.:EQUUS:.

As a Christian who’s in love with horses, I’m always keen to read and hear about equine ministries around the world.  And even more eager to see the day when mine comes to fruition!  Although I still have a lot to learn and achieve before setting up my dream, I’m sure there are people out there with a dream in mind that are ready to start - they’re just lacking the funds.

Now I say ‘just’ because this is an obstacle that can be overcome - and sometimes by others rather than yourself.  On LightFM they’ve been advertising of late the $100,000 giveaway by Mission Travel.

The gist?  “Missiontravel.com.au will be giving away $100,000 to Christian individuals, churches and ministries nationwide. We want to know how you would like to serve God and how a grant could make that happen. The $100,000 is available in $5,000 and $10,000 Overseas Experiences, Bible College Scholarships and Cash Grants.”

“But where do the horses come into it, Christine?” I hear you ask.  Well, if you’re one who has a heart for reaching people through horses and are dreaming of running your own equine ministry, that’s where they come into it!  For those who have the plan but are just lacking the funds to get started, consider applying for the $10,000 or $5,000 grant for a ministry group or individual.

What you’ll need to tell them about if applying for an individual grant:

• What you plan on using the funds for and what you plan to achieve on account of receiving the funds
• How would you ensure that the use of your funds remain sustainable in furthering God’s kingdom?
• Provide a simple budget overview to show how the funds would be used.
• Provide a simple timeline to demonstrate when the grant will be used in each quarter, to be completed by the end of 2011.
• Please share anything else that we should be aware of when considering your application. (250 words or less)

What you’ll need to tell them about if applying for a group ministry grant:

• Describe your organisation.
• Briefly outline the mission and vision of your organisation.
• How would you use this cash grant?
• What are 3 main outcomes you hope to achieve from the funds?
• How would you ensure that the use of your funds remain sustainable in furthering God’s kingdom?
• Provide a simple budget overview to show how the funds would be used.
• Provide a simple timeline to demonstrate when the grant will be used in each quarter, to be completed by the end of 2011.
• Please share anything else that we should be aware of when considering your application. (250 words or less)

Applications close Monday 21st of June.  Perhaps you’re looking at that date and thinking - but I haven’t enough time to document all of that to apply!

Maybe not.  But, have you considered doing it anyway?  The best way to achieve a dream, goal or plan is to document what you need to do and how you’re going to get there.  This is the first year that Mission Travel have offered these funds to kick start other ministries.  I doubt it’ll be the last.

“Forewarned is forearmed” - make sure you’re prepared for another opportunity like this when it comes knocking!

“I used to have money, now I have horses.”

tag: equine ministry, horse goals, travel, christian ministry

I was watching the races at lunchtime the other day at work and jockey Pat Day was being interviewed. Now excuse my ignorance (especially as someone who works on a place that breeds racehorses!) but I had no idea who Pat Day was.

As a horse obsessed Christian, I only really started paying attention when it was mentioned that he was visiting and advocating chaplaincy work at racetracks and specifically for jockeys.

My ears pricked at the idea of another horse related job/ministry – what a great idea!

http://www.racetrackchaplaincy.org/ - US
The US based chaplaincy provides information regarding ministry planting, eager to help similar programs become established.

“RTCA views fulfilling Christ’s Great Commission as a mandate to take Christ and His love in action to every horse racetrack/training and breeding center throughout the world’s Backstretch Global Village. But we cannot do it alone. If you are interested in establishing a ministry at a horse track or training/breeding center in your area please call us at (310) 419-1640 or drop us an e-mail at rtca@sbcglobal.net. We would be honored to assist.”

Perhaps if your interest lies in this area of horses and ministry, it may be worth contacting them.

http://www.scorechaplaincy.org.uk/CMSPro/20/index.php - UK link.
http://arcc.wattsaname.com/index.php - Australian link.

“Feeling down?  Saddle up!”

Tag: equine ministry, horse goals

Calling all potential volunteers!

I volunteered at Equitana last year and had an absolute ball with things being very well organised by the volunteer coordinator Leasa Stephen.  She’s at it again, this time working with the volunteers in the area of Spectator Management during cross country day at Werribee.

I received an email from her today chasing up extra hands to help out with volunteering in this area, so if this may be you check out http://www.m3de.com.au/volunteers.php.

It’s next Sunday (June 7) so decide quickly!

