November 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.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING from HORSES with HEART!

Classy Pony Resale Boutique Update

We would like to introduce our new Boutique Coordinator, Kathleen Klein. A volunteer at Horses with Heart for the last five years, Kathleen brings retail experience, as well as sales savvy, to this endeavor. Want to volunteer in the Boutique? Please contact Kathleen by click on one of the buttons below. We need to staff it more regularly since it helps bring in revenue for HwH.

Our tiny boutique has so many items, they all won't fit!  We have a Painted Ponies collection, movie and rodeo memorabilia, and tack.  If you don't see what you are shopping for just ask us. Horses with Heart’s 30th Anniversary apparel and souvenirs will be arriving this month. Stop by the boutique to purchase yours!

Horses with Heart is Looking for Seasonal Stable Hands and Horse Care Coordinator

As we’ve begun planning for next season, Deborah and Tim Thomas have let us know they will be traveling quite a bit next year, and for that reason will not be continuing in their current roles as Horse Care Coordinator and Stable Hand. We will miss them when they’re not here, but they have assured me they will still be at HwH helping when they are not traveling. These staff positions are vital to our day-to-day operations. The Horse Care Coordinator recruits and schedules volunteers for mucking, lunch feeding, weekend turnouts, etc., as well as coordinating mentors for new volunteers interested in helping with horse care. The Stable Hand is responsible for morning and evening feeding and mucking duties. Both positions are paid staff positions. Please contact Pam Berry at hwhoperations@gmail.com or 928-899-4759 for more info on these crucial positions.

 7th Annual Have a Heart Barrel Race & Poles

The excitement is still high for the upcoming Barrel Race in which proceeds go to Horses with Heart and its programs. If you haven’t already marked your calendar with the new date, please do now. November 19th, 2022, is the date for the Horses with Heart “Have a Heart Barrel Race and Poles” at Olsen’s arena in Chino Valley. Riders are ready to compete. Volunteers are anxious to help. The silent auction is full of wonderful items to win. Penny’s Place food truck will be there. It is a really fun family event. The Grand Entry is at 10:00 am with Jim Radley’s tractor and wagon carrying many of our HwH riders.  Come out to cheer the racers and show support for them and our Horses with Heart programs. For Inquiry, contact Bonnie by clicking the one of the buttons below.

Volunteer of the Month ~ Anette Karlsson

Anette Karlsson has stepped up to many plates (or pens) at Horses with Heart since she started volunteering.  Anette is part of our Wednesday grooming team. She is very generous with her time and adds a consistent calmness to our days, the other volunteers, and the herd. She is modest, kind, and hard-working, and always has a smile. Anette has been keeping the horses’ stalls spit-and-polished on Sunday afternoons throughout the year and is very dedicated to it. She is also one of our feeders, coming in even at a moment’s notice to help out. She can be relied on to pick up any duty that we ask of her. Anette is truly an exceptional Volunteer of the Month!

Q & A

1.     How long have you been with Horses with Heart?

About two years.

2.     Why do you volunteer at Horses with Heart?

When I moved to Prescott a few years back, I was looking for some great volunteer opportunities and was introduced to Horses with Heart by a friend.  I knew how therapeutic riding can be so beneficial to people with special needs and military veterans, and seeing how well run the facilities are, how well the horses are taken care of, and how many great people are working and volunteering has made this the best volunteer effort I have ever been involved with.  

3.     What is your favorite memory or moment at Horses with Heart? 

I have so many great memories of being around the horses and the people.  I think what will always stay with me is how positive and helpful everyone is.  The love and passion everyone has for the riders and for the horses is amazing.

4.     If you could share one thing with new volunteers, what would that be?

To get going, try different things.  There are so many opportunities so you will surely find something that fits you, your abilities, interests, and schedule.  No one expects you to be an expert when you start, so work with your mentor.

Volunteer of the Year Nomination

Who will be our Volunteer of the Year?

It’s time to nominate your choice for Horses with Heart’s Volunteer of the Year. Who best demonstrates a strong commitment to our riders, other volunteers and our programs? Who should be honored at our annual Volunteer & Donor Appreciation Event on February 4th?

Name your nominee, state how that person exemplified volunteerism at HwH this year, and email your candidate nomination by November 30th to Executive Director Angelique LeVell, or place your nomination in her folder in the office.

Please note that Volunteers of the Year for the last five years are not eligible to be nominated this year. These devoted past winners are: Mary Smith, Sherry Hoover, Bonnie Moreau, Cindy Roche, and Kris Dockum.

