Subtle Communication

Communicating with horses at Serenity Equestrian Center is full of subtle hints from both people and their horses.

(Aurora at 3 mos (Drum Gypsy cross), Kelli (shire), Joey (Drum Stallion), and Endy (Drum Stallion) visiting with guests.)

Today, I met Kelli (colored Shire) and Endy (Drum Stallion) at Kell’s stall. Kell’s new stall is at the top of the food station, isolated with Joey’s (Drum Stallion) stall. In order to help her remember her new location, I’ve been meeting her up at her stall and directing her around to the side with her stall’s open door. By the way, a few days ago, Kell showed me she preferred to enter her stall from this direction. So why not encourage her to do what feels best to her?

There was an opportunity for confusion today, since Endy was nearest Kell’s stall and I was blocking their passage. He needed to “squeeze” between me and her stall in order to continue on to his stall. Meanwhile, I intended to direct Kell to make a sharp turn behind Endy, as he continued to move forward, and go around the back side of her stall. It would be like I was directing traffic – telling the right lane to go straight and the left lane to turn right.

Of course, it was fairly simple. Our horses are quite logical and Endy prefers to go directly to his stall without any detours. Plus, Endy enjoys a good squeeze game with me – it makes him feel powerful.

As he and Kell approached, they slowed and hesitated, asking me what I wanted them to do. Here’s where the fun began. I told Endy to go on to his stall and took a small step out and toward Kell, indicating with my left hand and arm I wanted him to continue past me. While looking at Kell, I told her to turn sharp right by swinging my hand exactly like I was directing traffic.

Only one tiny glitch occurred in the operation. Aurora (Drum Gypsy cross) got caught up in Kell’s wake and followed her around Kell’s and Joe’s stalls. No biggy. Aurora likes her new stall – which used to be Kell’s – and she likes running all around while everybody is getting settled. She just kept on going around the two stalls.

However, after Ben let Endy in, he remained between Aurora and her gate. Something so small, most people don’t see such things. Aurora stood and stared at Ben, but refused to approach her stall. Even with Ben’s encouraging words, she refused to pass him in order to enter her door.

Tess and Jocelyn with friend

Thyme with Aimee and Nola

I assessed Aurora’s situation while letting Tess (shire) and Thyme (thoroughbred)  in their stalls and suggested Ben move to the far side of Aurora’s door, just in case she thought he was blocking her. As soon as he was past her door, she walked right in.

Such tiny, seemingly insignificant things are such a wonder to me. I’m grateful to have such moments in my life to ponder and enjoy.

Serenity Equestrian Center and Feathered Dream Drum Horses are family owned and run. Serenity’s “Communing With Horses” for veterans,  is not a therapeutic riding program, but focuses solely upon the emotional wellness of the visitors. Visit http://serenityec.webs.com to learn more about SEC. Proceeds from Gayla’s personal coaching at http://www.eftlady.com help support the feeding, housing, and clothing of SEC’s herd. Thank you for your interest and support!

Endy Creates His Own Games

2 yo, Drum stallion Endy, is contented, sweet natured, well mannered, and has a high play drive. He lives with his half brother (also uncut), 2 geldings (one to wrestle with and one who rules), and 5 incredibly tolerant mares. (Our herd is the subject for a book on a unique view of stallion and herd management.)

Even when Endy’s hormones double the size of his presence, and one might think he’s not paying attention or might not be willing to cooperate, he is soft and swift to respond.

Some principles that have been of great value in Endy‘s upbringing (who was born on our farm), have been to give him opportunity to be right, listening to what he’s saying, being patient, being flexible, and being creative.

Normally, I go into Endy’s round pen paneled stall to spend some private time with him and to collect his food tub – after he’s polished and played with it. One day recently, for the fun of it, I came around the backside of his stall and asked him to hand it to me. I pointed at the shallow rubber tub (upside down at the time) and said, “Endy, would you please hand me your tub”. He promptly reached down, lifted it with his teeth, and tossed it to me!

BTW – the attached photo was taken just before Endy found the helmet’s chin strap. He grabbed the strap, swung the helmet around a little and tossed it like it was a ball, to his brother, Joey.

