ranch (WNCR) for a little over two years. During that time I’ve had the opportunity to work with a variety of horses that continue to teach me something new every day. WNCR’s hands on training program teaches volunteers to properly approach a horse, read a horses body language, correctly use equipment, and understand horse psychology. As volunteers the number of things we are exposed to is unimaginable.
No two days at the ranch are ever the same day. Working around and with the horses offers me a combination of yoga, calisthenics, stretching, lifting, all while walking several miles. Add to this the skills of listening, watching and sensing where a particular horse might emotionally be today. A true way to slowdown and focus on the moment. At the ranch they call it “horse time.”
After doing daily ranch chores like mucking out stalls and checking water, essential tasks that give me a true feeling of accomplishment, I spend time working with individual horses. One of my first assignments was a horse named Pip because, well she was a Pip! The first time I met her it took four of us as well as her annoyed pasture mate two hours to catch and halter her. I have been taught that you can’t give up and must keep on trying until a horse is caught. Once we haltered her she was moved to a smaller corral and stall where she would be housed and could be easily run into a round pen. The training staff guided me on how to work with her a few days a week. A typical session with her involved me first just spending time with her in her pasture so she was more accustomed to my presence. Since these are rescue horses the ranch rarely knows their past experiences. Week after week I was able to get closer and she became more relaxed and confident in my presence.
After six weeks of working with her a few days a week she absolutely stunned me when I was able to approach her and place a halter over her head. Time for a selfie! After this accomplishment anyone could go right up to Pip and halter her. This meant a lot of things- she could be walked around the ranch, worked in different round pens and practice being loaded up in a trailer. I even took her to the WNCR horse adoptathon where she was able to show off her skills in front of dozens of people surrounded by other horses. Wow! The first horse I worked with! Within months she was adopted.
At the ranch there are variety of ways to help out while learning new things along the way. When a horse appears to be exhibiting physical discomfort, on occasion, the staff may reach out to a chiropractor. (Horse chiropractors?!?) I made an effort to be at the ranch on the day that the chiropractor was there. I had to see this! I assisted by holding and steadying the horse during his session. Yes it’s pretty much like when I have gone in for an adjustment. The chiropractor gently manipulates different areas on the horse to assess the issue, then goes forward with the adjustments - just like on us, only on a larger scale. The horses are generally calm, and sometimes may move around a bit but learn that each adjustment is not that bad. The trainer noticed that one of the horses I’ve been working with recently, Goose, was exhibiting some sensitivity in his spine. After a few adjustments Goose is now doing great and is able to be saddled and ridden. This shows the lengths WNCR goes to help each and every rescue horse.
My time working with these and other horses reinforced my role as part of the team at the ranch. We all do our part with the end goal of getting horses, healthy, socialized, trained and adopted into loving homes.
When I started volunteering two years ago, I hadn't been around horses in decades. The patient and appreciative staff have trained and mentored me and allowed me to really feel part of a team. Although we are there for the horses, the overall sense of joy I get just being there can’t be overstated. I couldn’t be any happier.
Sue Reaber