Horse of the Month ~ EBAY

Although he is new to our herd, EBay quickly settled in and became a favorite among both riders and volunteers. This handsome, bay Quarterhorse stands at 16.2 hands, and belongs to Carol G., who is loaning him to HwH for the season. He is very instrumental in helping Carol rehab from a recent illness. His patience and love for his owner is so evident. He stands quietly at the ramp while Carol mounts and carries her with dignity and care during her rides.

Manure Happens…

As most of you probably know, we have been hauling our manure off to a local farmer for several years. Since we were recently notified that they can no longer accept it, we are actively looking for a new location. If you happen to know of someone (farmer, rancher, vacant land owner) who might be willing to let us dump on their property, please contact Pete Sanders by clicking one of the buttons below.

If I Had Some Ponies

Horses with Heart has received several copies of the book “If I Had Some Ponies”. Here’s an excerpt from the author’s note to HwH:

I am a first-time children’s publisher. I wrote a book inspired over time. First making up rhymes for my grandchildren and later viewing wonderful posts by the individuals this book is dedicated to. This book seems to be finding an audience with children of special needs. I firmly believe there is a reason for this. First because it is a happy book. One that can be read quickly and, in a sing-song manner. More importantly there is a greater reason. During the creation of this book, a friend of mine, Christine Fouty (the illustrator), had a brother, David, who was born with Down syndrome. Christine spoke to David about this book, and shortly after she returned home, David became ill. During his illness, with the aid of his older sister and with the encouragement of Christine, this book was read to him. Multiple times he had an auditory connection to this book and it was even read during his passing. I have donated several copies of this book in memory of David Michael Fouty to Horses with Heart. Let there be a joyful connection with the active life he lived and to others out there who have similar struggles. Please present this book to whom you are encouraged to give it to.

If anyone is interested in receiving a copy of this book, please see Jan or Chelsea in the office.

COMING SOON!

Annual Sequins and Saddles Dinner and Auction, Nov. 12, 2022, at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, doors open at 4:30 pm.

Angelique has done a wonderful job working with sponsors for this event. Sponsorship includes seating; so, OPEN TICKETS ARE LIMITED again this year- what a wonderful problem to have!  (As of today, there are only two tickets left.) Get your tickets quickly. Tickets can be purchased via cash, check, or credit card (there is a 5% surcharge for credit card purchase).  The ticket price is $100.00 per person. Office: 928-533-9178 or hwhexecdir@gmail.com

We are still in need of auction items. For donation ideas, please go to our wish list through Amazon.  Items can be sent directly to the HwH office or to Horses with Heart, 852 N. Sycamore Vista Drive, Chino Valley AZ 86323.

Other donations, such as hotel stays, jeep tours, time shares are great ideas as well. This year, we will be creating Bourbon, Wine, and Tequila Baskets, so donations towards those would be greatly appreciated.  If you know business owners who might like to donate, connect with them, or let me know and I’ll contact them.

A special thanks to those who have committed to be a Sponsor to date:

Diamond:  Mike and Lee Cohn, Lisa and Zip Lucidi, Safeway/Albertsons, Henry and Donna Block, Prescott Animal Hospital, Celtic Windmill Trucking, Findlay Subaru, Blind Brothers Arizona, Drill Tech, Anonymous

Gold: Helen Collins, Tonia Fortner, Members of HwH Board, Robert Davis

Silver: Frontier Financial of Arizona, Farmers Insurance - Jeff Champ Agency, Craig and Sandra Brown

Bronze: Bob's Complete Auto Repair, Fancy That, Sands Realty, Quality Trailers, All Natural Marj, Otwell Associates Architects, High Desert Buildings and Barns, Styles by Kathy, Jan Grise and Sue Jordan, Barrett Propane, American Barn Company, Stazenski Construction

Turquoise: National Snaffle Bit Association, Arizona Quarter Horse Association, W & C Marketing, Arizona Horse Connection, Olsen's Grain, Chino Heating and Cooling, Dr. Jeff Stires, St. Michael's, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Chino Glass

Other donations, such as hotel stays, jeep tours, time shares are great ideas as well. This year, we will be creating Bourbon, Wine, and Tequila Baskets, so donations towards those would be great.  If you know business owners who might like to donate, connect with them, or let Debi know and I’ll contact them.

