by Honey Cowan

My first "Heaven sent Horse" was Drottning, an Icelandic Horse who went crazy on the trip from Iceland . For the first few months we got to know each other. She needed to learn the smell of a new land, sight and climate. I only rode with expert riders. I never knew if she would bolt, run, or be afraid. I always praised her where she stopped, never punished her and continued to love her. She is now and has been for 6-7 years the best horse in my Equine Facilitated Riding Program. She reads the clients and will mirror their inner self and she expresses great gentleness and caring for clients, like her, who have been transported, abandoned and abused.

My second "Heaven sent horse", is a Friesian/Percheron Draft. I work with group home youth, many of whom over eat to satisfy the hunger and need for love and caring, and weigh 250-300 pounds, Lovee was in an ad at the Draft Horse Classic. I gave information to each Draft Horse owner about my program. One offered to donate a 2,800 lb. Belgian 3 1/2 (I loved him), but, he would grow to 18h; not safe for our program. I found an ad for a Percheron cross, whom I knew I had to buy. Faith told me to see her. She has been with me for 4 weeks and has changed lives. She too put her head in my chest, all 1,600 lbs of her, and followed me around the round pen, came when I called her (new name from Lilly to Lovee), and gently takes every depressed boy and girl who rides her bareback with a halter from depression to smiles in the two hour she works with them. Someday, somewhere, someone guided these horses to our program and while all 13 horses (two miniatures) are special these are Heaven sent, I am grateful to have the equine partners I have for my prevention riding program along with a wonderful NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association), certified riding professional, and invaluable volunteers.

Tory, our third "Heaven Sent Horse" is a Paso Fino. I sometimes pretend he is a Lippanzer Stallion and we parade and play. He, too, is safe and sensitive. I had a young boy who was ADHD and very difficult to get focused. As he was riding Tory, the "Ultimate Caretaker" and gaited as well, he was far off from focus. "If you don't pay attention I'll make Tory run." "You wouldn't dare" said the young boy. With that I said "Tory Corto". He started in a very smooth non-rousing gait but faster than a walk. The young boy shouted as he grabbed the mane "I'll listen, I'll listen". To this day he has.

Thank Heaven for special horses.