When a horse chooses you

I can hardly believe August is coming to a close, and fall is just around the corner.

Sessions started back at the beginning of the month, and I wish you could have seen the excitement as 120 returning kids reunited with their mentors and 39 new kids discovered that this entire ranch—the horses, fishing pond, crafts, swings and cross—is here for them.

Your generosity makes this place of safety possible.

During their first few sessions, new kids begin building trust with their mentors and meeting the horses they may choose to work with.

Unless, of course, a horse chooses them.

That’s exactly what happened to Chloe*.

Chloe has experienced significant loss following her parents’ divorce. Her father moved out of state and has struggled with substance abuse and incarceration. His absence has left Chloe carrying anger, depression and challenges at school.

During one of her first sessions, Chloe’s mentor brought her into a paddock to meet several horses. That’s when Kody, a beautiful quarter horse, walked right up to her.

Chloe, normally reserved and hesitant, completely lit up. The choice was made!

As she began leading Kody around the arena, her shoulders went back, her head lifted and she carried herself with a confidence her mentor had not seen before. She wasn’t simply leading Kody—she looked like she believed in herself. And Kody calmly followed her lead.

For a child who has felt overlooked and left behind, there was something powerful about being chosen by a horse.

Chloe still has more steps ahead, but now she has a safe mentor and a steady horse beside her as she begins processing her pain and discovering that she is safe, capable and deeply valued.

All because of you.

Thank you for helping kids like Chloe find hope and healing at Hope Reins.