I must confess (like all the Mwangaza children who visited the horse farm), I always thought horse riding consisted of "jump on, kick and go". Friends, was I wrong.
Many thanks to Dena and Scott Little, the owners of Storybook Horse Farm in Alabama. They gave each one of us a chance to have a horse riding experience.
We started by riding dummy horses. We also named our dummy horses. I called mine “K” after a good friend of mine.
The children learnt about miniature horses, sheep, goats and cows. They learnt how to brush a horse. They also made toy horses and some horse shoes before the actual horse riding begun.
While we were at the farm, we learnt that horses may not be the very intelligent of animals but they sure have very big hearts. Actually, I was told that with the proper care and teaching, they can become one of your best friends. (This makes sense especially if you consider the fact that horses are a huge part of America's heritage.)
Well, I agree I am not a Texas cowboy. But hey, who doubts that right now I am the only adult male Ugandan horse-rider on the Mwangaza Choir tour 2011?
Well as an equestrian enthusiast for most of my life this was an unbelievable blessing for me. Being able to get back on a horse after not having ridden in a few years was an indescribable joy but even more was the joy I experienced from seeing the children’s eyes light up as they hopped on top of Friar Tuck, Baloo, Captain Hook, Humpty Dumpty… and all the other horses in the barn. Even the adults enjoyed a quick ride around the arena.
Storybook Farm is dedicated to therapeutic horseback riding primarily for youth who have experienced difficult life situations and those who have mental and physical disability. It was amazing to see the light of Jesus shining through the Little family as we saw how they dedicate their lives to healing and helping others! It was an unbelievable experience that we will certainly never forget!
-Kathryn Wilson
No comments:
Post a Comment