 

Serenity Equestrian Center and Feathered Dream Drum Horses are family owned and run. Serenity’s Equine Therapy program is not a therapeutic riding school, but focuses solely upon the emotional wellness of the visitors. Visit (right click) Serenity Equestrian Center to learn more about SEC. Proceeds from Gayla’s personal coaching at EFT Lady and Prayer Lady support the feeding, housing, and clothing of SEC’s herd. Private donations also support the herd’s needs and go toward the playground and building funds. Make a Donation at PayPal. Thank you!

Endy, checking to see if this was a new kind of salt block.

Rick’s Deductive Reasoning to Distract Kelli

I’ve been installing fencing to add a few more acres of pasture. As I’ve worked, “The Trio” (formerly, “the 3 Babes” – 2 & 3 yo and 16h to 16.3 h) – Kelli and Joey, my trail blazers and Endy, who tags along when he’s in the mood – have come down to visit me, to test the lines for electricity, and to complain that they want me to extend the fence further. Ordinarily, they leave when I say, “please go somewhere else” or “step away from the lines“. However, yesterday, Kelli insisted on studying the lines for weaknesses and refused to leave. I don’t enjoy sending horses away when they‘re using they creative, inquisitive minds (even when they‘re up to no good). Well that, and I didn’t want to stop what I was doing and tromp 100 feet through the dense vegetation just to get her mind off the fence.

I had a more appealing idea – ask Rick, our herd leader, for help. We have a partnership where he occasionally steps in to help me with such issues. Rick and several of the adults had also come down to explore the new field. I called to him to please get Kelli away from the fence. He stood there for a moment looking at her. She immediately turned away from the fence to face him and firmly planted her feet, while the colts began heading toward Rick. I have often seen Rick silently (and verbally) call and patiently wait for various herd members to come join the group.

Apparently, Kelli refused to leave, so he changed tactics. Rick turned around and got everyone to run up to the big field with him – EXCEPT Kelli. She stood her ground ’til they all were out of the paddock before she gave in and putter-trotted up to join them.

Rick’s action reminded me of how we play “catch me” with the horses. He could have gone over to send her off, but that wouldn’t have been nearly as fun as drawing Kelli away in a group celebration of being healthy and alive. It was as though he said, “Come on everybody. Let’s see who can get to the big field 1^st”.

If this was just a coincidence, the timing was perfect and I still got what I wanted. As for me, I’ve watched Rick’s use of deductive reasoning many times over the years. He uses a variety of leadership tools: a nip on the neck (Joey, when he was ruthlessly pestering Kelli), a kick (once, when Venus was really, really, really bad), posturing, herding, body blocks, drawing them to come to him, and this, running away to get them to follow him. I enjoy watching him make decisions; determining who is to be disciplined and how. All this, from the gentle, 1 ton gelding who kindly rules over his mares and stallions.

 

 

Serenity Equestrian Center and Feathered Dream Drum Horses are family owned and run. Serenity’s Equine Therapy program is not a therapeutic riding school, but focuses solely upon the emotional wellness of the visitors. Visit (right click) Serenity Equestrian Center to learn more about SEC. Proceeds from Gayla’s personal coaching at EFT Lady and Prayer Lady support the feeding, housing, and clothing of SEC’s herd. Private donations also support the herd’s needs and go toward the playground and building funds. Make a Donation at PayPal. Thank you!

Endy and the Flying Attack Blanket

We’re in the middle of our 1st snow storm of the season (we’re in central NY – Cortland) and I’m taking some time listing my items of gratitude: I’ve got electricity, a heater, a toasty warm poodle – Nyla - sleeping in my lap under my keyboard <G>, the 2 trees that fell near the house caused only minor damage to the camper and to one of our tarp garages, we’ve only gotten 5 inches of snow so far, the 30 mph wind dies down every so often (so it’s not a constant roar)… {Our friends who are 2.5 hrs south of us in PA, have been without electricity for nearly 24hrs, have already gotten well over 2 feet of snow and are maintaining 5-10 degrees colder temps than us. I am VERY grateful.}

Feeding this afternoon was a 2 hr wet, windy, miserable adventure for Jocelyn and me. Yet, we had a good time, as usual. We had to blanket the 8 boned-chilled drafts while they ate in their round pen paneled stalls – exposed to the driving snow. (Thyme, the TB, already had his coat on.)

Dressing some of these guys is tiring – Rick is 17.3h and his coat is size 90 inch = a heavy winter coat that has to be hoisted up 6 feet in the air. We used the wind to our advantage – to help blow the coats onto their backs.

