February 2022

HwH is the Premier Accredited Center in Northern Arizona

Harnessing the proven benefits of therapeutic horsemanship, Horses with Heart (HwH) helps transform the lives of disabled children and adults—including U.S. military veterans—as they gain confidence, dignity and independence by riding our trained horses under the direction of highly-credentialed staff.

Additions to Our Herd

We are pleased to announce three new faces coming soon to HwH.

• Frankie is a 20-year-old bay Quarter Horse mare about 15.2 hands tall who has been a family trail horse.

• Brownie is a dark bay Percheron cross gelding just under 17 hands tall. He has done pretty much everything from basic dressage, driving, working cattle, and doing tricks.

• Diva is a 15-year-old bay tobiano paint mare about 16.1 hands tall. She has been ridden English, western, and has worked trail obstacles.

Horses Returning to HwH

The horses will return to HwH on February 15th & 16th. As there will be many tasks to prepare for their return, we will have work days on Wednesday 2/2 and 2/9. We'll start at 9:00 am. Projects will include shoveling and raking sand, setting feeders and water buckets in place, preparing the barn for feed deliveries, etc. Please come out to lend a hand and see all that is going on at our center.

Horse of the Month ~ Son

Kris Vollrath’s horse, Son, who is a part of our riding program, is featured this month. He has accomplished a huge milestone. With the patient help of one of HwH’s volunteers, Kay Lyons, Son is loading easily into a trailer. Son is part of the Competition Team and will be going to several horse shows this year when loading into a trailer is a must! Son is also ridden in many therapeutic riding classes. He is a favorite of many here at HwH.

Mary Smith - Volunteer of the Year
Some of Our Wonderful Volunteers and Donors

A Look Back at HwH’s Donor and Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon

Horses with Heart had its annual Donor and Volunteer Appreciation event on Saturday, February 15th. It was well attended, and fun was had by all. Donors were recognized and honored for their generous contributions to HwH. Volunteers were congratulated for the many hours of volunteer work they gave to HwH in 2021 – 22,383.25 hours in all.

Debi Covington, Event Coordinator, did a great job putting all the moving pieces in the right places, designing the program and certificates, photographing the event, and much more behind the scenes. Our hostess team led by Laura Smart and Malenna Gonsalves put on quite a tasty spread. They were assisted by Jane Hubbard (set up) and Nancy Hughes and Sandy Moriarity (servers). Those also working the event included Carol Gora, Angelique LeVell, Sherry Hoover, Pam Berry, Kate Adams, Bonnie Moreau and Jan Grise.

A highlight of the day was the naming of the Volunteer of the Year. The well-deserved honor went to Mary Smith who is our current Board President, Marvelous Minis Program Coordinator, Horse Supplement Coordinator, a Safety Support Team member and volunteer extraordinaire.

HELP WANTED

With the return of the horses, comes the need for Feeding and/or Mucking Staff. For someone willing to commit to multiple shifts and days for the full 2022 season, these can be a paid position(s). We will also need people who are interested in volunteering for a single shift or to be on an emergency fill-in/call list. If you or someone you know are interested in either position, please contact Pam Berry at your earliest convenience. 928-899-4759 or hwhoperations@gmail.com

Volunteer of the Month ~ Jane Hubbard

Jane Hubbard is a whirlwind in her many volunteer roles. She wasted no time in becoming a Safety Support Team member, a horse groomer, a mucker, a horse treatment person using the Therascope, a hospitality helper, and much, much more. Jane is so positive and encouraging in every task she undertakes. It is no wonder, she has been selected as Volunteer of the Month.
 
Q&A

1. How long have you been with Horses with Heart? I have been with HwH for a season and a half.
   

2. Why do you volunteer at Horses with Heart?
   The world is so big and impersonal now; HwH is somewhere I feel I can make a difference. I can walk a horse around for an hour and help a rider get stronger mentally and physically. I can groom and feed a horse that will help that rider mentally and physically.
   

3. What is your favorite memory of moment at Horses with Heart? I love watching the progress these riders make all while having a great time! I have one rider who started out very quiet and very intimidated by the horses. Now he is a regular chatterbox and can lead any horse around…from Rocky to Jewel.
   

4. If you could share one thing with new volunteers, what would that be? HwH really does appreciate our help! We bring our special talents and life experience. Our efforts are the base the instructors build on. Help where you can and you will be rewarded 10 times over!
   

Welcome to HwH Staff

We are pleased to announce that Deborah Thomas has taken the position of Horse Care Coordinator. She will be scheduling volunteers to help with duties such as lunch feedings, mucking, watering, and more. With the horses beginning to return to HwH the middle of February, Deborah will be getting in touch with volunteers to assign these important tasks. If you are interested in helping in any of these areas, please contact Deborah at dtswalkabout@yahoo.com or 360-720-3467.

