Mission and GoalsThe Power of LoveChampioning the Humane Care of Equines and other Hooved Animals Through Legislation, Investigation, Impoundments, Rehabilitation, Education and Community Outreach. HARPS is dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation to abused and neglected hooved animals. In an effort to break the cycle of abuse, we believe that educating children regarding the proper care of animals, respect for others (animal & human), and demostrating the powerful bonds between humans and animals can infact stop abuse before it begins. A Horse is One of Life’s Greatest Gifts Having a horse in your life is a gift. For this, we can be grateful. Horses teach us purpose and dedication. Unlike automobiles or computers, a horse requires daily care. Choosing to leave your cozy home to feed her, or to break the ice off of her water bucket is to accept responsibility for her. When she tears into her hay, or dips her nose and drinks heartily--we see that we've made the correct choice.
Caring for a horse is both an art and a science. Some are easy keepers, requiring little more than a regular turn-out, a flake of hay, and a trough of clean water. Others will test you--you will struggle to keep them from becoming too fat or too thin. You will regularly shoe their feet, only to find their shoes have gone missing. Some are so accident-prone you will swear that they are intentionally finding new ways to injure themselves.
If you haven't been raised around horses, you won't know that they have unique personalities. Indeed, there are clever horses, grumpy horses, and even horses with senses of humor. Some will test you by finding ways to escape from their barn or pasture just when you least expect it. Horses can be timid or brave, lazy or athletic, or obstinate or willing. You will "hit it off" with some horses while others will elude you altogether. There are as many "types" of horses as there are "types" of people--making your partnership with your horse all the more interesting.
If you have never ridden a horse, you could assume that it's a simple thing that can be learned over a weekend. You can, in fact, learn the basics quickly--but to learn to ride truly well will take a lifetime of work. Working with a living, breathing animal is far more complex than turning the key in your car's ignition, or pressing a button to start your computer.
Your horse will have quite a few things to demonstrate to you as well. On a good day, she'll be happy to "go with the program" and tolerate your mistakes; on a bad day, she will be naughty and impatient and you'll swear she is trying to kill you. She may humble you completely. But in reality, maybe she's as frustrated as you are--she may not be learning your language just as you are not learning hers. In any case, your horse will have an opinion. She may choose to challenge you (making you a better rider), or dutifully jump you over fences--if it suits her.
Everything will depend upon your partnership with your horse--and developing the partnership is the ultimate goal of your relationship. You will be challenged mentally, as well as physically. If you face your fears, swallow your pride, and are willing to really work, you will learn courage, compassion, and commitment. You will learn just how much you need to learn, and you will learn that you must keep learning.
You can always choose to intimidate your horse to get results, but do you really want to? The results may come more quickly, but will they ever be as worthwhile as those gained on the basis of trust? Good partners listen, as well as instruct. The best understand. When we succeed with a horse, as in life, we experience the sense of true accomplishment that can only be achieved through hard work and tears. You will sense that your horse enjoys your partnership as much as you do. Everything will fall into place.
Adults with horses must learn to squeeze riding into their already-busy schedules, and balance their equine interests with that of their families and employers. There will never be "enough" time to ride, or time to learn to ride as well as we'd like. The hours we spend in the barn are a pleasure we "steal" from our other duties. The barn is a sanctuary--it is a simple, sheltered place in a complicated, harsh world. It is a place where life's true priorities become clear: the warm place to sleep, the source of a regular meal, and the wellspring of love. We need this reminder--when we step back, it's not just about our horse, but life itself.
On any given day, a horse-lover celebrates the birth of a foal, the winning of a blue ribbon, or the recovery from an illness. That same day, another horse-lover suffers an injury or a loss, maybe even shouldering the burden of deciding to gently end their horse's life. As horse lovers, we experience their accelerated life cycles--the rush of birth, life, and death that caring for these animals brings us. When our horses pass from our lives, it brings more than just a moment of sorrow. We express our feelings of loss with love, and words of gratitude for the way our lives have been blessed by their presence. Our memories contain joy and wonder. We honor our horses for their hearts, their courage, and their devotion.
To those outside our circle, it must appear strange: who could guess that such feelings come along with dirty hands and muddy boots? In the end, we're not certain if God entrusts our horses to us, or if God entrusts us to our horses. Does it matter? We remain grateful. - Author Unknown - |
