Learning to lead a younger generation

By Kierra Reichert,
MVRU junior team member and volunteer

Kierra assisting a young rider at Little Star Horse Camp

This spring and summer, in addition to riding, I have also been helping with younger kids’ lessons.  I started working in these lessons about two years ago. It’s been a great learning experience and a way to look at my growth as a horse person and part of the ranch. When I was first starting lessons at the ranch, I was always looking up to and following the older girls. They helped me groom the horse, they led me in the lessons, they offered bits of advice and help all the time. Growing up to be one of those girls is a really special experience. I still look up to and follow the older girls who are my role models; but also being able to teach, help, and lead a younger generation in their own love of horses is in itself a learning curve and step up in horsemanship.

Through working with younger ‘horsey’ kids, it has been interesting to see each kid’s interaction with the horses. Some are bolder, and have either been around horses before or are more confident in new situations. Some are much more timid, and don’t gain their confidence until they have spent a significant amount of time around the horses. Sometimes a kid will pick out one horse that they will grow with and build their confidence around, while others like to experience many different horses, learning as they go with each new horse. It is also interesting to see how sometimes, a kid will suddenly decide they prefer a different horse after just seeing it. For instance, when I was helping with the Little Star Camp earlier in the season, I was working with a very timid, quiet little girl, who wasn’t very comfortable around horses yet. She had just come from a lesson on Ginger, who is extremely well behaved and loves little kids, and was now scheduled to ride Little Black. She brought her grooming bucket out to him, and I introduced her.  As soon as she had tentatively patted his shoulder and Annie came by and said “and look- he’s just your size!”, there was a change.  She looked at him, nodded and began grooming him quite enthusiastically. Just because Little Black was about one hand shorter than Ginger, she felt more comfortable. Each day of camp after that, she asked to see Little Black. 

Good friends: Kierra and Little Black

  This demonstrates in many lights how horses will play a big role in the development of people of all ages. Being around horses empowers and builds the confidence of people, while still posing a challenge and also awareness for another animal.  Just like the little girl, sometimes it takes time and just the right words or moments to make a change; or with others, it may happen even more gradually, just through spending time with these exquisite animals. 

Looking back on my progress, reflected in various ways in each of these young riders, it is really interesting to see how their original attitudes affect their first experience, then change, or sometimes build, through more of their time with horses. Working in the younger kids’ lessons has helped me truly understand how to work with the horse, while balancing that with the needs and ability of the rider; important skills that have helped me in my lessons.

Spotlight: Cindy Mackie

By Jasmine Minbashian, MVRU Associate Director

Cindy Mackie is as dedicated as they come. She diligently comes to the ranch every day to care for and train her horse, Willy, a six year old Haflinger gelding. Cindy and Willy are on a journey to connect her two legs and two hands to his mind and four legs - which doesn’t always prove to be an easy task. But with the help of some capable MVRU staff, Cindy and Willy have made great strides in the last three years of their partnership together. This year, they have even set their sights on participating in the Ride to Rendezvous, a four day trail adventure across the Methow.

Cindy credits Willy’s early training by Allison Wolfe and his current training with McKenna Barnes for his transformation into a skilled riding and trail horse. She also appreciates Annie’s patient observations and gentle suggestions when new tactics are needed. Cindy is such a positive presence at the ranch, that we thought she deserved a “Friend Spotlight.”

Cindy and Willy

 I had a chance to chat with both Program Director Annie B. and Cindy M. about their experience so far:

MVRU: What is a fun or poignant memory you have of her? 

AB: Three years ago she showed up to ride and I didn’t know her at all. All I knew is that she wanted to get back in good health. So I went through the beginner lesson approach with her but quickly could see she wasn’t a beginner! It was so incredibly humbling…she acted like she didn’t know anything, but she actually had been an accomplished horsewoman for a long time!

MVRU: In what ways has she helped MVRU?  

AB: She “adopted” Ginger early on, making sure her needs are met and that she gets the exercise she needs. She always leads by example, always offering help and thinking of what she can do. She does just about everything: cleaning manure, cleaning tack, helping with classes, caring for horses. Cindy and her husband Sandy have also been big supporters of Let ‘Em Ride, helping us get financial support for the program through the Winthrop Kiwanis.

MVRU: What are her best character traits?  

AB: Cindy is such an incredible person for everyone here to look up to. She treats everyone in the kindest way. She is one of the most positive and appreciative people I have ever had the opportunity to meet.  She is a good example for all of us!

And here's what Cindy had to say:

MVRU: What is your earliest memory of your time at the ranch?
CM: I became involved in MVRU because I wanted to ride after many lost years doing other things. In the '90's I needed to work and was involved in sports as an Athletic Trainer Certified for Pacific Lutheran University and Evergreen State College. It kept me charged with the love of sport. It was in 2013 I gave in to my urge to ride again. Annie showed the movie Buck at the Twisp Pub's First Tuesday and I was hooked. I started riding at MVRU the summer of 2013 leasing Ginger and taking lessons with Annie.