Exciting Improvements Around the Ranch

It's been a very busy winter, and there is so much going on..... So far, we have new roofs on our buildings and have extended the water line to add 2 hydrants for watering horses. The electrician will be here to install the electric lines and lights in the barn this week. We will be adding solar lights to the south end of the horse stalls and storage area where there is no electricity available. Our manure trailer is getting a new box and will be ready to go before horses return. There is grading in process to improve drainage not only in our horse area but also for our roadways and parking lot. Soon we will have sides for wind break added to our existing horse shelters. And there will be new footing added to our arenas, round pen, and horse pens. If you would like to help financially with these improvements, contact Angelique LeVell or drop off your check at the HwH office.

Please note facility improvements on your check.

Form for Participants

Please click on the link below to access fillable forms. Once you have opened the form, do a “SAVE AS” and rename it Participant Form_your participant name. This allows you to save it in a form that you can email back to us or print and drop it off at our office. Please contact Sherry Hoover if you have any questions 928-533-9178 or sherryhwh@gmail.com.

For Participants: CLICK HERE

Our Horses Ask, “Will You Sponsor Me?”

Would you be willing to sponsor a horse during our riding season? Horses with Heart is offering 2022 sponsorship opportunities of our horses (at the levels below) which are based on a 4-Session riding season.  The horses/ponies are on the HwH property and cared for by HwH staff and volunteers from mid-February to mid-November.  By sponsoring a horse and/or pony, you are subsidizing the cost of feed, farrier, and vet care which are by far our largest expenses.  Please pick out your favorite horse or pony to sponsor today. They (the horses) and we (at HwH) will be most grateful!

Horse Sponsorship:

• Single Session: $500

• Two Sessions: $1000

• Three Sessions: $1500

• Four Sessions: $2000

 
Pony Sponsorship:

• Single Session: $250

• Two Sessions: $500

• Three Sessions: $750

• Four Sessions: $1000

 
The horses and ponies which are still available for sponsorship are:

• Horses: Big Ben (Sessions 3 & 4), Blackie, Brownie, Chili, Diva, Frankie, Jewel, Remedy, Son, Sunshine, Zee

• Ponies and Mini: Jazz, Lil Blackie, Rocky, Sam

Thank you for the sponsorships for: Big Ben (Sessions 1 & 2) and Sweet Pea (All 4 Sessions)

Horses with Heart will honor and thank you for your sponsorship with these gifts:

• Single Session: Leather bracelet with your horse’s/pony’s name engraved

• Two Sessions: Leather bracelet with your horse’s/pony’s name engraved, HwH horse/pony sponsor tote bag

• Three Sessions: Leather bracelet with your horse’s/pony’s name engraved, HwH horse/pony sponsor tote bag, HwH horse/pony sponsor baseball cap

• Four Sessions: Leather bracelet with you horse’s/pony’s name engraved, HwH horse/pony sponsor tote bag, HwH horse/pony sponsor baseball cap, Sponsorship Celebration on November 5

19th Annual Bowl-A-Thon Fundraiser ~ February 12th

Please sign up today to bowl at our 19th Annual Bowl-A-Thon on Saturday, February 12th at Antelope Lanes in Prescott Valley.

This annual event is not only fun, but it is an important fundraiser. Bowlers, guests, riders, and friends of Horses with Heart have a great opportunity to raise funds for our Horses with Heart Rider scholarship fund and/or general operating fund. Riders who raise pledges can offset the cost of their riding lessons up to the dollar amount they raise. Some riders have paid for their entire year of riding lessons. You don’t have to bowl to participate, or raise funds for this event, but we would love to have you come and cheer the bowlers on and participate in the Raffle!!!
Registration forms are available on the website and through the link below, as well as in the HwH office. They have also been emailed to all of our volunteers and riders. Sponsorships, which are greatly appreciated, can be paid by check or credit card, or make arrangements by calling Debi Covington (909-730-3312). Sponsors will be acknowledged the day of Bowl-A-Thon, as well on social media. Every dollar helps to provide the necessary means to continue our mission.

We have a team of volunteers who are working diligently on our annual Raffle. Team members are Janice Shanks, Sandy Vernon, Nancy Hughes, Leslie Shackleford, and Maureen Owens.

Some raffle items include : A beautiful Quilted Tote bag by Nancy Hughes, Dooney and Bourke handbag, Kid’s Arts and Crafts Kit, Adult’s Arts and Crafts Kit, Valentine Basket of goodies, Springhill Suites one-night stay, and much more.

