Healing Reins of Kentucky Inc.
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news and events

SHARE THE JOY OF READING

4/7/2020

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"  Reading is an amazing gift that does not have to stop because of social distancing during this pandemic.  The Reading with Rocky and Friends Program promotes early literacy and equine-assisted learning, uses experiential, real-world learning to promote the love of reading.
Please share and enjoy these short videos, as we bring the Reading with Rocky Program highlights straight to your home!  Read with our friends and then you can read to yours!  We encourage you to send us videos of you reading to your best friends too! 
The recent events surrounding Covid-19, the schedule changes and school closures, can make some children, and even their parents anxious or feel uncertain about the future.  Reading is a normality that can be constant and unchanging, it stimulates our imagination and promotes bonds within our homes that create security. 
Please watch, as Jody our HR Instructor and her pony "Peanut" share a fun story called "Pony Crazy".  Continue to follow Healing Reins as we bring more stories to you from the barnyard!

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taking big strides with tiny hooves

2/19/2020

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The "Reading with Rocky and Friends" program reaches five Henderson County Schools and impacts over 250 students this year. 

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THANK YOU!
To our Sponsors, Volunteers and miniature horses!
Reading with Rocky has been blessed with many individuals and organizations that have provided funding and support for the program.  Grants, donations and volunteers make it possible!

Healing Reins of Kentucky would like to thank Gavilon for supporting Healing Reins' mission of providing quality learning opportunities and connections to learning through the use of equines.  Gavilon allowed the program to take roots through its generous support and funding.

Most importantly, as well, our dedicated  trained volunteers make Reading with Rocky and our Therapeutic Riding Program a great experience and success!  However, Rocky and Tater Tot deserve an "extra measure of grain thanks" for working so very hard and overcoming their natural instincts to remain calm and collected in new surroundings.  Without them.... "Reading with Rocky" would not be possible!

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2020 kicks off with Veteran's family event

2/5/2020

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  On January 18, 2020, Healing Reins of Kentucky hosted a Veteran's Family Event at Rolling Hills Equestrian in Henderson, Kentucky.  The purpose of the event was to honor local veterans by providing a fun family centered event where families could strengthen bonds through horses and create a support network by meeting other local veterans and their families. 
   Sixteen Healing Reins volunteers participated in helping with equine centered activities; horse-back riding, miniature horse grooming, hay rides, BBQ dinner and children's activities like mini jumping, bean bag toss, coloring, and learning horse care basics.  Two local Veteran's centered organizations;  The USI Student Veterans Organization and Basin Law Group (NATIONALVETHELP.COM) supported the event by providing resources for our Veterans.
   Healing Reins is honored to be able to host this event through the generous contribution and grant funding from the Sandy Lee Watkins Songfest Grant.   More Veterans Family community events will be planned through-out 2020.  Special thanks to Josh Jones for connecting our local Veterans and their families to this event and to Healing Reins.
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Do you know what's in store for 2019?

1/12/2019

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This year we expect to grow even bigger and better! We have many new participants eager to start!
We have veterans who would find it therapeutic to work with horses. We have schools lining up to be part of the Reading with Rocky (and friends) program. We have recently made a partnership with Autism Evansville.  But.... we cannot continue growing without you! Please consider volunteering in any way you can. With all of the new and exciting opportunities WE have been presented, we need a dedicated team to fulfill them. We have opportunities for YOU ranging from weekly in-the barn jobs to stay at home tasks. Some require horse experience and others do not.  Below is a list of just some of the tasks that can be filled by volunteers like you! Please email
horsesheal1@gmail.com with any interest or questions.
  • Side-walking in lessons weekly
  • Horse leading in lessons weekly
  • Fundraising events as needed
  • Photography as needed
  • Skilled worker such as carpentry, sewing, or general maintenance as needed
  • Organization in the office and in the barn
Have a special talent or experience you could share regularly? Join a committee! Some meet monthly, some are project oriented and meet for a short period of time. We can even support call-ins! Don’t be afraid to help us so that we may help others. Below is a list of our current committees available for inquires.  Please send an email to horsesheal1@gmail.com to the contact listed.
  • Volunteer committee- contact Monica Fella 
  • Funding and Finance committee- contact Bill Fidler 
  • Equine care committee-contact Carolyn Schottel 
  • Governance committee- contact Bill Fidler 
  • Program committee- contact Stacy Denton 

    And Remember!!
    ​If you are not able to volunteer, don't worry!  You can always help by becoming a donor or by simply sharing our Mission; talk to friends and co-workers about what we are doing and SHARE our posts on social media (Facebook, Instagram)!  

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2018 year in review

1/12/2019

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  2018- an EXCITING year for Healing Reins!
  This year we were awarded 4 different grants. The Preston Family Foundation, Community Foundation of West Kentucky, Gavilon, and United Way awarded grants totaling over $50,000. Grants help us keep our lessons at a low cost and a high quality and care for our horses. The biggest award was presented by United Way, through the Venture Grant totaling $38,000 to purchase our very own "Reading with Rocky" mobile equine learning center! Healing Reins would like to thank all those involved in the grant application and donation process. Your contributions help grow our program and sustain our efforts for years to come!