The single exciting moment of the day was when Joey’s 78 inch coat blew off his panel and flew nearly 10 feet in the air and landed on Endy’s head – covering his face and draped on his neck and back!!! LOL!!! Nature was certainly showing off with that stunt. Poor Endy was shocked and couldn’t figure out how to get it off his head. But he was too dignified to panic even though he hates having his eyes covered! He willingly listened to Jocelyn calmly (well, half laughingly) calling him to come to the panel nearest her. He carefully came to her and let her pull it off of him.

We made a point of laughing like it was all a game. The herd is used to this light hearted attitude and interpreted that everything was okay. What a doll – I’m so grateful he’s sensible and so very trusting of us.I’ve attached Endy’s and Joey’s pictures from last month (9/18) – wow nature has really changed in such a short amount of time. Endy is trying to undo the knots on a rope halter (his favorite thing to do — he’s with Kelli) and Joey is playing with his doggy squeak toy. They are both 2yo, 16h Drum stallions.

3yo 16.3h Kelli, who was watching Endy’s plight with me, was understandably concerned and needed a few seconds of nuzzle-cuddling with me before I could hoist her coat over her head (the chest was sewn shut and had to go over her head — you know how some of these coats with buckles refuse to stay closed…). 

I’ve attached Endy’s and Joey’s pictures from last month (9/18) – wow nature has really changed in such a short amount of time. Endy is trying to undo the knots on a rope halter (his favorite thing to do — he’s with Kelli) and Joey is playing with his doggy squeak toy. They are both 2yo, 16h Drum stallions.

 

Endy & Kelli - Endy untying the knots on the rope halter - do you see his arrow?Joey playing with his pink doggy toy - and Endy

 

Joey and Endy - Joey playing with his pink doggy toy

Serenity Equestrian Center and Feathered Dream Drum Horses are family owned and run. Serenity’s Equine Therapy program is not a therapeutic riding school, but focuses solely upon the emotional wellness of the visitors. Visit (right click)Serenity Equestrian Center to learn more about SEC. Proceeds from Gayla’s personal coaching at EFT Lady and Prayer Lady support the feeding, housing, and clothing of SEC’s herd. Private donations also support the herd’s needs and go toward the playground and building funds. Make a Donation at PayPal. Thank you!

Endy Gets Cast in His Stall

Endy was only 2 years old when he decided to lie down and roll in his stall during a particular meal. Although he started in the center of the stall, he scooted around until he rolled into one of the panels. He literally had his hind legs sticking through  the lowest bar and braced against the upright post in the center of the panel. He was stuck.

I happened to see him land and rushed over to help. Rather than following traditional training where you loop a long rope over their hind feet and pull them over, I chose to do things “my way” (as usual). Besides, this was not your typical entrapment where the legs are resting against a wall and you simply pull them over. Endy’s legs were sticking through the panel bars.

I calmly told him he was in trouble and to let me help.  He relaxed and let me lift his legs up off the bar, slide them around the upright, shove them into his tummy, and slide them under the panel. This was no job for the rope method – that is, for a horse who is willing to let you do what you want with his legs. It was so easy and quite amazing – Endy already weighed over 1000 lbs, with legs and feet nearly twice the size of our 16 hand thoroughbred. 

I’d never seen a horse get cast before. I wasn’t sure if he’d try to flail himself loose. One thing I knew, the sooner he was free, the less chance of him getting upset.  It’s all about relationship. I trusted him to cooperate and not kill me with his feet, and he trusted me to get him loose.

With Endy’s feet under the panel, he was still stuck, but much more comfortable. This time, I calmly informed him he was still in trouble and I needed help to get him out. He replied with an “ok, I‘ll take a nap” and promptly laid his head down!  With that settled, I “calmly, yet urgently” called to Ben, who was visiting with Thyme and Odella. I kept my tone calm because the herd is sensitive to our vocal inflections and  I could easily upset them, which could endanger Endy if he were to get upset.  As Ben came around Thyme’s pen, he was shocked to see Endy lying flat out in his stall. Only my tone reassured him that it wasn’t as bad as it looked.

Together, Ben and I disconnected and hoisted the panel up off of Endy. By the way, this was one of those heavy duty 6 foot tall panels – the best kind for tall drafts. As soon as we said he was free, Endy hopped up and shook the dust off and said “thanks guys, I knew you could do it”.  

