Our initiations
--to simply doing Good Work!
Our own
realization came in their own levels of understanding!
1972
--Our own teaching became quite confusing. Our students
would 'quit' riding when the founder thought she was finally getting a
'good riding student'. They left extremely happy, not that they were
leaving the lessons, but that they did not 'need' to take the lessons anymore.
We worked hard to help the student to relax, and to understand their own
behavior, and we did so for the benefit of the horse --so they would not be
unknowingly abused by the new rider. Our primary concern was to eliminate
the abuse of the horse, and to teach riders so they would know the differences
between instincts, impulses, and reactions, compared to understanding the horse,
and working 'with them'. It was difficult helping people to not feel they
had to be so 'controlling' and to develop a real relationship with
the horse. After we accomplished this huge task, they quit! My dream
was to find someone who 'really wanted to be a great rider'. This was ever
so frustrating.
1980-'82
--The confusions we faced became profound, as we went on our
deep personal search, and the search for more meaning to our work. We
asked and prayed for -"What do people need to hear? Give me the program
that can help the horse and also change lives". The Fresh Start program
was born. It was tested in different context, as in the 90 day Horse Camp
program, as our own pilot program for more understanding as to how the Fresh
Start program worked, when it was expanded. We were amazed at the
progress, and levels of understanding, that two children 6 and 7 years of age,
plus a teenager accomplished so well. It was astounding.
1983-4
---We started the 'Horse Fever' program, in Baltimore county,
just over the county line. Our business started to really catch on, and we had
full bookings. We were faced with a very difficult 'learning experience'.
Not everyone will support a good or great program. There are such things
as 'other motives' and the property owner took great privilege and pleasure
(unfortunately) after only 3 months, to inform us that we could not do
'business' anymore --at that location. There was a question about the
lease, to be sure we 'could' do business there, and the signing of the lease was
put off to the next day. Three months later, that property owner almost
laughed when he told us. This was at the end of July,1983. We had to
somehow survive without advertising (that property owner watched our every move)
and he knew that we had a 'one year' lease. His intentions were to acquire
all of our horses, and more. His family loved horses, and they had about 7
of their own. Somehow, we made our payments, and lasted through the lease
time on our own. We had previously been disappointed as the handling of a
sale of one of our horses, and payment was delayed beyond a reasonable time.
We needed those funds, badly. Due to a few bad experiences, we decided to
look into Pa. for a better location, and found a 60 acre farm that we could get
on a lease purchase or sales agreement. The Balto. County land owner did
whatever he could to ruin us. WHY? It was obvious that he did not
think a woman should be doing 'anything' without a man. He was from Iran,
if that makes a difference. We did learn about 'attitudes'.
1985-1994
---We learned many many hard lessons, one being to ALWAYS get receipts
for payment on a mortgage or lease. We were too trusting and naive, and
had no one to speak to or brainstorm with. After 8 years, we had
$10,000.00 extra in receipts that this land owner did not have.
Unfortunately, when we started in 1984, we just gave CASH payments, for almost a
year, without getting receipts! The wife lost her husband, after
only a few months of being there, and there were many 'issues' to deal with.
We tried to help, however we did finally WAKE-UP to the fact --that we had
better start getting receipts for what we gave as payment. On our journey
there, the old farm deteriorated beyond our ability to make improvements, plus
the figures were beginning to add up. Without the first years receipts, we
could not catch up to keep the farm, and it became clear as to the game plan,
that we had a serious decision to make in 1993. Is this where we need to
be? Could we get the necessary funds, by ourselves? NO! Could
we ever do all the needed repair, even though we were trying? NO!
One woman alone, can NOT do this! We gave our notice in January of 1995,
that we would be leaving the farm, just giving it back. We had very little
principle paid over the 9 years. We began our search for a more suitable
location. We learned that one state clients do not willingly or easily
cross the state line for a program. The mentality is, "but that is in xx
state". We steadily lost clients beginning as soon as we went to this
farm. What was so incredible, is we were ONLY 12 miles from our very best
location, where we hav so much business. 12 miles ONLY! A Vital
lesson. Location! Location! Location!
