Therapeutic riding ranch open house Saturday

Heidi McGraw of Hamlet rides Mickey at "HIS Haven Ranch," a new therapeutic riding ranch on the north side of Palisade. The ranch incorporates two types of therapy, Heidi and her husband, Kevin, say, horseback riding and spiritual guidance. Services at HIS Haven are designed for individuals -- from age five and up -- with physical, emotional, cognitive and social special needs. All services are provided on a one-on-one basis; the ranch is always looking for good "mentors" with horse skills. (Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Daily Gazette) [Click to enlarge]

PALISADE -- The new therapeutic riding ranch nestled in tall-grass pastureland along the Stinking Water Creek just north of Palisade on the highway plans a grand opening/open house Saturday, June 20.

Heidi McGraw of Hamlet welcomes visitors to riding demonstrations and supper at "HIS Haven Ranch," a horse ranch where she and her husband, Kevin, and the riding ranch's mentors will share their faith in God, their love of horses and their belief in the healing powers of both.

Tours of HIS Haven facilities, demonstrations of services and meet-and-greet the horses and staff will begin at 5 p.m. CT. Supper -- a family-style meal -- will be available for $5 per plate.

Mickey, a 19-year-old Arabian gelding, is a star at "HIS Haven Ranch," a horse ranch on the north edge of Palisade whose mission it is to minister to people challenged by physical and emotional hurdles. "God cares about each and every life. He will bring healing and purpose of one's life," says Heidi McGraw. For more information, contact McGraw at (308) 883-1077. (Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Daily Gazette) [Click to enlarge]

Joining the McGraws for their ranch's grand opening will be Jena, La., "horse whisperer" Paul Daily of "Wild Horse Ministries." Daily does not "break" a horse, he says, but "gentles" it with words and pats, until it lets him bridle, saddle and ride it - all within two hours. Daily says the Lord has given him this ability and is using him to reach people who shy away from organized religion and church.

Daily's appearance at HIS Haven Ranch is co-sponsored by the ranch and Southwest Nebraska area churches.

The McGraws feel too, that, through their horses, they can reach people struggling through life. "Troubles in life are guaranteed," Heidi believes. "How you deal with them is the key. We can take lots of life lessons from riding."

Horses -- and people -- thrive in an atmosphere of encouragement, trust, love, understanding, acceptance and praise. "As I saddle and bridle a horse, he has to know he can trust me," Heidi said. "As I groom him, I convey that love."

"I experience such a sense of freedom while I ride," she said. "When I get done riding him, if I don't groom him, I'm teaching him that he's being used," she said.

Heidi said that children, especially those with attention deficiencies, often have trouble processing the steps of a project. "They may see the final picture, but not the process," she said. Catching, grooming, saddling and bridling a horse and then riding, grooming again and feeding are steps within the horseback riding process that can help children increase and/or improve their attentiveness, she said.

Horses are very accepting animals, Heidi said. "They don't care if you're fit or fat, young or old, rich or poor," she said.

An important lesson in life is "looking beyond yourself," she said, as a rider must do with his or her horse. Even with troubles, Heidi said, God can help, He can be a guide. "He has a plan," she said. Catastrophes teach people that the important things in life are not in accumulating things, making lots of money, attaining job titles, she said. Heidi said it's important in any situation, good or bad, to ask, "What can I take from this?" and then learn from it to encourage and comfort others. Heidi quotes 2 Corinthians 1:4 -- "God comforts us so we can help others."

The services at HIS Haven Ranch, for riders from age five and up, are free of charge to the participants. Youngsters must wear helmets, and parents must sign liability waivers. Everyone must understand the inherent dangers of riding, Heidi said. All of her horses are well-trained, she said, but people must understand that not all situations -- a snake, a loud noise, a sudden movement -- are predictable or preventable. "Horses are still animals," Heidi said. "They are still a flight risk."

Having one mentor with each rider helps lessen the possibility of having problems, Heidi said.

Riders will learn the body parts of a horse, the terminology of riding, "the language of horses and riding," Heidi said. A beginning rider will start in the small ring, with the mentor holding the 10-foot lead rope attached to the halter. "They'll learn control, how to stop, how to dismount," Heidi said. With those skills mastered, the rider advances to a round pen and a 25-foot lounge/lunge line, then to reins and a small arena. "Then into the big arena, and the pasture," Heidi said. "It takes time," she said, explaining that the skill level of riders increases at different rates.

"It's a very controlled atmosphere," Heidi said. "Always one-on-one ... parents can watch."

Youth mentors can model skills for younger riders, Heidi said, demonstrating that if another young rider can do it, "I can do it too." And friendships will develop, she said. "Kids will open up while working and playing side-by-side."

Riders will learn the responsibilities associated with riding -- the grooming, feeding, taking care of saddles and halters and bridles and brushes (the "tack"), learning to talk to the animals.

"Then there's a time to give back -- helping with chores, painting fences," Heidi said. "And then play." The ranch will include a swing set and basketball goals, and a petting zoo for want-to-be riders who are cautious about horses but still want to develop a connection with animals.

Heidi emphasizes that the riding mentors are not therapists or counselors. They're similar to coaches, Heidi said, teaching skills and encouraging people. "They have no degrees," she said, "but they do possess the power of love."

The ranch will work alongside counselors and therapists, Heidi said, and will accept referrals. The ranch is not equipped to teach the severely disabled to ride, Heidi said. "We don't have that kind of training," she said.

HIS Haven services are offered at no charge to participants. It, like the McGraws' other therapeutic ranch in Minnesota, is supported by private and corporate donations.

The McGraws moved to Hamlet in July 2008, when Kevin accepted the position as associate pastor of the Hamlet Union Church. Volunteers are running the ranch in Minnesota, Heidi said, and because of support and encouragement from parishioners and friends here, they've opened a Nebraska branch of HIS Haven Ranch.

"The church is very supportive of the ministry here," Heidi said. A parishioner donated the land upon which to build the arenas, a tack building and office. "The Palisade community has also been so supportive."

"God has a plan," she said. "He will take care of it. It's a big undertaking to set up another ranch. But God called us to do this."

Heidi relies on her favorite Bible verse, Philippians 4:13 -- "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."