What a doll. Endy was putty in my hands. Dr. Miller’s Imprinting we did during his early days and the Parelli games we’ve played with him throughout his short life, proved their immense value in this situation.

Serenity Equestrian Center and Feathered Dream Drum Horses are family owned and run. Serenity’s Equine Therapy program is not a therapeutic riding school, but focuses solely upon the emotional wellness of the visitors. Visit (right click) Serenity Equestrian Center to learn more about SEC. Proceeds from Gayla’s personal coaching at EFT Lady and Prayer Lady support the feeding, housing, and clothing of SEC’s herd. Private donations also support the herd’s needs and go toward the playground and building funds. Make a Donation at PayPal. Thank you!

Venturous Kelli

Kelli recently discovered the hole in the fence the deer had made along the west drive in the big field, adjacent to the marsh paddock. The marsh paddock lacks around 1000 feet of fencing in order for the horses to use it. So it’s currently off limits.

Although Jocelyn and I could see her as we drove down to feed, we didn’t realize Kelli was on the other side of the line. As we put everybody into their stalls, Kelli showed up outside the lower paddock 2 pasture fence. I’m glad she’s not one to get upset. She could see everybody eating. She also knew she could retrace her steps and come around through the gate. This is where horse sense can be bothersome. She preferred for us to make an opening in the fence so she could come directly through.  I agree with her – once the marsh paddock is ready for use,  I intend to also put in a gate in the paddock 2 line, just about where she was standing.

In our excitement of seeing Kelli “loose”, neither of us locked Joey’s stall door. You see, we set certain doors open and the horses go in on their own. We lock them as they get settled.  Shortly after Nyla and I drove down to see what could be done with the electric fence (it was off at this point), to let Kelli inside, Joey ran down to join us. Here’s the concern with that: Joey likes to trail blaze with Kelli, if he got out, they’d go for a tour.

So, how does one hold a 32 lb dog, step on 2 electric lines, and keep one horse inside while trying to get the other horse to come inside? Too bad Joey wasn’t the horse on the outside. He’s the limbo king and knows when the electricity is off and it‘s safe to touch the lines. He’d have come right through for me while I held the lines up. However, Kelli doesn’t trust the safety of  “off” and she was not willing to squeeze under the lines, nor was she willing to hop over them while I held them down. I ended up standing there talking to the two of them.

Soon, Joey got bored with the lack of action and went off to eat apples. Meanwhile, Kelli and I patiently visited as we waited for Jocelyn to release everybody and walk down to help us.  When Joey saw Jocelyn join me, he thundered back to “help” us. So, there I was, standing on the lines, with Nyla on one shoulder, and  Jocelyn’s Parelli carrot stick in my other hand to discourage Joey from hopping over and joining Kelli. Jocelyn masterfully set the lead around Kelli’s neck and gently, slowly talked her over the lines, one step at a time.

After we re-set the fencing, we found both Joey and Kelli waiting for us to open their stalls. Joey had not finished his meal. Once we released them, Kelli lingered with us for quite some time. She didn’t feel a need to join the others who were eating apples nearby. This was significant since she is one of the biggest apple lovers in the herd.  It felt good to be her first choice of company.

Endy, having watched all of the excitement from his stall and who had already enjoyed his apples, also joined us for some attention. Kelli, is usually greets him with a smile, was a bit possessive of us and gave him some dirty looks. Endy smiled and ignored her.

Serenity Equestrian Center and Feathered Dream Drum Horses are family owned and run. Serenity’s Equine Therapy program is not a therapeutic riding school, but focuses solely upon the emotional wellness of the visitors. Visit (right click) Serenity Equestrian Center to learn more about SEC. Proceeds from Gayla’s personal coaching at EFT Lady and Prayer Lady support the feeding, housing, and clothing of SEC’s herd. Private donations also support the herd’s needs and go toward the playground and building funds. Make a Donation at PayPal. Thank you!

Nyla with us 4 Weeks!

As of 4 weeks, Nyla has dropped 5 lbs and is getting faster and stronger every day.  She loves hunting in the woods while we check the fences.  She’s a delightful companion. Normally, she doesn’t venture out of sight, but she gave me a little fright the other day when I called her for about 30 seconds before she reappeared. (grin) I love watching her little ears flop up and down as she runs.