1993
--We were informed in November of 1993, by Dennis Darling of Harrisburg's
Human Services, that our work needs to be a non profit org, so we could 'receive
the necessary help' to make it work. It was very very difficult finding
our 'niche'. Dennis stated, "Be sure to tell everyone that you have an
'IDEALIST Program".
1995
--We began our moving process to find a better facility, that was not as
run-down as our old farm. We finally found 25 acres by the State Game Lands in
Lancaster Pa. next to 15,000 of forest. A house with 4 apartments, and other
extras. Unfortunately that owner had a heart attack two days before
signing the lease. We had already 'committed' to leaving the old
farm. We then received a phone call from a neighbor who had an old turkey
barn that could be turned into a stables. There was also a house that
could be rented.
1996
--This seemed like a good opportunity. I felt that I could get along with
anyone, and the reputation of these land owners was questionable. That
year was too bazaar to even go into detail about. I will say that we had
to get the state police to prevent harassment, and so we could get our horses
and belongings from this property. It was quite difficult being there, and
we knew that the owners were just waiting for us to make ANY mistake, so they
(too) could keep our horses, equipment etc. It was like walking on eggs
for 12 months. The balance of rent was modified to look as if we owed them
$1,700.00. Fortunately, we had all of our receipts. (A hard lesson
we learned) and the anger rose when we refused to pay any additional rent!
We were actually congratulated to have 'escaped' those premises without loosing
anything! The wife stated to me "You will never know what happened.
We will see to it that you never succeed". They were quite angry at me,
because I refused to work 'for them' and our own business would then become
theirs! We had to report our guests to them before they came on the
premise, and toward the end month, they even took our clients to ride their own
horses that were at the top of the driveway. This way they figured they
would be stripping me financially, and also starting their own business with our
clients! This is absolute truth! I made myself quite clear, when I
originally went there, that I would help them get their own business started,
since that property was beautiful for a B&B plus trail rides.
Unfortunately this turned real ugly, as I realized the treatment we were
receiving, and their intentions to take us over. I therefore refused to
give them any more information as how to handle horses, clients etc. I
just had to find 'another location ASAP! I desperately wanted to leave
before the end of the lease, but knew the legal repercussions we would have.
Again, we were congratulated on our escape by the authorities, who knew the land
owners. As soon as I did move in there, I started to hear the stories.
What had I done! We had to be somewhere, and we were promised 55 acres of
pasture. They gave us '5' acres for 22 horses!
1996-7
We found a location near York Pa. that was along the
interstate. At least, we had a location where we could get a real
grip on the non profit work. And, that we did. We were a 'Pilot
program' for Bell Socialization Services (mental health) and also The Youth
Advocate program. The experiences were extravagant. We were
applauded by the Behavioral Specialists and therapists as well as the agencies
themselves. They could not understand how we could accomplish so much in
such a short time with their own clients. The behind the scenes work
became overload! Also, that first winter was devastating! We moved
an office into and behind a 'glass wall' facing the indoor arena that had 1/3 of
the roof removed, due to a snowstorm. It was the absolute worst winter I
have ever experienced in my entire life! I actually feared for my life.
If the electric went out, I would have frozen to death. Also, being at a new
location, we lost our hay men, who could not drive their trucks beyond 10 miles.
We had to scrape for hay men. There was an amazing gentleman who did come
along to help us through that devastating winter. James! I do not
know what we would have done without him. Unfortunately the hay we
received was not good hay at all. We got over 11 tons of bad hay. We
ordered it weekly, hoping for better quality each week, without getting any
better hay. We had to depend on even having someone with a 4 wheel drive
vehicle that could deliver it through the heavy snow that seemed to fall
continually.. We had almost 60 inches of snow on the ground! I made a very
bad mistake to think that the horses had to have hay. Any hay! It
was better than NO HAY, I thought, but what would I give them?! Not true!
