Derek* struggles with anxiety. Struggles to the point of unstoppable tears. This makes it hard to feel confident, brave, and connected, and hard to engage in learning. 

When Derek started at Urban Stable his anxiety learning new skills like grooming, picking hooves, and saddling his horse, would seem to get the better of him. He would watch the instructor’s demonstrations in tears of anxiety. Derek was determined though to learn these skills. He did not want to take breaks while at the barn, but wanted to stick with it and master the tasks at hand even though it was incredibly difficult for him. 

Derek continued to show this determination to overcome and manage his anxiety so he could be a good friend to his horse. It was incredible to watch him transform over the weeks. 

Through the transformational power of his horse we watched Derek go from unstoppable tears of anxiety, to taking a friend and his teacher on a tour of the barn, telling them all about what he was learning, and watching his face truly light up with confidence and joy when he rode his horse.

Derek was so full of confidence and joy in the saddle he would hold on with one hand while he swung his free arm in the air like a cowboy about to rope a cow. The power of his relationship with his horse was amazing. He went from fearful to flying!

This is only one story of how your donations light up lives. Every youth who walks through our barn door is positively impacted by your generosity. Let’s keep making this world brighter and Light Up more Lives together!

*Name and photo changed to protect identity