The Barn Bulletin
WINGS OF HOPE EQUITHERAPY
Winter 2023
As you enter into the peaceful space that is Wings of
Hope, often one of the first greetings or welcoming
from a horse comes from Coco and Dumplin. Not only
are they frequently one of the first horses that clients
or visitors meet, or interact with, but they are almost
always the first set of eyes, ears, and sometimes even
a knicker of connection when you arrive at the barn.
So often clients may be hesitant to approach a horse
for the first time. For many of our clients, there are
layers to dissect when it comes to sensory processing.
A horse smells different, the fur can be silky smooth or
scratchy stiff, some horses are playful and some are
more tranquil and the lack of consistency can be
confusing for someone who processes through a
tactile memory. In addition to learning a horse
through a tactile lens, or maybe during a chapter of
life where you are feeling less than your best self, if
you have never been around horses before there can
be some uncertainty of how to interact with such a
large, powerful animal.
But there is something to be said about Coco and
Dumplin’s petite gentle demeanor that draws you in.
We often see trembling or maybe even over excited
eager hands as they reach out for an introduction to
touch the mane or tiny fuzzy ears. Often by surprise,
these special ponies nuzzle back the hand, as if
validating any apprehension and offering reassurance
with a you are welcome here.
One of the most common questions we receive about
these extraordinary equine partners is how are they
used and what are their strengths. Coco has been an
equine service partner in the mission since 2014.
Dumplin most recently joined the herd this year.
erry Christma
M s
“The animals, in their silent
reverence, bore witness to
the birth of our Savior,
reminding us that all of
God's creation shares in the
joy of Christmas.”
In addition to serving as the facility welcome and departing committee as we all
come and go from this space, both of these mares partner with clients either
together or individually for clients learning horsemanship through ground
based activities.
Working with horses on the ground can be a powerful way to learn confidence
and improve communication skills. Horses are highly perceptive animals that
are incredibly sensitive to body language. When you approach a horse with
confidence, it can sense your calm and assertive energy. Understanding how
your body language affects the horse's response helps you become more aware
of your own non-verbal communication. Trust is fundamental in any interaction
with a horse. Horses are naturally wary animals, and they need to trust you to
feel safe. Gaining a horse's trust requires patience, consistency, and
confidence. This experience can teach you the value of trust in relationships
and how it is built over time through mutual respect and understanding.
Successfully working with such a powerful animal like a horse boosts self-
confidence. Overcoming challenges, gaining a horse's trust, and achieving goals
in your interactions can significantly enhance your self-esteem and belief in
your abilities. Overall, working with horses like Coco and Dumplin on the
ground provides valuable horsemanship lessons in communication, confidence,
empathy, and emotional awareness. These skills are transferable to daily life
and can positively impact various aspects of your life whether you are at Wings
of Hope or outside of the barn.
Coco and Dumplin are such a
wonderful segway to open the
door to the magic that
happens through the
partnership of gentle horses
and the love of God.
 A note from the Director’s desk......
How can we pray for you?
Hey y'all, Merry Christmas! Christmas is a time
of reflection, a time to ponder the miracle of
Jesus and the beauty of innocence. Just like the
animals at the nativity, there is a profound
simplicity in their presence, reminding us that in
the midst of chaos, there is always room for gentleness and peace.

We are so blessed by the gift of horses and their presence in our lives.
As we celebrate this festive season, let us embrace the spirit of
compassion, mirroring the harmony found among the animals, and
remember the true meaning of Christmas lies in love, kindness, and
the joy of giving hope to others through gentle horses and the love of
God.

In anticipation of 2024, we reflect on 2023, bringing the Discovery

Studio to fruition, expanding programs to offer blended mounted and
ground based lessons, and welcoming new faces to the staff of horses
and humans. Come see us in 2024 we would love to see you around We have a prayer team to pray for you
the barn! and we would love to pray specifically for you
Blessings- Allison, Executive Director and your praises or needs.

