“A Horse’s Tale” — As told by Miss Patch Story by Judy Walden  It was a warm afternoon in April when I met up with a young boy about half my age. This was a chance meeting; to meet yet another someone new. The boy was slender and sort of quiet. I could sense some reluctance, probably due to my sheer size. Underneath his quiet façade came a childlike curiosity and energy that made me feel young again. With each week that passed, this young one, “Nate,” grew a little more comfortable with me. At school year’s end I wondered if he would be too busy with summer activities and those electronic games to see me, but he continued, now twice a week.   “Nate” I had learned had always been extremely afraid of large animals, even dogs. Ordinary things like playing ball, making friends and tying shoes proved much more difficult for him than others his age. It’s funny in this world to think how much value is placed on the outside appearance of things when so many quiet challenges are hidden deep inside; the ones that make simple, everyday tasks come naturally to most.   I was very patient with my boy even when I sensed his frustration with knot tying and sometimes learning new skills. We have come to depend on each other and discover we had some similarities. Like myself, Nate did not like to wear shoes. He now wears riding boots and even donned his first pair of Levis with me. To many, that may not seem big news but due to overcoming sensory issues to clothing, it is big news. Our moms have even shared and shown our cowlicks.   Over late summer, my boy turned thirteen and gladly shared part of his birthday with me at the ranch. I’ve learned that I have a spot in his life that is beyond meaningful. While watching Nate’s horsemanship skills grow, my mom decided to introduce loping, but some unknown happened that shook my boy to the core. I heard tell of a ghost-like figure atop my back. This was not a good feeling for either one of us and we did not revisit this particular technique for quite a while. We took this as a setback, for up to this time, we had achieved so much together.	In October, we entered our first equestrian event. There was an uncertainty in what the experience would bring. The long waits in between events were hard, especially as the temperature climbed, trying to remember and listen to so many directions and, of course, this thing called “being a good sport” (clapping for someone you don’t know even when they might claim the prize!).   It was a long, tiring day but I looked after my boy and he, me. Together that very great October day we earned four royal blues and one apple red. Our hearts were filled with thankfulness and pride. Our spirits soared!   This had proven to be more than an equestrian event in that it was a turning point in young Nate’s life. One that made him for the first time understand that he has a gift and one that made him believe in himself. Not long after our achievements at the event, Nate requested a new chance at loping – this time, progress! Now, with his newfound confidence and my mom’s help, we loped several more times. Today, on a pristine Sunday morning, my boy and I loped together alone in the round pen. Nate, once more, had faced fear and conquered it.   I truly look forward to my time with Nate. He shows me respect and unconditional love. He always spoils me with the richest, reddest, Rome apples. Our relationship has blossomed over the months and young Nate has learned trust, patience, compassion and respect (not fear) for those much larger than himself. I can also say that Nate has taught us as well. We are an inseparable pair at the ranch and we would like to thank our mom’s, Ava and Judy, for their tutelage and dedication.
Mentoring—The Rewards Are Millions! by Teri Renaud   This past year Earth Connections received a letter from Ms. Zitlalic Romero of CSP. CSP (Community Service Program) works with juvenile offenders through the Anaheim and Costa Mesa Police Departments. The letter asked if we would be interested in giving first time offenders community service hours for working at Earth Connections. The youth choose from a list of places, so their attendance at any particular place is voluntary and more committed. We of course said yes, wanting to help before these kids get into more trouble and feel hopeless about their situation.   The chores these kids do for us are mucking stalls, cleaning tack and tack boxes, turning horses out and grooming. Horse stuff fun—mucking stalls not so fun, kind of like life. So I let the kids know it's the choices we make that can put life in one of those categories, as all choices have good and bad consequences.   But want I really want to tell you about is what a wonderful experience mentoring is. Christian (age 15) was our first young man who came to us this past October needing 50 hours of community service. Christian was quiet and pretty serious. He called and came on time, working out rides from his very busy family with many other siblings. He was polite and worked very hard. We came to know him and he is an incredible person. He has a very gentle way with horses and learned quickly. Christian knew he made a mistake and a bad choice. He now says he has changed. Christian smiles a lot now and will share more about himself. I think he feels at home with us.	But the really great thing is that he is coming back on his own to volunteer. One of our goals with this program is to have kids who complete their hours continue as peer mentors and Christian is doing just that. He is helping us with another boy of thirteen that has come to do 30 hours of community service. This gives us an opportunity to continue mentoring Christian as well and help him develop his leadership skills.   Acceptance, kindness and caring to me is what mentoring is all about. The blessings have been millions for everyone involved—the horses, the youth and us. So if you have ever thought about mentoring and wanting to help teens, we are looking for kind, accepting and caring people to talk to, but mainly listen to, some great kids wanting to make better choices.