“It is a full on day being right in the thick of the Cross Country Action. Our job is to make sure the crowds keep away from the galloping horses!!! And yep, you WILL get to see the course in action from the best seat in the house…”

For those of you free, consider the benefits of volunteering for this horse event if:
- You want to get into event management
- It appeals to you to acquire more horsey contacts
- You like the idea of having the best seat in the house at such an event
- You want to get a feel for volunteering with regards to something horsey

“There is something about jumping a horse over a fence, something that makes you feel good. Perhaps it’s the risk, the gamble. In any event it’s a thing I need.” - William Faulkner

Tag: werribee equestrian centre, melbourne 3day event, volunteer with horses, cross country

Feed a man today; he goes hungry tomorrow.  Teach a man to fish; feed him then, for life.

I thought it the coolest thing last year that with my earned points on my credit card, I could purchase a goat as this was offered as one of the reward points choices.  Why would I want a goat?

The card is a World Vision card where a small percentage of the amount I spend on the card is donated to World Vision.  This was appealing when looking into what sort of credit card I would get.  But all the better that it accumulates points and with these I can do further shopping.

World Vision are linked in with my credit card provider and for a particular number of points, I could purchase and donate a goat to a poverty stricken community, positively impacting a family and community over the long term.  Giving money through the use of my credit card is a short term answer, providing an animal that produces milk and can generate an income is a long term solution.

If something from my routine can benefit another (like the use of my credit card) then I’m all for it!  But where do the horses come into it, you ask?

The Gambia Horse and Donkey Trust “was established to reduce rural poverty by increasing productivity of working horses and donkeys through animal welfare and management education.” It seems the donkeys have already been provided and are making a massive difference in the income of their owners, but their state of being is questionable.

The Gambia Trust is planning to hold a couple of shows in November with the aim to reward those who take good care of their donkeys and make available education and resources to continue to do so.

“The classes were initially judged purely on condition and handling, but we are also gradually including conformation in an attempt to encourage selective breeding.”

The shows have been a big hit, helping to alleviate ignorance with regards to care of horses and donkeys and provide a place for the community to sell food and beverages to visitors from further afield.

The Gambia Trust also provides basic veterinary care at their centre and mobile clinics at local markets.  Training is also provided in schools, at college level and to farmer groups.  On top of this, the centre is also being used for harness makers to improve on what is currently being used and the training of farriers.

Volunteers from the UK come out to help judge, organise and steward these events that aim to make such an impact.  Perhaps the idea of helping out here is slowly forming?

“A horse doesn’t care how much you know until he knows how much you care.” - Pat Parelli

Tag: equine education, horse health, volunteer with horses, donkey welfare, gambia trust

I’m rather becoming fond of working part time as a clerk in a hospital and seem to be finding out more about horse related careers than I do when on the stud!  The latest is Hippotherapy which combines horse riding (generally with the help of the ingenious setup that is Riding for the Disabled) and the likes of a trained therapist (occupation, physical and speech).

The particular fact sheet provided to me was put together in conjunction with Pegasus, Riding for the Disabled of ACT.  Hippotherapy works to improve the client’s balance, function, posture and mobility through the use of a horse’s movement.  The movement of the horse is used to influence the client rather than the other way around.

“In the beginning we were woefully ignorant of the implications of the rider’s disabilities – we just had to ‘suck it and see’”.

However, on the first afternoon at Forrest Park, she recalls that a young girl who was usually wheelchair bound, rode under a tree and reached up to touch the leaves.

Suddenly the girl shouted “I can touch them! They are so soft!”

As joy and tears transformed the girl’s face, Bid was hooked forever and riding for the disabled was born in Canberra.

Want to know more?  Take a look at Pegasus’ Hippotherapy Fact Sheet.

A high proportion of clients have Cerebral Palsy while others have Multiple Sclerosis, a traumatic brain injury, cerebral vascular accident or functional spinal curvature such as scoliosis, kyphosis or lordosis.

For those interested in pursuing this rewarding work, take a look at the American Hippotherapy Association’s education page and related curriculum.

Links of interest:
Hippotherapy at Wikipedia.
Hippotherapy in Western Australia.
http://www.americanhippotherapyassociation.org/ - the American Hippotherapy Association.
Volunteer at Pegasus ACT - minimum age 14 years.
Hippotherapy at YouTube.

“Riding Develops Abilities.”

tag: hippotherapy, physical therapy, equine therapy, riding for the disabled, volunteer with horses