Chisholm Challenge....
To kick off 2024 we are excited to enter the
show ring at Chisholm Challenge at the Fort Chisholm Challenge 2024
Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. Chisholm is
always such a great kick-off to the new year and at The Fort Worth Stock Show
an amazing avenue for equestrians from all over
North Texas to showcase their skills and JANUARY 9-10 2024
partnership with their horse.
JOHN JUSTIN ARENA & WILL ROGERS MEMORIAL COLISUEM

FREE PARKING & FREE EVENT ADMITTANCE

North Texas Area Therapeutic Riding Centers will
participate in the show by invitation only, which
is graciously donated by the FWSSR each year.
Join us to cheer on
Equestrians will compete in events such as
English Equitation, Western Equitation, RANCH
SHOW SCHEDULE
Riding, Showmanship, Barrels, Pole Bending,

Tuesday
Drill Team, Driving, and Trail. 8:30 AM Opening Ceremonies
Trail at will in Will Rogers
1/9/24 Veterans classes John Justin Arena
English & Western classes Equitation John Justin Arena
The skills and pride demonstrated at this event Drill team- lunch break mid day TBD

truly showcases the partnership of horses and 6:00 PM Estimated end time

Wednesday
humans. We encourage you to be a part of 8:30 AM Driving

supporting this partnership and advocating for 1/10/24 Trail at will in Will Rogers

inclusion of those with disabilities in our Showmanship John Justin Arena

Ranch Riding John Justin Arena

community. Barrels & Poles John Justin Arena

4:00 PM Estimated end time

 Ages 5+
Multiple weeks to
choose from
$325/pp
The last day for
registration is May 15.
All abilities are
welcome, no
diagnosis required!

Registration opens March 1st

Volunteer’s Needed
Serve with us in 2024!
volunteer@
wingsofhope
horses.org

No horse experience is needed.

Age 14+
1-2 hours per week
 Bodie Charlie
Brown

Asti

Coco Cowboy

Chocolate

Dumplin

Gus
 J.J. Judy
Hank

Nugget

Lark

Marshall

Sherlock Sunny

Skye
 Program Spotlight....
Ground based horsemanship is offered for individuals seeking a
combination of physical, social, or emotional benefits from the
horse. Through ground-based experiences, individuals address
areas associated with time management, multi-tasking,
atmosphere, social cues, conflict resolution, and more. The
benefits of learning this type of horsemanship demonstrate accomplishments that increase self-awareness through the
human-horse partnership. Through partnering with the horse on the ground, clients are able to engage in a unique way
with a single horse or interact in the setting of the herd with multiple horses. Clients learn how to better understand the
dynamics of the herd through activities that take a deeper dive into the hierarchy, communication, and interaction
horses have with each other. These activities often consist of grooming, lunging, at liberty work, or any of the activities
also utilized in the mounted therapeutic horsemanship program. While this method of horsemanship has been an
integral learning style integrated into programming in general for many years, Wings of Hope saw a consistent need
from clients seeking an opportunity to engage with horses from the ground in a more dynamic way.

We found clients were seeking ways to manage stress or anxiety, learn skills to demonstrate and receive empathy, and
increase confidence in a structured way in addition to or instead of through riding. There is value in gaining these skills
without ever being in the saddle. Horses are incredibly perceptive and their ability to pick up on subtle cues from human
body language allows them to sense your emotions and respond to the atmosphere and emotions that surround them.
It is powerful to engage with the herd and have a horse choose to enter your presence and connect.

For many of our clients being in the saddle may initially be intimidating or restrictive to a particular diagnosis or
learning style. The focus of the goals and objectives the client is working to achieve can often be better addressed from
the ground rather than through learning reining or a balanced centered seat. In 2023, programming launched to offer
blended horsemanship lessons where clients have the opportunity to partner with their horse from the saddle and from
the ground rather than a lesson only offering a one method approach of ground or mounted horsemanship. Through
blended programming, clients are able to receive a variety of multifaceted wisdom from their horse.

Ground based programming is offered in a private or group setting and blended programming is offered in a group
setting. You too can experience the partnership of a horse in this setting through Wings of Hope’s ground based
therapeutic horsemanship program for those with a diagnosed disability or challenge or through the Equine Discovery
program. Equine Discovery offers the opportunity to experience the partnership of a horse for all abilities, with no
diagnosis required for any group interested in partnering with a horse for discovery, play, or adventure.

Connect with us
Interested in receiving services? Or learning more about programs? Connect w/ Programs@wingsofhopehorses.org

Interested in volunteering and giving your time? Connect w/ Volunteer@wingsofhopehorses.org

Interested in a talk & tour? Or requesting a speaker? Connect w/ Theresa@wingsofhopehorses.org

 Making the season merry and bright for the herd.

Make more of the season.

Support an
Equine Service Partner
this Christmas
and make their season
bright.

to donate visit :
cash gifts or supply donations
welcomed

Hope and healing through gentle horses and the love of God since 1996
 Wings of Hope Equitherapy
4200 COUNTY ROAD 806
CLEBURNE, TEXAS 76031
OFFICE@WINGSOFHOPEHORSES.ORG
817-783-3805

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

erry Christmas
M from