HAPPY NEW YEAR--COME AND RIDE TODAY!


2021 and New Beginnings

As 2020, a year full of challenges and hope, comes to a close, I look back and reflect to find the ‘good’ in an extremely trying year.  Thinking back to last year at this time, none of us could have imagined the experiences we were about to face.  But face them, we have.  

The stories are hard to hear.  Many of us are concerned about the lost jobs, homes, meals; but how many of you consider the loss of nourishment for our spirit?  We, at New Beginnings, know firsthand those who look for comfort in our midst.  We have seen  
  • a child that did not speak, utter the word ‘walk’ on Oreo;   
  • a child that did not know how to trust, open their heart and trust Marco to take good care of them as they played soccer;  
  • Boots taught a timid rider how to canter and Francis continued to teach that rider how to perfect it!   
  • We have witnessed a participant so full of anger and frustration now light up the arena with their smile and laughter; 
  • Ace carrying a rider into their first canter;
  • Sabrina gently building the confidence of a fearful rider;
  • the Veterans who come to us broken and anxious experience joy and peace while participating in our ‘One Good Day’ clinics (Please see attached letter of acknowledgement);   
  • a participant so timid and afraid, grow with the confidence that only a horse can give;  
  • a rider so scarred from their past, yet looking forward to every ride on one of our horses; 
  • the confidence Fahey gave as he carried his rider through a figure eight at the canter; 

That’s where we come in.  Our Therapeutic Riding and Anxiety Support programs, WTF (Working Through Fear) is about our staff and volunteers saying, “don’t worry, we got you”!  These miracles and so many more are witnessed through the eyes of New Beginnings. 

Did you know?  Many of our school horses lead a secret life?  Besides the fabulous and famous Fahey; Marco, Oreo, Sabrina, Ian; Trigger (Thank you, Judy) and others are a few of the horses that lovingly carry our participants on their journey to reaching their highest potential in their physical and emotional health?  Personal needs don’t disappear during a pandemic.  Neither do stress, anxiety, or PTSD.  The CDC has found an increase of over 26% of mental health-related searches.  COVID 19 has impacted not only our physical health, but our mental/emotional health as well. 

This pandemic has truly limited our ability to fundraise; yet we still have expenses that need to be met.  Many programs such as ours have had to close their doors.  We are fortunate that Martha and New Traditions have been extremely gracious and generous to us through the years and especially now in these difficult financial times, by allowing us to hold our lessons on their property and also use their lesson horses.   Our goal is to rescue a few horses for our program and to become financially independent.  You can help us achieve these goals.  At this time of the year as many of you consider where to make a financial donation to a charity of your choice, won’t you please choose us?   

We promise to put your dollars to good use by supplying scholarships to families in need and to help maintain the care and health of our horses.  Checks can be dropped off at the Front Desk, or please contact Martha if you would like to donate cash or use a credit card. 

Thank you for reading this through.  Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.  I wish you all a Happy New Year, with the promise of better things to come! 

“The strongest people are not those who show strength in front of us, but those who win battles we know nothing about.”
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Mary Hensley, Founder
New Beginnings Therapeutic Riding Foundation
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Equine Assisted Activities

Therapeutic riding encompasses many equine assisted activities.  Riding, grooming, and leading horses encourages physical, cognitive and emotional advancement and helps develop social skills for those of all abilities.  The horse's natural movement replicates the human gait and riding encourages three dimensional hip rotation and movement of the spine.  This exceptional ability is beneficial not only to those with special needs, but also to anyone with mobility issues.
Photos on website courtesy of JHFUSIONPHOTOGRAPHY
Come and view the video of the Moraine Valley Recreational Therapy and Sports Recreation Students working on the Memorial Garden at Palos Hills Riding Stables, Inc.