Sun Valley Property News: March 2014 issue

New Digs, Big Dreams
words and photos by Sheridan Brett

The new stomping grounds of Swiftsure Ranch are no small thing, spreading across just over 190 acres. Acquired at auction in November of 2011 which a combination of long-time organizational savings, a large donation, and the support of a substantial loan, the ranch’s soil buzzes with new potential. The Sagebrush Equine Training Center for the Handicapped (SETCH) has finally found a forever home. Operating out of Sagebrush Arena since the 90’s, its dedicated staff and volunteers had been looking for a long-term place to expand the program. Now, the opportunities seem endless. “With this land,” Board of Directors President Leslie Benz says, “We can be one of the most unique equine therapeutic centers in the nation. The ranch offers an opportunity to use the natural setting as part of all current and developing programs, which most centers simply do not have access to. The non-profits we collaborate with (such as Higher Ground, Boise VA, and the Idaho School for the Deaf and Blind) can provide feedback for how this facility and our herd can be utilized to accomplish their goals.”

Christened with a new name, Swiftsure Ranch Equine Therapeutic Equestrian Center (SR) is already in full swing, with a wait list of potential riders and an aerate of 110 participants every week. June marks three years since the big move south to Bellevue and Swiftsure Ranch has already paid down half of its property loan. There is still a long way to go. As Executive Director Cheryl Bennett says, “Our number one goal is to eliminate the loan, followed by ensuring that we have adequate indoor space during the winter months. We’ve received a very generous grant from a local family’s foundation to cover our existing outdoor arena, which will help expand our ability to continue more lessons outside in inclement weather.” Other short-term goals include finishing the Sensory Trail (see block) and developing a camp/retreat area. With short-term ADA-compliant lodging capability, SR looks forward to hosting multi-day camps that will allow participants a deeper experience of the horse/human relationship, and how that can be used in their daily lives. 

Looking towards the future, SR has dreams that may outnumber the horses in residence. “We would like to expand our services to other traditional equine-therapy programs such as Equine-Facilitated Learning (EFL), Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy (EFP), Hippotherapy (with Physical and Occupational Therapists), Driving (which involves a specially designed cart or carriage), and Therapeutic Vaulting. We are also in the process of becoming a Premier Center with PATH Int’l (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International).” All of the instructors employed at SR are certified PATH Int’l instructors. It’s quite the mouthful, but one can imagine the possibility of expanding the existing programs to include all of these avenues to connect with horses and provide a positive esteem-building experience to riders of all abilities. One thing is for certain: Swiftsure Ranch is in for one hell of a ride. 

The annual budget of SR is over $700,000. Much of this number is met overwhelmingly by the generosity of donors and foundations. The main expenses include employing the full-time trained staff and maintaining the horses and facility. Differing from other non-profits, when the lights go off at night, SR is still caring for a number of living, breathing horses 24/7, 365 days a year. But the horses, in combination with a passionate group of employees, volunteers, and riders, are what make the magic happen! With up to 10 hours of lessons daily, SR depends on many people every day, as some riders can have four volunteers for a lesson. Volunteers are trained as horse handlers, side walkers, and assisting instructors. They walk beside the horse acting as guides and moral support. To ensure success with the new overhead, SR is using the space to their advantage. The new land and existing facility allows them to offset some costs by hosting horse shows and clinics and supporting equine-based camps for existing and new collaborations. Providing riding lessons at no charge is the core of Swiftsure’s mission. With almost half of the current participants being involved with the program for over 10 years, many have been provided long-term opportunities with progressive lesson plans and goals. 

Dubbed as one of the most lively fundraising events held in the valley, the annual Cowboy Ball in July accounts for about a third of SR’s annual budget. With amazing live music (look out for budding country star McKenna Faith to headline this summer), the legendary Willow Tree Bar cocktails, and a delectable meal from Silver Fox Catering, the evening is a gallop of a good time. And you will be treated to Sun Valley’s best western ensembles (and, yes people, we are talking fancy dresses and cowboy boots on the dance floor). Expanding their event repertoire, SR branched out on February 16th this year to try out a new event to expand awareness about the new digs and goals of SR by hosting a benefit at Whiskey Jacques complete with comedian Mike Murphy (see pictures in FLASH pg.36). 

If you’re not a big horse person, you may be wondering what makes this particular animal special in the world of healing. Brienne Mabry, Path Int’l Certified Instructor & Equine Manager at SR, has a big heart and an even bigger passion for equine therapy. Growing up in Alaska, where her mother started this country’s first therapeutic riding program, she experienced the transformative quality of building a relationship with horses from a young age. In 2003, she was the coach for the United States Special Olympics Equestrian Team that traveled to Dublin, Ireland, for the World Games. Landing in Sun Valley (where her parents spent their honeymoon), rienne has secured that rare place where your work and heart align. She shares why hoses are that special creature: “I believe the most powerful gift the horse gives us is the feeling that we matter, that we are valuable. Horses give this gift to everyone, however not everyone recognizes it. What many humans fail to recognize is that horses don’t have to allow us to do any of the things we frequently ask of them. That that allow themselves to be controlled by us, put to work, kept in a lifestyle unnatural to them and are expected to ‘be good’ through it all, is not so much a victory for us as it is a testament to their beautiful nature. Every magical moment between a horse and human stems from this most basic transfer of trust and relinquishment of self. This relationship between participant and horse, and the mutual recognition of the others’ worth, plants the seed for fulfillment of goals and dreams down the line, and is the foundation for the grace we experience daily at Swiftsure Ranch.”

And if you are more of a concrete thinker, the cognitive benefits of equine-assisted riding are self-evident: besides increasing core strength and balance, riding promotes cognitive sequencing, motor planning, memory, and some studies even show increased brain plasticity. 

One new element at Swifsture is the Sensory Trail for riders. Winding paths using various materials in stations that mix natural features like sand and water with objects such as gongs and pool noodles. The trail is designed to enhance cognitive and/or fine and gross motor skills while on horseback. “By utilizing stations designed to arouse a specific sense,” says Brienne, “our sensory trail individually challenges participants, encouraging them to interact with their environment. The horse’s gait actually shifts with varying terrain, so the rider receives even more input and challenge to their balance and coordination.”

Swiftsure Ranch Therapeutic Equestrian Center
114 Calypso Lane, Bellevue ID 208.578.9111
www.swiftsureranch.org