Nyla was with us only 2 weeks when Ben said she could sleep with us. I wondered how long it would take for him to cave in. He’s never made it past 2 wks with any of our dogs. (grin)

My favorite time with her is while I’m working at the computer. She spends hours every day sleeping in my lap while I type with the keyboard  propped on her back. Nyla’s the perfect dog for someone like me who can’t get too much puppy cuddles.

Nyla’s getting much better with “Stay”, but she still prefers to be in my arms when we’re with the horses.  The day Kelli ventured into the marsh paddock (currently off limits to the herd), Nyla refused to stay on the quad while I tried to get Kelli to come through a section of electric fence. I ended up waiting for Jocelyn to join me. I held Nyla and stood on the fencing while Jocelyn led Kelli over the lines.

Most days, Nyla prefers for me to carry her over my shoulder while I put horses in and out of their stalls. Endy and Joey like to sniff her on their way out. She’s getting better about their intense curiosity. They continue to be fascinated with her.

The other day,  one of our neighbors, Belinda drove over in search of her momma dog Emily, and 2 of her puppies. The puppies turned up under the couch, asleep! Ha! Nyla promptly hopped into the car with Belinda and began nuzzling and cuddling her. What a charmer! Nyla knows how to make everybody feel special.

Emily and Boo and Emily’s puppies are the only dogs on our side of the street and are about 700 feet from our house.  Nyla and Emily bark to each other, but they haven’t met face to face. I’m glad Nyla stays in our yard or goes up into the field. So far, she seems to understand that she’s not to walk up the long driveway toward the road.

I continue to feel deep gratitude to Lorrie for choosing our family to enjoy Nyla.

Serenity Equestrian Center and Feathered Dream Drum Horses are family owned and run. Serenity’s Equine Therapy program is not a therapeutic riding school, but focuses solely upon the emotional wellness of the visitors. Visit (right click) Serenity Equestrian Center to learn more about SEC. Proceeds from Gayla’s personal coaching at EFT Lady and Prayer Lady support the feeding, housing, and clothing of SEC’s herd. Private donations also support the herd’s needs and go toward the playground and building funds. Make a Donation at PayPal. Thank you!

Nyla’s 1st Meal with our Horses, Part 2

After dinner, the herd went to eat apples in the nearest grove. All, except for Joey and Kelli, who often hang around to visit. They had seen the foal coat on the quad and played a little with it. We had used it as a cushion for Nyla. Those 2 are amazingly observant and curious.

To my surprise, Joey left Kelli to go eat apples. Kelli had Nyla on her mind. She stayed with us, slipping in little sniffs as Nyla would allow. One time, Kelli approached from the other side of Jocelyn and reached behind her to sniff Nyla’s back. It was so cute!

Meanwhile, the 6 adults had all left and gone into paddock 3 and the big field, which has no number. Slowly, Kelli and Nyla came to a peaceful agreement and we let Nyla off the leash. At that point, Kelli wanted to eat some apples and walked off. Nyla ran behind at a safe distance and called Kelli to come play. She was clearly asking Kelli to chase her, but Kelli didn’t understand.

Next thing, we heard the sound of the 3 frightened babes running into paddock 1. The trees blocked our view. We watched to see them run up the hill, but they had stopped. That piqued our curiosity, so we called Nyla to hop on the quad. She zipped right to us, climbed onto the footwell, the kneewell (the open space between the seat and the dash), the seat, and across Jocelyn’s lap to sit down beside her. Wow – she’s a natural at farm life!

We drove into P1 to find the babes plastered against the far fence, standing and staring at us. Apparently, they had taken a stand against the scary little black dog!! Once we drove over and they saw Nyla was safely tucked in Jocelyn’s arms, they began to follow us up, out of P1. I couldn’t help but wonder how long they would have stood there had we not come over to help them.

As we slowly traveled up the paddock, Joey decided to get the sniffs in that he’d missed out on. Oh boy – he was persistent – he even trotted to keep up with us as I sped up. Nyla didn’t like his pushiness and snapped at him when I stopped in the big field. Joey didn’t mind, he was fascinated and kept on sniffing.
We finally said we had to go and began driving up the big field’s hill. Joey followed us for a little way before deciding he’d rather join the herd.

At the top of the highest point of our farm, I let Nyla down. We were too far from the horses at this point, so Nyla would be able to run without care. However, she had had enough running for the day and asked to ride. I encouraged her to hop up. She got in the kneewell and rode between my knees all the way down the hill, to the house!