  2018 was the first year we offered Therapeutic Riding lessons in multiple sessions throughout the year.  We had the privilege of providing therapeutic lessons for 26 riders. Over 100 first grade students participated in our pilot literacy program "Reading with Rocky". Our second pilot program, served 6 Veterans. Finally, hundreds of people were impacted in promotional appearances at Ellis Park, the Experiencing Autism walk, and Approachable Animals days on the farm.
Volunteers are the hub of the non-profit wheel that keep us moving forward. It takes a lot of time and passion to be a volunteer for any therapeutic riding program, but especially  new and developing ones. Healing Reins would like to highlight some volunteers that have been devoted to us all year long. These volunteers have been prominent volunteers in lessons and at our fundraising events. They have logged many hours at the barn as leaders, sidewalkers, decorators, mini horse handlers, and so much more. The star volunteers are: Sandy Snyder, Kali Basham, Carolyn Schottel, and Jody Pfister.  All of the volunteers that contributed in 2018, whether you served 1 hour or a hundred, are so valuable to Healing Reins and we thank you!
  We have horses of all shapes, sizes, and talents, and we love and care for them all. We would like to highlight the horse who did the most this year. He did a tremendous amount of lessons, pony ride events, posed for pictures, and was a petting pony for multiple events.  Sir Dorset showed his true potential and many people the reason we use our equine partners for therapy. He was the face of Healing Reins in many promotions. The next time you see him give him a good pat and maybe a peppermint or two!

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Meet our new Program Director!  Monica Fella

1/12/2019

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Our program is continuing to grow in leaps and bounds! This year it was time for us to hire someone in a full time position to help with the organizational cohesion of the many programs that go on at both of our local equestrian campuses.
Monica Fella grew up in Evansville, Indiana and is a Western Kentucky University Alumni. Our focus in looking for a qualified Program Coordinator, was organization and personnel management. Monica’s experience as a Volunteer Coordinator at a hospital in Montana quickly stood out. While living in Montana, Monica became heavily involved with Eagle Mount Therapeutic Equine Program.  Her volunteer hours included Therapeutic Riding instruction and continuing to become a PATH certified  riding instructor and equine specialist in mental health. She also become a level 2 coach at the Equine Special Olympics while at Eagle Mount.  Monica came with a great recommendation by Stacy Denton, a long time friend, who introduced her to many board members and staff while she was in town visiting over the summer.
The decision to hire a Program Director was a huge milestone in our development, but as a non-profit we needed organization and someone who could be fully committed to Healing Reins on a full-time basis. With her work experience in volunteer program management, affiliations and certifications in therapeutic riding, and personal recommendation, Monica was a clear choice for us. Monica started in October 2018 and has since taken on many projects including organizing existing programs, proposing new programming, organizing fundraisers, seeking public relations opportunities and being the community relation for Healing Reins. We thank her for her decision to join our journey, knowing she will continue to bring great improvements to Healing Reins!

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Horses Greet Local Students with Special Needs,  Introduction of Equine Assisted Learning Program

10/3/2017

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On Friday, September 29th, five local students with special needs, ventured out to Blue Moon Stables to participate in a developing Equine Assisted Learning Program offered by Healing Reins.   The excitement was felt immediately by participants who enjoyed a break from their typical school environment and experienced the sensory experience of being on a working farm and horse stable.  Students were delighted to pet, brush, braid manes, interact and socialize with several ponies. ​ They participated in helping to care for them by measuring and delivering their feed and hay cubes.  Other activities involved learning about agriculture through planting clover seeds and then they created book marks with real clover they picked from the fields, decorated and laminated.   Teachers, Instructors and Students all enjoyed this positive experience learning in a unique environment!

Healing Reins will continue to develop its Equine Assisted Learning Program and is looking for grants and Sponsorships to fund school and group educational experiences.  

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Fall News and Upcoming Events

9/18/2017

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A Gallop to the Finish!

6/7/2017

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They did it again!  
On May 13, 2017 the Henderson Audubon Board of Realtors held the second annual "Run for the Roses" benefiting Healing Reins!  We are so honored to be the recipient of $5256 which was presented to us at our Open House Event.  Missy Vanderpool and Tara Dixon represented the Henderson Audubon Board of Realtors and were elemental to its success!  Thank you again for supporting us, we appreciate all of your hard work and dedication !

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Thank You ! Henderson Audubon Board of Realtors!

8/26/2016

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On July 30, 2016 Healing Reins was presented a check for $5,753 from the Henderson Audubon Board of Realtors.  This was a result of the first annual "Run for the Roses" charity race organized by the Henderson Audubon Board of Realtors. 

​Community wide events like this, not only strengthen the bond among neighbors and promote healthy living but they also contribute to community organizations such as ours.  We are so grateful to be the benefactor of this race and especially thankful to work with such an amazing team, The Henderson Audubon Board of Realtors! 

​The check presentation took place at the Downtown Farm and art market at Audubon Mill park, hosted by the Downtown Henderson Partnership.  There was no better place to celebrate and announce the success of the "Run for the Roses"!  Thank you to all who came down to support Healing Reins!  We are so excited to continue our community relationship the Henderson Audubon Board of Realtors and look forward to next years race! 

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​Healing Reins is also proud to announce the first scholarship recipient for the program!  The Healing Reins Board unanimously decided to grant Susan Nance, a scholarship for 24 free lessons with the program.  This scholarship was donated by and anonymous donor, of which, we are ever so grateful!  



Susan is a completely blind rider and has been enjoying lessons at Blue Moon Stables for over 5 years now.  She is the inspiration behind Healing Reins and her positive attitude makes her the perfect role model for our students.  Congratulations Susan!



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  • Home
  • About Us
    • Campus Locations
    • Our Human Team
    • Our Horse Team
    • Our Accomplishments
    • Store
  • Programs
    • Therapeutic Riding
    • Reading with Rocky and friends
    • Equine Experience
  • Get Involved
    • Volunteer >
      • Volunteer Portal
    • Donate
  • News & Events
    • Diamonds and Denim Gala
    • Christmas on the farm
    • Videos
    • Testimonials
    • Photo Gallery
  • Contact Us