BLANCHARDVILLE - Call it horse sense.
That's one way to describe the special connection between humans and horses at Unbridled Faith Farms, an equestrian center that focuses on helping people learn about themselves, find their voices and discover freedom.
Founder Elaine Averill and her husband Roy opened Unbridled Faith Farm about two years ago. The couple moved to the farm in rural Blanchardville 11 years ago after living in Arizona.
A lifelong equestrian, Averill had shown horses for many years and "didn't need another trophy," she said. She started searching for something different, and learned about Equine Assisted Learning on the Internet. It clicked with Averill's background: She has a bachelor's degree in psychology and has done work in women's ministry and counseling.
Equine Assisted Learning can take several forms. According to Unbridled Faith Farm's Web site, "This means that horses partner with people to create a platform to identify attitudes and behaviors that often hinder our own empowerment. At Unbridled Faith Farm, no riding is involved with EAL. Under the direction of our team's licensed, professional facilitators, the horses engage participants to live their lives with authenticity, confidence, intention and focus." The sessions can serve to help individuals, couples, youths and even corporate groups.
The horses are also involved in helping people heal themselves. Many of the people who come to the farm are victims of some types of abuse, Averill said. She herself suffered from depression and bulimia. There are people who have suffered through rape, physical or sexual abuse, incest, devastating divorces or other traumatic experiences.
Working with the horses help them find a voice and work past their fear. Averill said they do some talking, but most of the therapy comes by way of the horses.
"And we have a lot of fun," she added.
And it seems to work. After working with the horses, may women report being less depressed, sleeping better and sometimes being able to go off medication, Averill said.
Horses are uniquely suited to therapy, she said. Because horses are prey animals, they are under constant threat and are extremely sensitive to changes around them.
"They survive by reading their environment," she said.
They can detect even the most subtle changes in people's level of tension.
"They can sense it 300 yards away," she said. This forces the person working with the horse to be honest with themselves about their emotions and feelings.
Horses are also effective therapy for children with autism. Unbridled Faith hosts a biweekly program for autistic children in the area. It's a gift to the community, Averill said. She is not a licensed physical therapist and the program is offered "just for fun."
Still, the results are impressive.
One boy who has a muscular disorder in addition to autism has a hard time with muscle control and balance. "He's been here six weeks and he's sitting up in the saddle," Averill said, noting the side-to-side and front-to-back motions of a horse provide excellent physical therapy.
Another boy had trouble focusing. "You couldn't get his attention," Averill said. But when he's on the horse, he speaks in full sentences, displaying a high intelligence level.
"His mom left the first day crying," because she got to see her son in a different light, beyond the barriers of autism, Averill recalled.
Volunteers, many of them who have also sought healing at Unbridled Faith, work with the autistic children.
"It becomes a circle - what you give, you receive," she said.
There is a spiritual component at Unbridled Faith, but Averill said programs aren't "religious." They are inclusive and everyone is welcome.
"We're spiritual," she said. "We don't preach about God."
Instead, Averill said she tries to live her life in a manner that pleases God and shows her faith.
And while women in need of healing is a primary focus, everyone is welcome. There are men who come to Unbridled Faith and Averill said she appreciates the dynamic they bring.
The farm also hosts corporate training events and special events. On Thursday, June 26, the farm will host Jim Hockaday, an inspirational speaker, teacher and author. The event begins with appetizers and live music from 6 to 7 p.m. Hockaday will speak at 7 p.m. Averill said Hockaday is her mentor and has helped her realize her dream for Unbridled Faith Farm.
Averill also hosts Stable Kids, a weekly group for teens that works on building character, including personal accountability, honesty, integrity, service to others, anger management and healthy boundaries. The group is based on Steven Covey's "The Eighth Habit of Highly Successful Teens."
There's also a three-day horse camp planned next week for girls. Besides riding and learning about horses, the girls will also experience cookouts, line dancing, equine art, music and rock climbing.
The facility, set back from the road, on high ground with a spectacular view, houses 22 horses, mostly quarter, paints and warm bloods. It includes an indoor and outdoor arena, a trail course, a jumping course, low ropes obstacles and rock climbing. There's also a boutique that sells horse-related items, books and CDs.
New additions are in the works. A zip line should be ready by the end of the month. There's also a conference center and apartment under construction.
The apartment will house a full-time trainer, due to arrive in late summer. While she won't divulge the trainer's name yet, she said he is the top amateur trainer in the world and will be on staff full-time at Unbridled Faith. The addition of the trainer will allow the farm to become an international training center, she said.
And help spread its message of becoming free from fear.
"Everyone has some fear with horses," Averill said, admitting she has her own.
But she always remembers the metaphor someone once shared with her: "Fear is a mile high and a mile wide - and paper thin. Once you break through the fear, you're free," Averill said.
That includes being free from anger. While some therapy programs try to redirect anger, Averill wants victims to live without anger.
