This week my team is working with Horizon Farms. This farm is complete with horses, ducks, geese, rabbits, and more.
They also provide a home and place to work for many people who are out of mainstream society. Many of these individuals have mental handicaps, some have acquired brain injuries, others diseases like cerebral palsy. Horizon Farms gives these people a place to feel loved and accepted and also offers them opportunities for therapy and work. Horse therapy is used here and they have seen amazing results! One of the residents, Nikki, couldn’t walk before he got on the horses, but after riding for a while he learned to walk! 3
They also provide a home and place to work for many people who are out of mainstream society. Many of these individuals have mental handicaps, some have acquired brain injuries, others diseases like cerebral palsy. Horizon Farms gives these people a place to feel loved and accepted and also offers them opportunities for therapy and work. Horse therapy is used here and they have seen amazing results! One of the residents, Nikki, couldn’t walk before he got on the horses, but after riding for a while he learned to walk! 3
Our role on the farm this week is to help out while many of the residents and full time volunteers are on holiday. Every morning we groom the horses and clean the stables, that’s right, we are pooper-scoopers. We are also staining the patio. Since the work is only a few hours a day we have been challenged to get to know some of the residents, staff, and other volunteers here. They are some amazing people who have amazing hearts for the people here. I had the privilege of talking with Margaret, the house mom, yesterday and hearing some of her story. She is an amazing woman of faith. Look out for my next blog with Margaret’s story!
Kyle, Kayla, and Kelly scooping poop
Here is a brief overview of what our days here have looked like:
7:50am – Get up
8:00am – Breakfast
9:00am – Groom horses and clean paddocks
10:00am – Free time (Quiet time, journaling, reading, napping, talking with staff & residents, etc.)
12:30pm – Lunch
2:00pm – Clean & stain the deck (on the days we could)
3:00pm – Free time (Hikes, more reading, blogging, etc.)
One day we were able to ride… this was the day I fell off…
5:30pm – Dinner
6:30pm – Feedback and Team-time
9:00pm – Bed
Many Blessings,
Kim
