Reins of Rhythm Riding & Horsemanship

A tax-deductible gift to Reins of Rhythm helps to write every story we see unfold on a weekly basis at Reins of Rhythm. Stories of impact and changing the lives of youth, stories of... defeat becoming victory, loneliness finding true friendship,... kids struggling with focus be 100% attentive to their horse friends, youth finding it hard to interact form an unbreakable bond with their horse, those struggling with learning challenges,, become empowered by their horse friends to achieve more than they every imagined, kids feeling hopeless discover a community of hope, healing and happiness. All this, fueled by volunteers, powered by horses and made possible in part by amazing, generous givers, people just like you! Please consider supporting Reins of Rhythm as we work hard to overcome one of the hardest 17 months our organization has ever had to face. With a loss of over 30% of our income due to Covid-19 restrictions, and so many increased costs in feed, hay and insurances it is an up-hill climb but one we know we will make with our generous community of supporters surrounding us.

A word from the other team member of the Sha and Na raffle fundraiser gals! These young ladies are so grateful for your support and Reins of Rhythm is beyond grateful for these young ladies and all their hard work and creativity in fundraising for the program and horses they love!

A BIG, huge THANK YOU to this young lady and her family for a generous donation of much needed supplies from the RoR Amazon Wishlist. We are so grateful for the paints and other fun horse art supplies, bath time and braids products, and fly repellant ointment! Thank you Amy and Takodah!!!!! Want to share a smile or lots of smiles? Please consider purchasing something off our Amazon wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2JTZ8YY1F9IWM/

One of our program families has coordinated this fundraiser - check out the details below, share the post, and schedule your appointment now for Tues, July 6th with Junior at Mr. J's!

Horses have a special energy that is uniquely theirs and which can have a profound effect on humans, especially children. They capture the imagination, inspire the heart, and bring healing balm to the soul. At Reins of Rhythm each and every day; we see our horses help a child shine when the world has dimmed their sparkle, bring a sense of peace amidst a world of chaos, ease and quiet a mind full of uncertainties, empower one who feels powerless to make a change, become a safe... harbor when their world outside is so filled with swelling storms. Youth today need this now more than ever- every gift given to Reins of Rhythm empowers us to have the opportunity to change the lives of youth with the healing power of horses. That power comes in; giving a moment of tranquility, a boost of confidence, an environment of peace, a calm in the throws of a raging storm- HOPE on horseback. The lives of our youth has been profoundly altered by the many circumstances of the past 10 months, they continue to face their own fears, uncertainties, disruptions, turmoil, stresses; all while carrying the burden of knowing and feeling the concerns and outpouring of the stresses faced by parents and caregivers during this difficult time. Our community, our nation, our world, everyone- needs peace in the raging storm, we need hope to hold on too and we need to give that lifeline of hope to our youth. Alone we can't change the world- but we can come together and we can change the world for 1 child, and then another and then another. And these children, together can ignite the sparks of change to help make tomorrow's world a little more kind, a little more calm, a little more empowered, and a lot more hope-filled. See more

Reins of Rhythm Riding & Horsemanship is 100% commited to providing a safe, comfortable and forever home for each of our horses. It is our goal to teach our youth that horses are a life time commitment. When our horses transition into retirement they are still a very valuable part of our program mission. They may deal with health issues related to aging that mean they are no longer able to give riding lessons- however, they provide our participants with invaluable lessons on... responsibility, compassion, and the moral commitment we all have to caring for those who cared for us for so long- the senior members of our team, communities, families. This commitment made by our program to our senior equine team members is a HUGE commitment, and one we don't take lightly. It is one that requires much of us in time, energy, and funds. But we would have it no other way. Our horses will always have a home with us, until their time to leave this earth has come. By choosing to give to our mission though tax-deductible donations you are helping our commitment to the best care for all our horses, young and old. You are helping us be the change we want to see in the world- a change where all animals and people are loved, cherished and selflessly provided for no matter what their age, ability, or background is. By giving to Reins of Rhythm you are making it possible for our senior horses to enjoy the life they (and every other horse) deserve; while helping to educate youth to do the same for any animal or person they are blessed to know and care for. Stories such as the one below are heartbreaking and we are so thankful there are loving rescue organizations such as Gentle Giants Draft Horse Rescue who take in those horses cast away when they are no long able to be "useful". It breaks our hearts to know rescues like this one must provide for so many "cast-aways". A gift of any amount helps us be providers for our horses and educators for our youth- together we can strive for a better tomorrow where all are loved, valued and cared for- for life. A world where rescues are not full- because the horses owners of tomorrow that we are educating will know the deep, profound responsibility of care and commitment needed to be a true friend and provider for your horse friend.