Except for eating and drinking, she’s been asleep ever since she got home. Some of that time, she slept in my lap. Typing on the keyboard with a dog in your lap is not easy. I’m not using a desk these days. Nyla didn’t mind sharing my lap with the keyboard, nor did she mind the typing.
The perfect end to a perfect day!

Serenity Equestrian Center and Feathered Dream Drum Horses are family owned and run. Serenity’s Equine Therapy program is not a therapeutic riding school, but focuses solely upon the emotional wellness of the visitors. Visit (right click) Serenity Equestrian Center to learn more about SEC. Proceeds from Gayla’s personal coaching at EFT Lady and Prayer Lady support the feeding, housing, and clothing of SEC’s herd. Private donations also support the herd’s needs and go toward the playground and building funds. Make a Donation at PayPal. Thank you!

Nyla’s 1st Meal with the Horses, Part 1

I’ve been looking for nearly 2 yrs for the right dog to join our family. Nyla is settling in perfectly with us.
What fun – Nyla likes riding on the quad! For now, she sits beside Jocelyn with Jocelyn’s arm around her for support.

Jocelyn and I took her with us to feed tonight. She ran free while we prepared the meals. Then, as the herd came in to eat, we tied her in the isle between Thyme and Odella’s stalls. They are used to dogs and the frightened barking. In fact, Thyme took a moment to say hi to Nyla before he began eating.

Kelli was the 1st to dinner. Nyla’s barking scared her to a stop. When Rick passed her and said it was okay, Kelli went into her stall. Endy, stood still outside of his gate looking at Nyla and jumping in his skin with every bark. After about a dozen barks, he also went inside.

Except for Endy and Kelli, everybody else was undisturbed by Nyla. Soon Endy and Kelli relaxed, too and we began to lead Nyla around to each of the stalls to meet the horses. She bravely sniffed Odella’s and Endy’s noses, but snapped at Kelli, who was somehow scarier.

Later, Jocelyn held Nyla in her arms as she released Odella, Dorinda, and Rick from their stalls.  

Serenity Equestrian Center and Feathered Dream Drum Horses are family owned and run. Serenity’s Equine Therapy program is not a therapeutic riding school, but focuses solely upon the emotional wellness of the visitors. Visit (right click) Serenity Equestrian Center to learn more about SEC. Proceeds from Gayla’s personal coaching at EFT Lady and Prayer Lady support the feeding, housing, and clothing of SEC’s herd. Private donations also support the herd’s needs and go toward the playground and building funds. Make a Donation at PayPal. Thank you!

Nyla’s 1st Time to Meet the Horses

Big thanks and hugs to Lorrie Clark for giving 4.5 yo Nyla to us today.

Nyla’s a smidge over 15 inches tall and weighs an astounding 37 lbs. She’s sweet, friendly, cuddly and curious. Exactly the kind of dog I love to have in my life.

Nyla’s first trip into the big field yielded the attention of the herd, who happened to be napping in day camp 5 (to our surprise). Kelli and Thyme were the first to come investigate her presence. Once Nyla saw them approaching, she began to bark (not a lot – yay). This got everyone’s attention and suddenly, there were 9 big horses coming to see what the fuss was about.

At that moment, Jocelyn and I were grateful Lorrie had taught Nyla to “come”. She raced back to us and let me pick her up. The herd arrived seconds later. Thyme and Kelli insisted on getting in sniffs before Endy and Joey elbowed in.

We told them this was too much for Nyla, that we had to leave. As we turned to go, Rick came up and blocked the 3 babes from following us. He was exactly right – they also follow whatever they’re interested in. He didn’t stop Thyme, who only followed a little bit. yay.

Nyla’s 1st visit to the field yielded a safe introduction to the herd, a good roll on a dead mouse, and lots of messy rolls on some manure piles. She was quite pleased with herself and she seemed to enjoy the “sponge” bath I gave her when we got back to the house.

Serenity Equestrian Center and Feathered Dream Drum Horses are family owned and run. Serenity’s Equine Therapy program is not a therapeutic riding school, but focuses solely upon the emotional wellness of the visitors. Visit (right click) Serenity Equestrian Center to learn more about SEC. Proceeds from Gayla’s personal coaching at EFT Lady and Prayer Lady support the feeding, housing, and clothing of SEC’s herd. Private donations also support the herd’s needs and go toward the playground and building funds. Make a Donation at PayPal. Thank you!