Grooming Confidence

Seeds of Hope Youth Ranch gears up for another season of offering free horseback lessons

by Beverly Godfrey

Onthe surface, visitors may see bales of hay, hear the whinnies of horses, and perhaps whiff those smells so closely associated with barnyards.

But look closer, and visitors to Seeds of Hope Youth Ranch will witness things that go much deeper.

Like pride in a girl’s voice after she overcomes her fear.

Or confidence displayed through strong posture and a firm voice.

Or love welling in a boy’s eyes as he cares for a creature 15 times his size.

Reaching out to kids through the love of horses has been the mission for founders Russ and Wendy Krook for 14 years. They currently provide a home for 28 horses, 19 of which are used to give children free riding lessons.

For the past four years, the ranch has enjoyed a spacious 70 acres that was donated by an anonymous benefactor. The property, at 3974 W. Pioneer Road, nine miles north of Duluth, allows room for outdoor and indoor arenas, and includes hills where they can grow hay.

“This was a big, huge miracle,” Wendy said of the new space.

Over the years, Wendy estimated that 900 children have learned to ride horses through Seeds of Hope, which is an important part of the couple’s faith.

“We do pray,” Wendy said. “We don’t force it on anybody, though. We trust God that he’s in charge of this, and it is his ranch.”

Along with those hundreds of children, Wendy said she has learned some lessons as well.

“I’ve learned how amazing the horses are, and how sensitive,” she said. “They know what you know; they know what you don’t know. They’re very gracious with the kids and us, and very willing to give rides and put up with kids.”

While some children are learning to ride, older, more experienced ones are learning to teach. Lydia Herbert, 16, and Natty Mallett, 15, both Duluth homeschool students, started at the ranch as young students and now teach children, care for the horses and tend to the ranch.

Lydia started visiting Seeds of Hope when she was 5. She learned to ride and continued as a junior volunteer at age 10. She started spending full days at the ranch, doing chores and helping teach lessons.

“I really love the horses,” she said, “and I really love the kids. I love the feeling of working with the horses and developing the relationship.”

Lydia said she’s fascinated by the behavioral psychology at play when people and horses interact.

“You’re not just forcing the horse. You’re gaining their trust, gaining their confidence. They want to do what you’re asking them to do.”

Natty started taking lessons at the ranch when she was 8. She also finds a personal connection to the big animals.

“You get to have a good relationship with the horse,” she said. “If I have a bad day, they make me feel better.”

The girls’ experience has shown it’s not all about the horses, of course. They also have gained experience working with children and learning how to be effective teachers.

“There’s always different kids who learn a different way,” Natty said. “It’s challenging but it’s a lot of fun.”

To help children with different learning styles and comfort levels, the ranch includes two miniature horses that are used to pull a cart. The option comes in handy with children who are hesitant to sit on a horse. Respect for children and animals alike is built into how the ranch is run.

“If someone is scared to get on,” Wendy said, “we can take them in the cart. There’s some kids that are scared cause they’re a big animal. We don’t force any of the kids to get on.”

Wendy recalled one child who took all summer to feel comfortable enough to get on a horse. But space was still reserved in their program for that child to participate.

“We take the time it takes,” Wendy said. “The horse knows if you’re nervous or not. Sometimes the horse won’t even step because they know, ‘OK, this kid is really nervous.’ They’re really amazing animals.”

Different levels of ability and learning are something the teenage volunteers experience, too. They find satisfaction in

Continued on page 30 experiencing their own growth and education.

“I enjoy taking note of the different levels,” Natty said. “I can get in and learn certain things: ‘Let’s see how good I can remember this, let’s build up and meet a certain goal.’”

With an annual operating budget of $60,000, donations of money are always needed. The ranch also relies on grants and its two biggest fundraisers, the Hoedown Silent Auction every September, and the Pumpkin Hunt Family Fun Day, which attracted 600 people in October. Although they are fundraisers, the ranch keeps these family-oriented events affordable, charging $10 per family.

Everything has its season on the ranch, and now is the time for the horses to start getting back into shape.

“I work with the horses to get them ready, those that need a tune-up, the ones that we use during the season,” Wendy said.

She compared it to people stepping back onto the treadmill after going a while without exercising.

“Come March, we’ll start putting some miles on them,” she said.

Seeds of Hope also will have training for volunteers in

March. People don’t need experience with horses to volunteer, and those who do still must be trained by the ranch to learn its specific practices and procedures.

“We want to stay consistent, how we handle them, so the horses know what we ask them to do,” she said.

When they come for lessons, children who imagine jumping on a horse and galloping away will find more reasonable goals set before them, as safety is a priority. Students are guided through a “walk, trot, canter” process and don’t progress unless they’re ready. Whether it’s horses or children, perhaps the biggest lesson learned on the ranch is confidence.

“Confidence is huge,” Wendy said. “I’ve seen a lot of confidence. The kids, being able to ride a 1,200-pound horse by yourself, it builds a lot of confidence.”

Over the years, the ranch has acquired rescue horses, but none are being taken in currently. Those who were fortunate to find a home at Seeds of Hope enjoy being brushed and groomed by children, who perform chores in connection with each lesson. Part of the horses’ rehabilitation is a sense of purpose.

“Horses want a job,” Wendy said. “If they’re healthy and able to work, they want a job.”

Again, it’s a two-way relationship, with many students facing the same feelings.

“Sometimes they’re either going through something that’s hard and can escape by petting a horse or interacting with it because a horse will listen,” Natty said. “It’s a safe environment for everyone. It’s a form of therapy when you go to a horse and just pet them. They love you unconditionally.”

As the years pass, improvements continue to be made at the ranch. There’s a trail course children can ride on, and a “challenge course” that includes obstacles to step over or around, such as tires, a tarp, rocks, suspension bridge and barrels. The courses are enriching for the horses in that they give the animals something to do beyond the arena.

“Wendy’s always coming up with new games to play with the kids,” Natty said.

This includes Scrabble on horseback, where letters are hung on the wall, and riders must direct their horses to them, then return them to a set location.

Lydia said she has grown as a person because of her work at the ranch. People used to describe her as shy. “No so much anymore,” she said, laughing.

Lydia said caring for horses, working with children, outdoor and elementary education are all things she has considered continuing in the future, in part, because she has seen the good that can be done. She has seen children overcome fears and learn empathy. The ranch has taught children so much, she said, including herself.

“I can honestly say that working at Seeds of Hope has changed my life,” she said. D

Beverly Godfrey is a copy editor and writer for The Woman Today.