Happy Birthday Malibu! This mischievous and oh so curious, lovable boy turns 8 today! Malibu is such a playful horse and always full of ways to bring smiles and laughter. We are so thankful to have him as a part of the Reins of Rhythm team!

We have the privilege to witness communication between horses and the youth at Reins of Rhythm frequently, and here is some resesrch to show just how specific that communication from the horses can be! "Our study demonstrated that horses can not only read us, but can adopt strategies to convey our attention and actions to the desired outcome.- Rachele Malavasi This is the first study to reveal such findings in an ungulate species.... It proves that horses do not just act without consideration. Instead, they are capable of creating a mental plan to solve a specific problem. What’s more, they can also modify their communicative strategy depending on the attentional state of the receiver. Who would’ve thought!"

Merry Christmas from Reins of Rhythm!

Physical activity is important for youth: it can help children and adolescents improve cardiorespiratory fitness, build stronger bones and muscles, help control weight, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, and reduce the risk of developing health conditions such as heart disease. What better way to encourage physical activity than with horses, which easily burns 200-500 calories in an hour and engages each of the following major muscle groups (and many others) while h...elping build stronger bodies in our youth: Abdominals builds core stability Erector Spinae Group builds stability and flexibility in the spine Gluteus Maximus & Medius front to back balance of hips Hip Abductors & Adductors stabilize hips and pelvis Hip Extensors flexibility and strength Obliques important for stability and holding body upright; horseback riding encourages equal development of the muscles Pectoralis Major & Minor upper back strength, proper posture Piriformis balance in the muscles that extending and rotating hips Psoas spinal flexion and rotation Quadratus Lumborum strengthens for upright posture Scapular Stabilizers stability and strength through shoulder blades Transverse Abdominis help maintain upright posture Basketball on horseback is a riding sport and our riders will be spending some time being extra active with their horse friends as they learn about and practice this sport during a portion of the NBA season. To help make this happen, Reins of Rhythm needs a basketball hoop similar to this: https://www.amazon.com//ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_imm_t1_6ah8Fb2 If you have one no longer in use that you would be willing to donate or part with for a small cost, please let us know!

Thank you to each and everyone of you who joined us in welcoming Santa to Reins of Rhythm. It warmed our hearts and brought us great joy to know the kids enjoyed this so much. It is our hope this little event started off their Christmas season who a whole lot of merry and bright! Did you and your kiddos miss seeing Santa's visit? No worries you can catch it here! https://www.facebook.com/ReinsofRhythm/videos/448499379506431/

Reins of Rhythm is truly blessed by the loving, generous and supportive congregation at Middle Spring Presbyterian Church in Shippensburg. The results of this pandemic and all that has come along with it will be felt not just now, but in this new year too. We are truly grateful to each and every person, business, organization and church, that has made it possible for these youths to still be able to come experience and benefit from the programming and sessions Reins of Rhyt...hm offers. For many this has been their one bright light in the midst of deep darkness, their one place they feel safe in a time when there is so much fear, their constant weekly highlight in a year filled with cancellations, their beacon of hope in a world that has seemed so filled with hopelessness. We can only be that beacon of light and hope - because of the amazing and generous givers like Middle Spring Presbyterian Church. See more

Just 20 minutes until Santa arrives!