*this story was written by a teen mentor in Reins of Rhythm*
“Reins of Rhythm is my home, my family, my story of change—my ‘Why I am what I am today.’ Ever since I was 7 years old I have had a love for horses. So when I was almost 8 years old my pap surprised me for Christmas with riding lessons at Reins of Rhythm. Little did I know I was going to make tons of friends and find my best friends.
Reins of Rhythm (ROR) has helped me with the worst downs of my life and helped me make all the ups of my life. When I was only 6 years old I lost my great-grandma who I lived with since I was a baby. I might have only been 6 but that was the hardest thing I have ever dealt with. She was my mother figure for the longest time.
My mom was very sick and wasn’t that much in the picture, and didn’t have the resources to take care of me. I barely knew my father and still don’t. So when I got to ride at Reins of Rhythm they made me feel like I had a family. They helped me and made me stronger. I felt like I could escape from reality.
[Read more: Freedom from Trauma]
[Read more: “Unbridled” Movie Showcases Power of Equine Therapy]
The horses helped me so much with learning boundaries and discipline. It’s very hard to believe but they changed my life so much. I was headed on a path that would take me nowhere and the horses and volunteers at the program quickly changed that. I would not be where I am today without Reins of Rhythm.
Ever since I joined Reins of Rhythm seven years ago, I have made the best friends a girl could ask for. I am so thankful that I got to come to this amazing place that helped me find my true friends. However, I know I am not the only one Reins of Rhythm helped. Every kid or teen at Reins of Rhythm has been impacted one way or another. Reins of Rhythm teaches you how to face real-life problems in the real world and gets you ready to be an adult.
I know every time I go to the barn there is going to be a memory waiting to be made, big or small. It is such an amazing program. I never knew I would be a volunteer too, at such an amazing program. Honestly watching the kids I help with grow into such amazing young adults like I did is such an amazing feeling.” —submitted by Ruth G.
[Read more happy horse stories: Stories of Hope]
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