2022 Heroes on Horses

Heroes on Horses

Our Veterans are all invited to participate in Heroes on Horses as a rider or marcher. Heroes on Horses is the week of March 4th at Westworld in Scottsdale.  This event, presented by NSBA, is during the Sun Circuit Golden Jubilee. Please contact Jan at hwhprograms@gmail.com or 928-308-1353 to reserve your spot.  Additional information is available at https://www.nsba.com/foundation-equestrians-with-disabilities

Horses with Heart 30th Anniversary

In 2023 we will be celebrating our 30th anniversary!  We are currently planning our big party for June 24th in the arena at Horses with Heart.  We’re planning dinner, along with dancing in the dirt, and we’re bringing back the Pie Auction! This event is to celebrate where we have been and where we’re heading. 

Do you have pictures from the past? Recent pictures?  Please share them, use the camera on your phone, snap a clear shot and forward Debi by clicking the button below. Your photos may be used in some form during the year. Thank you!

Session 4 Update

Our last riding session of the year will be wrapping up this month.  It is heartwarming to see our riders reach so many milestones and then some.  The smiles and horse hugs speak loudly.  The miracles we see each day are too numerous to count.

As we close out 2022, we are now looking forward to the new year and already making plans.  Please contact Jan Grise, Program Director, if you are interested in riding in 2023.

Wranglr Hours Due

All volunteer hours for 2022 must be entered into Wranglr by November 30th. These hours are important to us for many reasons: they help us receive grants and donations, and they give volunteers benefits- like bidding power at our Wranglr luncheon on December 5th, as well as recognition at our Donor and Volunteer Appreciation event on February 4th. If you need assistance getting hours entered into Wranglr, please stop by the office and Jan or Chelsea will be happy to assist you.

Volunteer/ Wranglr Hours Luncheon

Volunteers, please join us for our Wranglr hour event happening at 11:30 am on December 5th at Grace Church in Chino Valley! The cost for this lunch is $20, and meal choices are manicotti with bread and salad, lasagna with bread and salad, or grilled chicken salad with bread. Drinks and dessert will be included. Make sure that your Wranglr hours are entered by November 30th so that you can participate in our auction. We will also be holding a fun, holiday gift exchange. If you are interested in participating, please bring a wrapped gift under $20.

Please RSVP by either emailing or calling Chelsea with your meal choice and $20 payment by November 21st.

Gas Card

Our September winner of the $25 gas card was Ron Bowen. Congratulations! The October winner will be announced on November 1st.

Please put your new ticket in for November’s drawing starting on November 1st. (Please, only one ticket per month.) The container and tickets are on the volunteer shelf in the office.

Where to Find HwH News?

 

Around Our Center
(aka Pam’s Pet Peeves)

I know I'm enjoying the beautiful fall days and I hope you are too.  But now that the cooler weather has arrived, it's time to prepare for winter.  One of our biggest challenges when the temperatures drop is watering the horses through frozen hoses- it just doesn't work very well!  To keep the hoses from freezing we need to make sure they drain well after each use.  Let's start now and get into the habit of disconnecting the hoses from the faucets and opening the valve on the other end before looping them on the hose rack.  Thanks again for all the love and care that you give our herd.

Calendar of Events

  • November 12 ~ Sequins and Saddles, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, 4:30 pm

  • November 19 ~ 7th Annual Have a Heart Barrel Race, Olsen’s Arena, Chino Valley, Grand Entry 10:00 am

  • November 24-27 ~ HwH Office is closed

  • November 30 ~ Volunteer of the Year nominations due

  • November 30 ~ Deadline to enter all 2022 volunteer hours in Wranglr

  • December 5 ~ Volunteer/Wranglr Hours Event and Christmas Luncheon, Grace Church, Chino Valley, 11:30 am

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.

2023 Fun-a-Thon

Our 2023 February Fundraiser is a Fun-a-thon (previously the Bowl-a-thon). Therapeutic riders can fund their riding costs by having fun gathering pledges and playing fun games, eating fun food, and a fun auction.  AND the fun is not limited to our Therapeutic Riders.  One and all can participate in giving or gathering pledges and having a great time at the Fun-a-thon.  

Would you like to help?  We will be setting up a committee to plan a few hours of fun to play games, be competitive, eat good food, and bid on some great auction items with friends and family.  If you are interested in being on this committee, please contact, Debi Covington at  Debic_hwh@hotmail.com.

Remember: this event is for our riders and volunteers to work with friends, family, businesses etc., to raise money to offset the cost of therapeutic riding lesson or benefit HwH general funds.  So, let’s get out there and raise funds to ride!