We did not know what to do. Daily existence during this awful
winter took its toll. We were all getting unhealthy! We just had to
last a few more weeks. Some of the horses could not handle this winter
plus the lack of quality hay, plus the several feet of snow they had to trudge
through for exercise. ^' of snow was in the indoor ring alone. They
had to walk a certain path to get water from a stream that was only 75 feet from
the barn. They were worn out. So was I, as I had hay delivered at
the top of the hill, and had to dig it out from under a foot of new snow to even
feed the horses. It was devastating!!!!!!!!! They all suffered from
this, but 4 of my dear friends, went down, very quickly. I pleaded to 'friends
who wanted my horses to please give them a home for a few months, until we could
get through this difficult time. NO! They only wanted my pprrime
horses! And they wanted to purchase them for pennies. I was introduced to
pellet feed in February, and much to my dislike for using pellet feed, it was
now necessary to give it a try. The horses needed nutrition, and grain was not
enough for them. I watched my 4 friends get worse. It was as if they
had no more strength. This winter nearly killed us all. I had called
the state police to inform them of my where-abouts in case the electric did go
off. I was really worried, but I could NOT leave my horses for a warm
place and comfort. They were and still are 'my 'family' too this day.
I had a very difficult decision to make. I could not stand to watch what
was happening. It was breaking me heart. We did have too many
horses, and I was having real difficulty just holding on a few more weeks.
I slowly did make that awful decision to have those 4 horses put down.
Each had some sort of problem, but we still used them in our program -to help
people. They did not have to even be ridden to help our clients. But
this decision had to be made. The next story is one of betrayal, and lies,
to make money for themselves. In this process the previous land owner tool
FULL wheel to 'slander us' big time, to every possible person they could learn
of that we were in contact with. Many saw through this, but some, never
asked us what happened! In fact, MOST DID NOT! We decided to just
allow this to settle, until the real truth finally comes out. It was
admitted that the slanderous lies were created to make money, and they said, it
was to take care of our horses, to give them a home with all proper care
and they would be on grass for the rest of their lives. What would you
have said. they could retire in peace, we thought! In fact they are
living in a zoo like setting, on a small paddock of dirt! They are not
used to being in such a small area. They have been free most of their
lives. Now, they just exist, and find a way to be happy with what they do
get. My heart gets sick at this! I have prayed that one day. I could
get them back. That might not be until we are all 'home'. There was
a lot more than this, when the previous owners got their hands on it.
Remember she said, "You will never know what happened. You will never
succeed". What extreme vengeance! And, with her new B&B she worked very
hard at slamming us to all that came there, with such a sob story to make me/us
look bad. I DID know what they were doing,, and our work still speaks for
itself! Absolute dedication! We would come through all this sooner
or later, and I would stay with it as long as possible, wherever it took us, in
absolute faith and belief in what was heard in 1994, just before leaving the old
farm, "Against all odds', was whispered past me, when a friend said, Rosie, I
don't know how you will pull all this off. Then that 'whisper of such
beautiful words'. Against all odds!. It was like yet another 'Test
of Faith'. During the next year there, near York, Pa. we learned so much
about the world of non profits. and the games that went on, between those with
money, and those who wanted recognition. It was a 'web' I saw before me.
I saw the master plan of some that worked together. And I met so
many 'wonderful people' that were so very honest with me. I applaud them
for their comments of courage, to inform me, so I could see the big picture.
I was even told that the reason I was having any difficulty in this area, was
because they could not fit me in a 'box'. This is true! Our work
again, speaks for itself! Now, it was becoming a real personal sacrifice
to simply stay on course. I sensed the underlying sadness of many I came
across. They knew no way to overcome what was before them. And just
how much of herself would she give,--the founder of the programs give of herself
or more? She knew inside that she would 'give it all', and that --she did,
in 1999 and 2000.
1998-1999 We
needed a larger facility with acreage for all our horses. The location
search was vital. We had to have a place where there was no mud, and a
decent riding area for our clients.
See 'the location search'
2000
--The decision was made