White Horse Youth Ranch (WHY Ranch) Celebrates Five Years Helping Our Socially-Challenged Youth

Online, September 16, 2012 (Newswire.com) - White Horse Youth Ranch (WHY Ranch) Celebrates Five Years Helping Our Socially-Challenged Youth

Did you know we have a FREE youth horsemanship program right here in Vegas?

WHY Ranch (whyranch.org) partners one child with one horse to help them build their self esteem, develop a sense of responsibility, honesty and respect - and is delighted to celebrate a full five years in operation, entering year six with this current intake of students.

"WHY Ranch started as a dream many, many years ago," commented Amy Meyer, Founder and President of WHY Ranch, "and this dream became a reality in 2007 with a one-time grant from a Foundation set up in honor of my grandparents."

Since 2007, WHY Ranch has been helping restore hope and providing emotional healing to youth in Las Vegas largely through donations and the wonderful support of volunteers.

"The change we see in the children is nothing short of remarkable," said Ms Meyer. "Like many people, I had significant challenges when I was growing up, so I can really relate to these students, and it warms my heart to see how far they come during the program, and how much they grow as people."

"I witnessed an extraordinary thing at one of the 'Diamonds in the Rough' Cowboy Trail Ride sessions," added Adrian Leon, a Board Member at WHY Ranch.

"At the beginning of each class the students are given a halter and lead rope with a horse's name on it. They must find that single horse among many in the horse pen and buckle the halter over its head. Then they must lead it, tie it to the fence and brush it to prep for the day's activity.

"One morning I noticed Hope, a delicate little girl of about ten, making her way slowly, carefully through the field of about thirty horses. She had spotted Beauty, one of the biggest, most powerful horses in the pen. But every time Hope drew near, Beauty would quickly bolt away in a stunning display of raw animal power. Hope, without discouragement, would patiently wait for Beauty to settle down and then proceed to make her way towards Beauty once again. This continued for what seemed an age. Each time Hope would manage to get closer than before and each time Beauty would challenge Hope's patience and make a run for it. Uncle Manny, one of the seasoned wranglers, softly coached Hope by advising her to make subtle changes in her body language and angle of approach. Hope applied these changes and kept trying.

"Finally... amidst the clamor of wind, rattling chains, barking dogs and uproar of adults, kids and horses working together, Hope and Beauty finally shared a quiet moment of understanding and trust. I saw Hope gently place the halter over Beauty's head and perform her assigned tasks. It would have been easy to miss the communication that took place between Hope and Beauty that day, but I am grateful that I witnessed it. I imagine that Hope will apply that same resolute and silent persistence she has learned at White Horse Youth Ranch to other important areas such as schoolwork, career and all of life's obstacles both big and small. But I am especially grateful because when I am feeling impatient or discouraged all I need to think of is that little girl and the big horse she managed to befriend."

The beauty of the Diamonds in the Rough program is that all children are on an equal playing field when they enter this world called "horse time." Horses are not aware of: schedules, pressures, gossip, expectations, pretty, ugly, poor etc. Horses only perceive how a person approaches, pets, grooms, hugs or talks to them. They are inherently instinctive animals that help heal broken hearts and minds because of their beautiful spirit and tranquility. It is only through personal experience with a horse that a person can understand the symbiotic relationship that develops. This type of program is truly God's work in action.

If you would like to learn more, go to whyranch.org or to donate, go to bit.ly/donate2whyranch

WHY Ranch is proud to be a 501c3 charitable organization - Tax ID # 20-5682991