SPOTTED HORSE MINISTRIES

GROWING UP WITH HORSES

My daughter recently sent me an e-mail that explains very well why we have horses.  It was rough while my kids were growing up, but not nearly as tough as it was when I was a kid.  My mother pretty much raised us by herself.  I was a single mom for awhile as well and know the heartaches it can bring....  But enough of that.  This is about horses.

My daughter turned 30 on her last birthday.  I remember struggling to get her that very special present for her 16th birthday.  The following article explains why that gift was so important.  Amanda, this is for you!

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My daughter turned sixteen years old today; which is a milestone for most  people. Besides looking at baby photos and childhood trinkets with her, I took time to reflect on the young woman my daughter had become and the choices she would face in the future.
 
As I looked at her I could see the athlete she was, and determined woman she would soon be. I started thinking about some of the girls we knew in our town who were already pregnant, pierced in several places, hair every color under the sun, drop outs, drug addicts and on the fast track to nowhere, seeking surface identities because they had no inner self esteem. The parents of these same girls have asked me why I "waste" the money on horses so my daughter can ride. I'm told she will grow out of it, lose interest, and discover boys and all kinds of things that try to pin the current generation's "slacker" label on my child. I don't think it will happen, I think she will love and have horses all her life.
 
Because my daughter grew up with horses she has compassion. She knows that we must take special care of the very young and the very old. We must make sure those without voices to speak of their pain are still cared for.
 
Because my daughter grew up with horses she learned responsibility for others than herself. She learned that regardless of the weather you must still care for those. There are no "days off" just because you don't feel like being a horse owner that day. She learned that for every hour of fun you have there are days of hard slogging work you must do first.
 
Because my daughter grew up with horses she learned not to be afraid of getting dirty and that appearances don't matter to most of the breathing things in the world we live in.
 
Because my daughter grew up with horses she learned about sex and how it can both enrich and complicate lives. She learned that it only takes one time to produce a baby, and the only way to ensure babies aren't produced   is not to breed. She learned how sleepless nights and trying to out-smart a crafty old broodmare could result in getting to see, as non-horse owning people rarely do, the
birth of a true miracle.
 
Because my daughter grew up with horses she understands the value of money. Every dollar can be translated into bales of hay, bags of feed or Ferrier visits.
 
Because my daughter grew up with horses she has learned to learn on her own. She has had teachers that cannot speak, nor write, nor communicate beyond body language and reactions. She has had to learn to "read" her surroundings for both safe and unsafe objects, to look for hazards where others might only see a pretty meadow. She has learned to judge people as she judges horses.
 
Because my daughter grew up with horses she has learned sportsmanship to a high degree. Everyone that competes fairly is a winner. She has also learned that some people will do anything to
win, regard-less of who it hurts. She knows that those who will cheat in the show ring will also cheat in every other aspect of their life and are not to be trusted.
 
Because my daughter grew up with horses she has self-esteem and an engaging personality. She can talk to anyone she meets with confidence, because she has to express herself to her horse with more than words.
 
When I look at what she has learned and what it will help her become, I can honestly say that I haven't "wasted" a penny on providing her with horses. I only wish that all children had the same opportunities to learn these lessons from horses before setting out on the road to adulthood.
 

Author Unknown

Women's Trail Ride

Thanks and many cudos to Roger and Pat Felix, who kept us well fed.  Not many people get a gourmet meal, complete with waiters, camping and on a trail ride.   Thanks to the waiters, Rodney and Josh Reisinger, and Ray Trissel.  The weekend was wonderful.  The weather was warm and pleasant, until Sunday morning.  Then the rain hit and we didn't get to ride.  We made new friends and learned about being His princess.

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IS IT TIME YET?

Grace Temple  Terre Haute, IN

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2009 saw several additions to our team.  We have mentioned both Rodney and Josh, but who could forget the other Reisinger....  Trina.  She is rapidly becoming the one person who seems to understand my chaotic thinking!  And that is no easy task!  But then again, we are both nurses!

In 2009, Trina graduated from nursing school, passed her state boards, overcame her fear of heights enough to even get on a horse, learned the basics, went on her first trail ride, came off and got back on, and has helped teach at several events.  Thanks and welcome aboard, Trina!

Amanda and Bird (Left)

Bird was Amanda's 16th Birthday present.  We lost him in early 2007 after an injury similar to Barbaro.

Now she's all grown up!  She married her 4-H horse buddy in 2008.  When anyone asked Greg why he stayed in 4-H horse project, he would tell them that was where the best girls were.  Guess we did something right!

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Faith Outreach Church Kids

OTHER NEWS

 Rodney Reisinger is one of the stars of the whole summer.  Rodney voluntered his time for every event that we have sponsered.  He has a heart for working with both kids and horses.  So, when he asked for the opportunity to work with one of our young horses to see whether or not he would be able to break her to ride, how could we say no?

Now, Rodney didn't pick a young horse that would be easy.  He picked Why Not Go Kascade, who had a ruputation of being hard to catch and aggressive.  She would frequently bare her teeth and threaten to bite.

I guess a picture best describe the results.

Thanks, Rodney!  Great job!

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2009 saw the addition of our own rodeo clown, Jellybean, AKA Josh Reisinger.   Josh came kicking and screaming to bible School Horse Camp in 2008, only because we promised him a birthday cake.  Well, we haven't been able to get rid of him yet~!  Not that we would want to.  Josh is another wonderful addition to our ministry team.... He has taught several Bible School lessons and is one of me best assistants during the riding courses.  While in Shelbyville last summer, Josh received his callin to ministry and plans to be a preacher when he grows up.....  At 15, he has already preached twice on Wednesday evening services at Grace Temple.  Also while in Shelbyville, he created his rodeo clown character and, no surprise to most of us that know him, is pretty good at "clowning around!"

 June 5, 2011

The past year has been one to remember.  I underwent 2 major surgeries plus another minor injury.  When we said we wanted to learn and teach about Spiritual Warfare and the Armor of God, we had no idea how much that would become part of our daily lives!

Satan sent hords of his minions to attack me, my team, and my family.  Once again, God reigned victorious and we have very personal experience to help teach with.  Just ask any one of us and we will gladly sit down and fill you in!

Keep us in your prayers as we embark upon this summer's schedule.

Thank you and be blessed!

 Renetta