Join us for a great time!!!!

Please CLICK HERE for the Bowl-A-Thon Registration and Pledge Forms.

Marvelous Mini ~ Rocky and Rose goes to Arabella in Sedona

I had the pleasure to travel with Mary Smith and Rocky on January 17th to present the HwH Marvelous Mini program to guests and staff at The Arabella Hotel-Sedona. Rocky was a star. When the music started, he performed his tricks like a champion. Rose, my mini, shared the stage with Rocky with pink hair ties and scarf. No tricks just her hugs and hand kisses.

Rocky and Rose won the hearts of those watching and learning about mini horses. At the end of two-hour experience, everyone knew more about miniature horses. Alisa Chapman, property manager, also traveled with us and wants Rocky and Rose to return soon. Rocky is one of the miniature horse ambassadors that travels around the community for HwH. Thank you, Mary and Rocky. We are excited about the new anti-bullying program hopefully getting into the schools this year.

Happy Trails,
Trudy Chapman Radley, proud owner of Rose

Arizona Quarter Horse Association Awards Banquet

On February 16th, Horses with Heart was honored at the Arizona Quarter Horse Association Awards Banquet. Dr. Madelyn Melchoirs, our veterinarian, board member and longstanding volunteer, gave a wonderful speech about Horses with Heart and a thank you to AZQHA for all they do to support the horse industry, including HwH. Several HwH Board Members and Staff attended the event to show our thanks and support to AZQHA.

WE HEARD YOU!

We received feedback after the Fun Bucks event in December that was taken to the Volunteer Committee and resulted in, what we think you’ll view as, positive changes. Here they are:

Our volunteers felt that they often forgot to collect their fun bucks and therefore didn’t have enough to spend at the event. Since Fun Bucks were based on volunteer time, the committee wanted to reward our volunteers on their actual volunteer time; not leave them out if they forgot to pick up Fun Bucks.

The first change is that there will be no more physical Fun Bucks! The colored $50 money rewards will now become a “credit card” to spend the day of the event. Each Volunteer will have a credit card loaded with their credit, based on volunteer hours, to spend as you like - to purchase an item or share your money with a friend. Any money spent will be debited from your credit card.

Credit will be tabulated from the number of hours you’ve volunteered and documented in Wranglr. The more you volunteer (and hours you log into Wranglr), the more credit “money” you have to spend. The only thing that has changed is that the tangible Fun Bucks won’t be printed any longer.

The Volunteer Committee originally decided to change the name from “Fun Bucks” to “Happy Hours”, but, for obvious reasons, the luncheon and prizes are going to be called, “Horsey Hours”. I think you’ll find this will be a more effective and more environmentally friendly way for HwH to reward our volunteers.

2022 Volunteer Orientations - Returning Volunteers

The Returning Volunteer Orientation is just around the corner. It will be held on Saturday, February 19th from 8:30 am -10:30 am. For those serving, or wanting to serve, on a Safety Support Team, the SST Refresher will be held on the same day from 10:45 am-1:15 pm. Attending a Volunteer Orientation is required for all volunteers each year as per our accreditation from PATH Intl. and our insurance carrier. If you have been or want to be on a Safety Support Team, attending the SST Refresher is required as well.
Please complete the Update Form and submit form by email (Click here Do a “Save As” and rename) or bring to HwH the day of the Orientation. If it’s been more than two years since you’ve volunteered, please complete and submit the Volunteer Agreement Form. (Click here.) Please RSVP to Carol Gora hwhvolcoord@gmail.com by Friday, February 12th.

For Returning Volunteers (volunteered with HwH in 2021 and 2020): Click here for Update Form

National Snaffle Bit Association (NSBA) Heroes on Horses

Horses with Heart is excited to be a part of the NSBA (National Snaffle Bit Association) Heroes on Horses to be held at Westworld in Scottsdale, March 9th!

Our very own Kris Vollrath and Jackie Boyd will have the opportunity to practice with the pros March 8th, and then compete in a Western Pleasure class on the 9th.

We also have many of our Veteran volunteers participating in the Parade of Heroes on March 9th, carrying a flag, and being honored as Heroes. We invite you, our HwH family and friends, to cheer them on. Order your long sleeve Heroes on Horses HwH souvenir Tee-shirt for $25. Please order by February 11th by contacting Sherry @ 928-533-9178 or sherryhwh@gmail.com

Please see this article: Heroes on Horses Expands to West - National Snaffle Bit Association (nsba.com)
Please see this video that shows part of the event.
https://www.nsba.com/heroes-on-horses

Clarification of Volunteer Hours and Awards

A new year, some changes, and some clarifications! Let’s talk volunteer appreciation awards!

