16 North Arena in DeLeon was filled with the clopping of hooves Saturday, Oct. 24 as horses and riders competed in drills and raised money for a worthy cause in the Morning Star Ranch Versatility Show.
Morning Star Ranch is a faithbased nonprofit organization providing equine facilitated learning to at-risk, underserved, or disadvantaged children ages 4 to 15 in Erath and surrounding counties.
Morning Star founder/director Travis Patton said they have served between 300 to 400 kids in the six years since the ministry was started.
“Some of the kids are only here for a very short time due to their circumstances,” she said. Others have found a safe place to grow for years. Patton said the second child to come to the ministry is still participating and learning at the ranch six years later. Patton said that young lady is one of many success stories and she’s enjoyed watching her confidence and skills develop.
“She barely knew what a horse was when she first came,” Patton said. “That same young lady has earned three belt buckles with us.”
She also just submitted original art for the Fort Worth Stock Show. “That’s a big deal,” Patton said. “She’s been watching deadlines and working hard.”
Patton said the act of ‘giving your heart to a horse’ provides a long list of skills to their participants.
These include confidence and riding skills but also things like hand-eye coordination and balance core strength to kids that can use them.
“We had a young lady and it took three adults to get her on a horse [at first],” Patton said. “That same young lady now climbs on bareback, there’s a real physical learning.”
Patton has also seen her riders learn anger management, accountability, responsibility, discipline, structure and safety.
TexasHealth, through a grant, has also added a free counseling office with a licensed therapist for any youth that could benefit.
She added that 48% of parents noticed an increase in communication skills after their child becomes involved, bolstered by the communication they develop with the horses they ride.
All of this is done with a foundation in faith as Morning Star cites Phillipians 4:13—”I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Saturday’s ranch horse versatility show is one of a couple planned through the year to raise funds for their day-to-day operations like horse feed, saddles and new helmets while giving adults and youth a chance to show the skills they’ve mastered and build on them.
Patton said the competitions are all based on actual skills while the trail obstacles offer an authentic ranch experience. The Saturday event had on site concessions from Busy Bees, a costumed event and buckles for winners.
Morning Star is located at 5830 CR 351. For more information, call (817) 614-8986 or visit morningstarranch.org.