Grace Rides

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Horse ridding benefits in autism

Thankful Thursday friends. The following is borrowed from Take The Reins ministry in Mississippi - a center much like GRACE Rides here in Defuniak Springs. Read it, ponder on it, live it! And thank you to all the awesome volunteers and financial supporters that keep our GRACE Rides equine-assisted therapeutic ministry going, to serve special-needs kids and veterans in our area. ❤️🐴❤️
🐴 Daily Devotional 🐴
When the day doesn’t go as planned, living and working with horses and livestock teaches you one thing pretty quickly: never count on everything going smoothly! 😂
Animals have a way of rocking your world and rattling your peace. A fence gets torn down, equipment decides to quit, a horse gets injured, the gate mysteriously ends up open, or something happens that you never saw coming.
There are days when I make it through and think, “Lord, thank You! Not one mishap today!” And on those days, I’m grateful.
Then there are the days when everything seems to happen at once, and I feel stretched thinner than the reins on a green c**t pulling against the bit.
But that’s when I have to stop, take a breath, and remember Who is really holding the reins.
The trail of life isn't always smooth. Sometimes there are unexpected obstacles, steep hills, rough ground, and turns we never saw coming. Even in the rodeo arena, you don't always get the ride you expected. But our God is never surprised by the next turn.
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” — Philippians 4:13
And when the worry starts creeping in, God gives us another promise:
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” — Philippians 4:6
So when your day gets sideways, don't let go of your faith. Let go of the reins and let God REIGN in your life.
Bring Him the broken fence, the sick animal, the unexpected bill, the difficult relationship, the exhausting day, and every worry that's weighing you down.
You don't have to have the whole trail figured out. You just need to trust the One who already knows where the trail leads.
Lord, when life feels out of control, help me remember that You are still in control. Give me strength when I'm tired, peace when I'm anxious, and faith when I can't see what's ahead. Help me surrender my reins to You and trust You with every step of the trail. Amen. 🙏🐴
Happy trails y’all! Let go of the reins and let God REIGN in your life.

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Still looking for the right friend to join our team. ❤️🐴❤️

GRACE Rides in Defuniak Springs has a part-time paid position open for a person experienced with handling and caring for horses. Position requires availability in the mornings 3 to 4 days per week (including Saturdays), to be present for Barn Chores from 8:15 through at least about noon, and on one evening (5-6:30 or so) per week. Must be reliable, with good physical condition, and must work well with a team. If you are interested, please email us with a description of your experience and interests to [email protected]. ❤️🐴❤️

GRACE Rides has just a few class spots open for starting Fall Term. If you have a participant candidate (ages 4 years and up) with special needs (physical, cognitive, or emotional.) who may be interested, please get with us quickly to complete your application forms before the spots are gone. Contact us by call or text at 850–259–9195. ❤️🐴❤️

Horse therapy has been such a blessing for my daughter.

There’s something special about the connection between a child and a horse that is hard to explain until you experience it.

I’ve heard all kinds of incredible things about how sensitive horses are to our heartbeat, emotions and energy. What I found even more interesting is that researchers have actually measured physiological synchronization between horses and humans, including changes and similarities in heart rate patterns.

Research into equine assisted therapy is still developing, so I’m careful not to make claims that science hasn’t fully proven yet. But studies involving children with autism have reported promising improvements in areas like communication, social interaction, behavior, movement and emotional regulation.

But beyond any study, I know what I see in my own daughter.

The confidence. The connection. The focus. The calmness. The smile on her face when she gets on that horse.

Not every child will respond the same way, and I would never pretend one therapy is the answer for everyone.

I just believe in giving our kids opportunities to move, connect, experience new things and discover what brings out the best in them.

Keep exposing them to life. Keep learning. Keep believing in their potential. ❤️🐴

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My Giving Circle Grants

GRACE Rides in Defuniak Springs has a part-time paid position open for a person experienced with handling and caring for horses. Position requires availability in the mornings 3 to 4 days per week (including Saturdays), to be present for Barn Chores from 8:15 through at least about noon, and on one evening (5-6:30 or so) per week. Must be reliable, with good physical condition, and must work well with a team. If you are interested, please email us with a description of your experience and interests to [email protected]. ❤️🐴❤️