Making It Count!

Dear Friends of The Pony Express,

Giving Tuesday is a day where everyone, everywhere can do something to support the good causes and communities that mean so much to them. Making it count in ways that count on a day that celebrates and encourages giving in all its forms. It is a day that encourages people to give back in any way they can; and it is a day that speaks to the heart and soul of the countless ways The Pony Express has been connecting humans with horses to make for a better humanity since 1982.

Albert Einstein once said, " Everything that can be counted does not always count; and everything that counts can't always be counted."

As humans it is our nature to count, measure, and test. It is how we evaluate. The proof is in the data. But what do those tests show, and more importantly, what don’t they show? In our outdoor classroom with horses as teachers there is a safe seat at our stable for one and all. Our horses hold the space, and it can’t be measured. Within that space there is a partnership of trust that honors honesty without judgement. That too, can’t be measured. It is the foundation that all of our Equine Assisted Horse Courses in humanity are built on. There are no grades given, and no one fails to learn. 

It is as Temple Grandin says, “hands on learning teaches valuable skills.” Transferable skills that may or may not count in ways that are counted. Our programs offer opportunities to learn more about ourselves through the eyes of a horse. Our horses have the innate ability to see our potential, even when we don’t. What they gift us with is a value that is immeasurable. Horse support can make a difference when all other means that are measured fall short. Sharing outdoor space in nature with horses that nurture our soul. We are counting the ways and creating the means to continue to make this possible. We are grateful, thankful, and hopeful for your continued support. Thank you! 

Horses change kids. Kids change the world.

Celebrating the Gift that Keeps on Giving!

Nonprofits like The Pony Express not only rely heavily on shared humanity and generosity but are founded on it. Created in 2012, Giving Tuesday was born as a simple idea: it's a day that encourages people to do good. Since then, it has grown into a year-round global movement, inspiring hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.

Homage to Our Horse Partners

Horses don’t see our labels; they don’t read our charts.

Every day is a new day, and with it a fresh start.

I look into my horse's eyes and see not what I have done.

I look and I see what I hope to become. 

With my horse I am present, I am strong.

My heart is full, my mind is calm.

The science says it’s so, this place of peace that horses know.

They take us to a time where we can stand still.

A place where even the most troubled minds can heal.

Taking in the wisdom of horses from the ground. It is so simple yet so profound.  

The path to peace is a partnership between four legs and two.

 That which you thought you could not do; horses teach us you can, and you will.

When you honor your truth!

LA

Wanted Horse Kids and Kids that Love Horses!

We are pleased to announce that our Equine Assisted Skills for Youth Program is now open for registration. Participants will have the opportunity to experience hands on learning and leadership skills in partnership with horses and nature at

The Pony Express Ranch.

For more information, please check out our website at www.theponyexpressrocks.org

The Pony Express is an Equine Rescue.

All of our horses and ponies have a story. Just like we do.

 Please meet Jack and read part two of his story...

Giving Jack his Life Back!

When we got to The Pony Express Ranch, I was filled with fear. Our old home was not the best home, but it was all that Brody and I had ever known. Now we had been taken to someplace new. I nickered to Brody, and he nickered back. We would have each other's backs he said. And just then, the trailer door swung open. As I peeked from underneath the heavy locks of my forelock, I could see the many horses, and ponies too. All eyes were on us. I hope they liked me, and Brody too.

Soon we were in our own corral. Our new person brought us food. I was so hungry. Brody and I had not eaten in a while, so a warm meal was a welcome sight. The next day there was a herd of little humans that came out to see us. They seemed excited. I was excited too. Brody warned me to be careful. Humans could not be trusted, he said. Sometimes they care about you. Sometimes they don’t. Today was a good day. They cared, and for the first time in a long time, I felt cared for.

They brushed Brody and I until our coats began to shine. It felt good. The vet came out to visit us. He said we needed to gain weight, especially Brody. He was worried about Brody, and so was I. I was grateful that we got mashes every morning and every night and handfuls of fresh hay in between. Such a welcome change to the long days and nights when there was nothing to eat in our dirt field, except the dirt in our field.

For the first time in a long time my stomach felt full, and the little humans made me feel like I finally had the life that I had always hoped for. While I was thriving, Brody was barely surviving. The move, though much needed, was a lot for him. He had lived in the empty dirt field longer than I had. This new life was a big change. He said he still felt hungry. Even when he wasn’t, the pain in his stomach seemed to stay with him. Humans had caused the pain which made him very wary, and aware of those on two legs, and even those on four. He was not adjusting to the adjustments very well.

One day Brody got a really bad stomachache. The vet came out. He was colicking they said. Brody said his stomach hurt. I guess that was what colicking was. They gave him medicine and the nice people at the ranch did everything they could to help Brody get better, but he didn’t. I lost my best friend that day. They said it was from too many years of not enough food and proper care. Brody was my protector, my friend, and my big brother. The only family I had ever really known, and now I found myself alone. I was very sad. How would I go on from here, I wondered? 

I was grateful for the little humans who came to visit me every day. They gave me so much love, and the fear of not getting fed again was slowly fading. I had my own stall and there was always a mash in my grain bucket and fresh hay in my feeder. My ribs that you could once count out through my dull and dirty coat were now hard to find under the sheen of my no longer lean frame. It was nice to feel good and look good too. I missed Brody, but I didn't miss our old life. If only I had a horse friend to hang out with. The little humans loved me, but the horses didn’t. I tried to join their herd, but they kept sending me away. They would lay their ears back and stomp their feet. If I failed to heed the subtleties, their feet would fly, and so would I.

Why didn’t they like me I wondered? I didn’t grow up with other horses or a herd of my own. For most of my life it was just Brody and I, and he never told me no. If I got pushy, instead of pushing back, Brody would just back up. Now the horses at my new home kept sending me back. It hurt to be left, and now it hurt to be left out. I had many lessons to learn. I didn’t understand boundaries they told me. What did that mean, I wondered? Boundaries, that was a big word for a little pony.

I just wanted to be liked and, in my excitement, I would forget to ask to be invited. Again, and again they would send me back to the barn to rethink my behavior. So many time outs when all I wanted was to be in. I was grateful for my humans who loved me even when I stepped out of line.

Learning about life, later in life was not easy but I was grateful to have been given this new lease on life. In time I was able to find my place in line. The horses taught me that boundaries protected me, and everyone around me. In that way we could all stay safe. Once I learned how to read, honor, and respond; I was able to form new bonds. My lessons in learning how to be a better listener had a lasting effect.

I have a herd now, and I finally feel at home. Sometimes I lead, but most of the time I follow because there are better leaders in our herd. I know that I have special gifts that the others don’t have. I know how to open gates. They don’t. They depend on me for that. It feels good to be able to do something that they can’t. I learned that my mind is different, not better, not worse. Just different, and that’s ok. I see things that they don’t, and I can do things that they can’t. I depend on them to keep me safe, and they depend on me too.

The Pony Express gave me a place where I could feel safe, and a purpose too. I get to share space with the herd of little humans that come to visit. Sometimes I follow them, and sometimes they follow me. The leadership is shared. I like that. I can see and feel how much they love me. That feels good, and I know my big brother Brody is watching over me too. My name is Jack. I'm a pony, and I’m grateful to have my life back.

For Part One of this story, follow this link...

https://conta.cc/3P2QWch

To our Howarth Park family.

The struggle is real, but so is our commitment.

We hope to see you soon!