Non-profit therapy ranch in Clovis helping kids overcome obstacles one ride at a time
CLOVIS, Calif. (KFSN) -- The Clovis Rodeo may be over but we're getting back in the saddle again. This time, it's to benefit children overcoming disabilities.
The saying "if these walls could talk" doesn't apply to the stables at Heart of the Horse Therapy Ranch. Each horseshoe mounted on the wall tells a story of success-- like Megan McKeon's.
"It's an amazing feeling-- I don't know how to describe it really."
McKeon was first introduced to the ranch when she was 12-years-old.
"I've just been coming ever since. It's really helped me emotionally," said Mckeon.
"Well, Megan was born with both legs, and her birth mom burned her so she lost her leg when she was five-months-old," Susan McKeon, Megan's mother.
Not letting her past define her future, the teen likes to surf, compete in gymnastics, even downhill skiing in her spare time. But her love is in the saddle.
"She would come home calmer than she came. It really just changed her whole emotional demeanor," said Susan.
"We were able to work with her, and let her know that not everyone is out to hurt her like the person that hurt her did," said Guy Adams, Heart of the Horse
The non-profit helps children overcome obstacles like sensory impairment, PTSD, even traumatic brain injury one ride at a time.
"A lot of it has to do with the movement of the horse, that's why we use different types of horse," said Adams.
It's once they see the reaction the growth begins.
"We stop it, and we ask for something and generally get it. Either we teach them 1-2-3, that makes the horse go, or we ask for a word," said Adams.
Adams said with 22 horses operational costs run to the tune of $180,000 per year.
"For the horses, its feed, vet services, exercises training."
On the heels of one of their biggest fundraisers's of the year, Adams said every donation counts.
The Heart of the Horse Therapy Ranch benefit concert is Thursday, May 19th.
