Sandy's Story

When I moved to Spokane in 2002 I left behind an adaptive riding and equine therapy community that I'd been involved with for over 10 years and it broke my heart. Soon I began searching for a similar program but could not find what I was looking for. Fast forward four years I found a unicorn of a horse and a core group of people who believed horses could profoundly impact the lives of people with disabilities in the Spokane community and Free Rein began to become a reality. 

In the summer of 2008 we ran our pilot program with four horses, 17 riders and 45 volunteers on a borrowed farm just south of town. In the whole big scheme of things this wasn't a small start but we managed and it rolled into a full fledged adaptive riding program. It makes me smile knowing there are a few of those riders who are still riding today. 

Over the past 18 years there have been so many beautiful and inspiring stories of riders and volunteers. Stories like Scott's, who's our most experienced rider. He'd been riding in Alaska for years before moving to Spokane, his mom found Free Rein and he began with us in the summer of 2008. He's also one of our most involved riders needing full care for all his daily needs. The amazing thing is that when Scott rides he's 100% in control of his body and his participation on the horse, there isn’t another activity that engages him so fully. I love to hear his mom talk about her joy in sidewalking with him, she says it's rare to see him truly happy like when he's on his horse. Then there's the story of Earnest who provided me with my favorite Free Rein one time event. In 2012 we were able to get Earnest back on a horse for his 102nd birthday. He'd grown up with a dad who was a horse trainer and had owned horses himself until he was in his 80s. The coolest thing was that he was still a natural, riding our big gelding Harley like no time had passed. That day was especially magical. 

In 2013 when we launched the Military Horsemanship Program I witnessed a whole new way that horses can change people’s lives for the better. One veteran that I had the privilege to work with showed me clearly what this meant.  Our regular Military Horsemanship class was cancelled for the day but he asked if he could come in and brush a horse. When the time came for him to leave he wanted to sign in/out of our attendance log as he normally would so we could get funding for his visit. I said that it wasn’t a regular visit and he explained to me that he got just as much peace and calm out of his interaction with the horse that day as he did with any other “regular” day on the ranch. Of course I let him sign the log.

These participant stories are just a drop in the bucket. I have met so many children and adults who have experience the joy of movement without their wheel chair. They are able to use their muscles in ways they are supposed to be used, developing strength, coordination and balance to help with their every day tasks. They have found calm, developed confidence, self-esteem and social skills that help them navigate interactions with others if these are areas they struggle with. One dad of a son with Autism told me that the teachers consistently noticed that the day after his son rode was always his calmest, most focused day at school. The best part is that Free Rein participants gain all these benefits while having fun, being outside and enjoying the unique experience of being with horses! 

The Free Rein community that has grown and flourished has been nurturing to all involved; participants, families, volunteers and staff. I've seen struggling teenage volunteers grow into confident, successful adults as well as Military Horsemanship participants transition to volunteer- giving them new purpose in their lives. Parents who connect and form deep bond that help them navigate the challenges of parenthood with special needs children. When we started Free Rein my hope was that a special family-like community would develop. My hope quickly became a reality and almost 18 years later that family is still near and dear to my heart. 

In 2019 I moved back to the Seattle area to be closer to our family but I have remained involved with Free Rein and I am now serving on the board of directors. I am in awe of those that are now in the trenches putting their hearts and souls into the success of Free Rein despite the challenges this industry faces. It is an ongoing struggle to be a small non-profit with such high needs, but we are proud to be providing a service which is so valuable to a population in this area that just doesn’t get enough support. Recreational opportunities in this community for individuals with disabilities are difficult to come by. Your support of Free Rein is so important so we can keep our horses fed and well cared for and work towards making sure our employees able to make a livable wage while they provide the community with such an irreplaceable service.  

We are grateful for your support!

Sandy Jones and Loki