MVRU: What is the most important thing you have learned from your time spent at the ranch?
CM: The most important thing I learned was that I would have to study and work hard to learn as quickly as possible all the new things I never knew about this creature: horse. I had some good instructors in my past whose methods hinted at what we call "natural horsemanship". From Annie's instruction and example doors began to open. I purchased the DVDs 7 Clinics with Buck Brannaman. Both Annie and Buck brought me deeper wonder and respect for the horse. I just had to buy a horse and experience this philosophy and its methods for myself. I figured at this stage of life, I'd need help and MVRU has been the perfect atmosphere for new learning.

MVRU: Who is your favorite MVRU horse and why?
CM: Ginger the Great is my favorite horse. I love to take her out in spring. She's well educated, willing and patient. She's worth her weight in $100 bills!!

MVRU: What advice would you give to others who are just starting on their path with horses?
CM: While you are here riding and learning at MVRU, work at it. Ask questions of yourself, set goals, try hard to achieve them. This is a very good incubator for developing horsemen and horsewomen of all ages and stages. What you learn here will be with you for the rest of your life. You'll think back and say "Oh, it's easy I can do this. I jumped Buttons over that impossible training level course. This challenge in my life is nothing compared to that."

Spotlight: Janie McMillan

By Jasmine Minbashian, MVRU Associate Director

Last winter, we were approached by one of the teachers at the Independent Learning Center (ILC), Sara Mounsey, who told us of one of her students who wanted to become a therapeutic horsemanship instructor. The ILC, an innovative school in Twisp, encourages their students to take on internships with community organizations to gain real world experiences.


And so began our time with Janie McMillan, who came to us as a shy teenage intern who hated speaking in public and today is growing into her confident self. She is proving to be a wonderful addition to our team. For the last year, Janie has been a steady hand at the ranch, helping us with many aspects of running a horsemanship program for people of all abilities. Janie comes from a large Methow horse family, so her comfort in working with both horses and kids gives her a great start to her journey of becoming a certified therapeutic horsemanship instructor.

Janie leading Marley and a Let 'Ride student last fall

I had a chance to chat with both Program Director Annie B. and Janie about their experience so far:


MVRU: What is a fun or poignant memory you have of her? 

AB: I remember when we first met, she was giving a presentation for school (ILC) and was beside herself even though the ‘audience’ was only her teacher, her parents, a brother and myself. She was so full of self-consciousness and self-doubt.  Now, one and half years later, she is working on being an instructor which is major ‘public speaking’!  She is much more confident and willing to just out herself out there!

MVRU: In what ways has she helped MVRU?  

AB: She has helped with a lot! Chores, horse care, and more recently lesson planning and developing resources for our Cub Horse Club.

MVRU: What are her best character traits as an intern?  

AB: She is cheerful, always showing up with a sunny attitude. She is resourceful and a hard worker.

Janie helping a Let 'Em Ride student groom Ginger

And here's what Janie had to say:

MVRU: What is your earliest memory of your time at the ranch?

JM: I started at MVRU in March of 2015. I wanted to see how the riding program was run. I have known since I was a child that I wanted to work with horses and children. In January of 2015, my teacher (Sara Mounsey) really started to encourage me to look into the program at the ranch. I met with Annie in February and started in March. Since my first day scooping poo, I have known that it was the right place for me to start my journey of working with horses and kids.

MVRU: What is the most important thing you have learned from your time spent at the ranch?

JM: The most important thing I have learned is how much hard work is put into teaching people how to ride properly. It takes hard work, dedication, patience, and perseverance. But you will never regret doing it. The skills you learn aid you in your everyday life.

MVRU: Who is your favorite horse and why?

JM: My favorite horse is Whatnot. He is the first horse I rode at the ranch. He is so patient with me and has helped me learn so much. When I was learning halter work, he was very patient. If was doing something wrong he would help me out by doing what he knew was the right answer. He is so sweet and gentle.

MVRU: What advice would you give to others who are just starting on their path with horses?

JM: Learn wherever you can and try new things. Ride a variety of horses and see what you like. Listen to what people have to say, even if you don't take their advice. It never hurts to here what others have to say.

Happy Holiday Season to ALL! Mother Nature is delivering a VERY white holiday season this week! We are so grateful for another wonderful year of delivering high quality horsemanship programs to our community and friends. This year we are pleased to have served: *37 students between the ages of 4 and 18 in our weekly horsemanship lessons *25 5-8 year olds in Little Star summer horse camps *18 special elementary school students in the Let Em Ride program *16 students in our Horse Care classes. None of this could be accomplished without the generosrity of many volunteers and donors and our fantastic 4-legged staff. Warmest wishes for peace, joy and connection with loved ones this winter. We look forward to seeing everyone in the New Year!