Horse Ministry Up, Running

The Valley Independent

By Amanda Gillooly
Monday, July 21, 2003

 

SPEERS - Bart tugged on Caitlyn Tanner's heart strings almost immediately - it was just his mild manner and obvious innate kindness.

Standing at medium height, with a black coat, Bart is blind in one eye, which wasn't a concern for Tanner, an 11-year-old Uniontown girl.

Bart is just one of 10 horses living at the Shekinah Ranch, a faith-based equestrian youth camp in Speers.

"He's very sweet and kind. He's an excellent horse," Tanner said.

Tanner, one of 10 youths participating in Shekinah's opening week of camp, said everyone learned a great deal about the mammoth beasts.

"It's fun - it's wonderful. There's been a big difference in everyone's riding," she said. "I suggest this for any kid who wants to learn how to ride a horse."

A longtime rider, Tanner fearlessly took to the saddle. A few of her cohorts, though, admitted they were terrified the first time they peered up at their four-legged friends.

"I had one of the tallest horses," said Cole McLaughlin, 12, another camper. "I was very scared because of his size."

He wasn't frightened for long, he said. His horse, Timber, was just too benevolent.

"He's calm and he's obedient and he's really good," McLaughlin said.

The fact that he was ready to jump in the saddle so soon was surprising even to him.

"I thought I was going to be afraid all week," he said.

It's that kind of change that makes all the work and wait worth it for Shekinah leaders.

"We couldn't ask for a better answer to our prayers," Director Wayne Hite said. "They came here somewhat scared and even somewhat cold to one another. We have seen growth in such a short amount of time."

The Rev. Tom Ravasio, who first envisioned the camp eight years ago and spearheaded its development, agreed.

"We have taken them from ground zero to the top of the building," he said of the children's accomplishments.

A horse-lover since he was a tot, Ravasio said that creatures serve a dual purpose at Shekinah.

For several hours each day, campers help to brush, feed, clean and ride the horses. They face a new equestrian lesson daily.

Of all the knowledge imparted to the youths, the first lesson might matter most.

"Step one is just getting these kids comfortable with the horses, and the horses comfortable with them," Ravasio said. "They have to work as a team."

He said campers might surprise parents when they move into the arena on horses - symbolic flags in tow - in a special, week-ending demonstration.

The animals help the youths to understand key principles of faith.

"We've been able to use the horses to demonstrate things about God," he said. "These kids are now eager to be open up their Bibles."

One such lesson came with the arrival of Chance, a horse that came to the ranch seemingly through divine intervention.

After abundant prayer, Ravasio said the ranch received a phone call about an abused horse in need of a good home.

Although badly emaciated, Chance was welcomed to Shekinah with open arms, proving, maybe, that his name was more than mere coincidence.

"God gives us chances, just like he gave us this horse, Chance," Hite said.

Life lessons are sandwiched into campers' busy schedules, which start early in the morning and continue until well after sundown.

One eventual goal is omnipresent: to help youths realize God's goodness, the operators believe.

"We painted that picture on Sunday afternoon and we stress it every afternoon," Ravasio said. "God loves them and has a plan for them."

The camp, which can accommodate 25 campers each week, features a swimming pool, pastures, a fishing pond and a plethora of other recreational activities.

The 21-acre site was donated to Ravasio a year ago, and the minister said community support helps it keep growing, little by little.

Three hundred tons of sand will be spread through the riding arena courtesy of one Donora-based company. Another has pledged to stock the pond with a variety of fish.

Shekinah, not unlike its very own campers, has grown a great deal in a week, creating Kodak moments all the while.

"They make memories, good ones," Hite said. "It's a life-changing experience. Their hearts are softening every day. You can see it."


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