Making a Difference in Kids’ Lives

There are few things as rewarding as making a difference in a child’s life.
This summer Coastal Equine combined forces with Blue Skies for Children, a non-profit organization based in Whatcom County. Blue Skies provides enrichment programs for homeless, low-income and foster children.

We started Green Pastures, a week long camp focusing on the human/horse relationship, emotional connection and life skills. Because of the huge competition for non-profit funding, we wanted to provide this camp at no extra cost to Blue Skies. We reached out to local businesses and individuals for sponsorship and had a great response, allowing us to offer the camp free of charge to 28 children aged 6 to 13.

An hour into the first day of camp, Blake and I looked at each other, wondering what we had gotten ourselves into. Rocks were flying, kids were hanging from the barn rafters. I had to use a coach’s whistle to get their attention. Only a handful of the kids had ever sat on a horse. For the camp, we’d brought nine retired and well-broke cowhorses; however, they had not been used for beginners.


I wasn’t sure how the horses would respond to the children and was even more worried that the kids would be respectful and listen to me and my staff while they were riding and handling the horses. The potential for disaster was great.

My worry, it seemed, was for naught. I was pleasantly surprised by how the kids quieted down and focused their attentions as soon as they got near the horses.

I must admit that I was stunned at how careful the horses were with each of the kids and how respectful each one of the 28 kids were with the horses. By the end of the week, the kids were trotting around the arena, going over obstacles, backing, side passing, and many of them were loping. Amazing!

Even more meaningful was seeing the transformation in these kids. They demonstrated attention and the willingness to work and participate. They helped feed, clean stalls, pick up trash and saddle the horses. By the last day, kids swept the barn aisle and raked up hay without being asked. Many of the older kids took younger children under their wings. They played games, participated in team building exercises, made lucky horse shoes and waited eagerly for their chance to ride. We built hay forts and made stick horses. Thanks to Tracey Westbury, the kids got to meet and learn about mustangs.

Throughout the week I thought so much about what horses have meant in my life. I wondered what it would have been like to have gone through hard times, both as a child and as an adult, without horses as an outlet.  

I thought about all the things that a horse can teach a human; responsibility, accountability, unconditional love. It’s powerful, what a horse will give back for what you give.

It was moving to have the kids run up to me to tell me all they had accomplished; looking into a bright girl’s face telling me she had trotted and that she’d learned what I meant when I said horses move away from pressure. It was also rewarding to see show horses who had taught me most of what I know packing the kids around and being champions in a new arena. My oldest friend, my 34-year-old mare Bayleen, helped to teach yet another generation. I couldn’t have anticipated how emotional and meaningful this whole experience would be for me, my staff and my clients. In the end, I think that Green Pastures ended up being as gratifying for us as it was for the kids.

For more information on Green Pastures go to www.coastalequine.com and for more information on Blue Skies for Children go to www.blueskiesforchildren.org                                                                 NWHS

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