Farm Highlight - Carol
Carol riding her favorite, “THE most handsome” Worthy!
“Riding at Rainbow as a military veteran is an honor and a privilege.”
Carol, who has been volunteering at Rainbow since 2018, had the opportunity to see the other side of therapeutic horseback riding when she began riding in our military program, and she is loving every minute of it!
Carol, a Navy veteran, is a dedicated part of our community and Rainbow means a lot to her. She shares, “First and foremost, Rainbow provides a wonderful way to give back. I’ve been so blessed in my life. Now I can pay it all forward by volunteering my time to help other riders enjoy the gift of horses. Riding at Rainbow as a military veteran is an honor and a privilege.”
In turn, Rainbow is honored to provide lessons to military veterans and active duty personnel. Through the generous support of our donors, we are able to provide these lessons at no cost to the riders.
“My favorite part is connecting with the horse. I love the grooming beforehand, as it allows me to connect hands-on with the horse. I feel I’ve already established a bond of trust and kindness on the ground, so riding is the next step. I love the communication going on between horse and rider.” Like so many of our riders it is the connection with the horse that is the highlight of Carol’s time at the farm. Riders in our military program have the chance to both ride and work with their horses in the ground through grooming and leading exercises.
There is so much to learn, and Carol has been growing quickly as a rider! She has recently started cantering her favorite horse, Worthy. “[He is] THE most handsome chestnut. Worthy is so patient and understanding.”
When asked what Carol has learned at Rainbow, she states “I have learned that the life skills of patience, kindness, and trust apply just as much to horses as they do to people. I’ve gained more confidence in my riding abilities. I’ve found that the time riding is some of the most worthwhile time spent, even if it seemingly goes by in a flash.”
Way to go Carol! Thank you for being a part of our community!