25 hours – Each volunteer receives a HwH tee-shirt and is invited to the Volunteer/Donor Appreciation Luncheon where they receive a certificate for their accomplishments.

500 Hours Award (formally known as “the 5-year vest award”)
This new policy will be affective starting on December 1, 2021.
Previously, anyone who volunteered for 5 years AND volunteered 500 hours was eligible to receive a HwH vest.

This is the part that has been changed:

• Now, anyone who volunteers a total of 500 hours will receive a HwH vest at the next Volunteer Appreciation program (first event when this new policy will be in effect is January 2023).

• The 500 hours can be accrued in 2 years, 5 years or ? years; there is no minimum or maximum number of years to obtain the 500 Hours Award. The goal is to reach 500 hours to obtain the HwH vest.

• 10-year pin - Awarded after volunteering for 10 years

• 15 year pin – Awarded after volunteering for 15 years

• 20 year pin – Awarded after volunteering for 20 years

• 25 year pin – Awarded after volunteering for 25 years

• 30 year pin– Awarded after volunteering for 30 years……you get the idea!

 
HwH staff believe that if our volunteers achieved 500 hours in, for example, 2 years, we should be able to recognize them for their efforts at that time, and not make them wait till they have volunteered 5 years and volunteered 500 hours to obtain a HwH vest. More volunteer hours only help Horses with Heart, and our volunteers should be rewarded and recognized for their work.
 
If you have questions, or need clarification of the new guidelines, please call the Carol, Volunteer Coordinator at 928.533.9178.

Arizona Charitable Tax Credit Program

Do you owe Arizona state tax? Did you know that you can direct your Arizona tax dollars to Horses with Heart? HwH is a qualifying charitable organization. Under AZ Charitable Tax Credit Law, ARS 43-1088, state taxpayers can earn up to $800 (married couples) or $400 (singles) in dollar-to-dollar tax credit for donations made to HwH. (QCO code 20347)

We thank the many who use the tax credit program to benefit Horses with Heart. These funds are used immediately in our programs serving those with special needs – children and adults, Veterans and First Responders, and seniors.

Competition Team in Action

2022 Riding Season Starts March 5th

Our 2022 Riding Season is just around the corner. Our HwH Competition Team will kick off its Spring Season on Saturday, March 5th with a team meeting and a time for team members to groom their assigned horses. Our other programs - Therapeutic Riding Lessons, Veterans and First Responders, and Silver Saddle - will begin the week of March 7th. These lessons are held on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

We anticipate full classes this year, so please contact Assistant Riding Director, Sherry Hoover, for more information or to register. Sherry can be reached at sherryhwh@gmail.com or 928-533-9178.

Coming Soon… the Classy Pony Resale Boutique

Randi Wagner, former volunteer manager of the YHS Thrift Store Equine Department, will be designing and creating HWH's new "Classy Pony Resale Boutique."

All horse people have tack, clothing, western decor, etc., but there is currently no local place for them to exchange it.

The new boutique will provide a place to donate and purchase up-scale items to benefit our wonderful HWH programs. 100% of the proceeds will benefit Horses with Heart.

Calendar of Events

• February 12 ~ Bowl-A-Thon

• February 19 ~ Returning Volunteer Orientation & SST Refresher

• February 26 ~ New Volunteer Orientation & SST Training 101

• March 5 ~ Competition Team Season begins

• March 7th -11th ~ First week of Session 1 Lessons

• March 9 ~ National Snaffle Bit Association Heroes on Horses Celebration, Westworld, Scottsdale

• March 26, April 23, May 21 ~ CVEP All Breed Horse Shows, Chino Valley Equestrian Park

• April 20 ~ Orientation & SST Training

• June 22 ~ Horsey Hours Event (Using Wranglr logged in volunteer hrs.)

• Summer Clinics

  • July 13 ~ Driving Clinic

  • TBD ~ Trailer Driving Clinic

  • TBD ~ Showing Horses Clinic

  • TBD ~ Disability Education Clinic

• July 16 or 23 ~ Orientation & SST Training

• June 30 ~ Happy Hearts Rodeo (Note: Thursday)

• July 2 ~ Frontier Days Parade

• September 14 ~ Orientation & SST Training

• September 24 ~ Have a Heart Barrel Race

• November 12 ~ Sequins and Saddles

• December 6 ~ Horsey Hours Event & Christmas Luncheon

HELP US MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR OTHERS

From donations to sponsorships to SHOPPING for holidays, birthdays or weddings you can make a difference for others and Horses with Heart.