"We just get free," she said. "Unbridled."
That's one way to describe the special connection between humans and horses at Unbridled Faith Farms, an equestrian center that focuses on helping people learn about themselves, find their voices and discover freedom.
Founder Elaine Averill and her husband Roy opened Unbridled Faith Farm about two years ago. The couple moved to the farm in rural Blanchardville 11 years ago after living in Arizona.
A lifelong equestrian, Averill had shown horses for many years and "didn't need another trophy," she said. She started searching for something different, and learned about Equine Assisted Learning on the Internet. It clicked with Averill's background: She has a bachelor's degree in psychology and has done work in women's ministry and counseling.
Equine Assisted Learning can take several forms. According to Unbridled Faith Farm's Web site, "This means that horses partner with people to create a platform to identify attitudes and behaviors that often hinder our own empowerment. At Unbridled Faith Farm, no riding is involved with EAL. Under the direction of our team's licensed, professional facilitators, the horses engage participants to live their lives with authenticity, confidence, intention and focus." The sessions can serve to help individuals, couples, youths and even corporate groups.
The horses are also involved in helping people heal themselves. Many of the people who come to the farm are victims of some types of abuse, Averill said. She herself suffered from depression and bulimia. There are people who have suffered through rape, physical or sexual abuse, incest, devastating divorces or other traumatic experiences.
Working with the horses help them find a voice and work past their fear. Averill said they do some talking, but most of the therapy comes by way of the horses.
"And we have a lot of fun," she added.
And it seems to work. After working with the horses, may women report being less depressed, sleeping better and sometimes being able to go off medication, Averill said.
Horses are uniquely suited to therapy, she said. Because horses are prey animals, they are under constant threat and are extremely sensitive to changes around them.
"They survive by reading their environment," she said.
They can detect even the most subtle changes in people's level of tension.
"They can sense it 300 yards away," she said. This forces the person working with the horse to be honest with themselves about their emotions and feelings.
Horses are also effective therapy for children with autism. Unbridled Faith hosts a biweekly program for autistic children in the area. It's a gift to the community, Averill said. She is not a licensed physical therapist and the program is offered "just for fun."
Still, the results are impressive.
One boy who has a muscular disorder in addition to autism has a hard time with muscle control and balance. "He's been here six weeks and he's sitting up in the saddle," Averill said, noting the side-to-side and front-to-back motions of a horse provide excellent physical therapy.
Another boy had trouble focusing. "You couldn't get his attention," Averill said. But when he's on the horse, he speaks in full sentences, displaying a high intelligence level.
"His mom left the first day crying," because she got to see her son in a different light, beyond the barriers of autism, Averill recalled.
Volunteers, many of them who have also sought healing at Unbridled Faith, work with the autistic children.
"It becomes a circle - what you give, you receive," she said.
There is a spiritual component at Unbridled Faith, but Averill said programs aren't "religious." They are inclusive and everyone is welcome.
"We're spiritual," she said. "We don't preach about God."
Instead, Averill said she tries to live her life in a manner that pleases God and shows her faith.
And while women in need of healing is a primary focus, everyone is welcome. There are men who come to Unbridled Faith and Averill said she appreciates the dynamic they bring.
The farm also hosts corporate training events and special events. On Thursday, June 26, the farm will host Jim Hockaday, an inspirational speaker, teacher and author. The event begins with appetizers and live music from 6 to 7 p.m. Hockaday will speak at 7 p.m. Averill said Hockaday is her mentor and has helped her realize her dream for Unbridled Faith Farm.
Averill also hosts Stable Kids, a weekly group for teens that works on building character, including personal accountability, honesty, integrity, service to others, anger management and healthy boundaries. The group is based on Steven Covey's "The Eighth Habit of Highly Successful Teens."
There's also a three-day horse camp planned next week for girls. Besides riding and learning about horses, the girls will also experience cookouts, line dancing, equine art, music and rock climbing.
The facility, set back from the road, on high ground with a spectacular view, houses 22 horses, mostly quarter, paints and warm bloods. It includes an indoor and outdoor arena, a trail course, a jumping course, low ropes obstacles and rock climbing. There's also a boutique that sells horse-related items, books and CDs.
New additions are in the works. A zip line should be ready by the end of the month. There's also a conference center and apartment under construction.
The apartment will house a full-time trainer, due to arrive in late summer. While she won't divulge the trainer's name yet, she said he is the top amateur trainer in the world and will be on staff full-time at Unbridled Faith. The addition of the trainer will allow the farm to become an international training center, she said.
And help spread its message of becoming free from fear.
"Everyone has some fear with horses," Averill said, admitting she has her own.
But she always remembers the metaphor someone once shared with her: "Fear is a mile high and a mile wide - and paper thin. Once you break through the fear, you're free," Averill said.
That includes being free from anger. While some therapy programs try to redirect anger, Averill wants victims to live without anger.
"We just get free," she said. "Unbridled."