Spring 2016
Winter has come and gone so quickly this year and what a busy time it has been! After a quick but fruitful Maple Syrup season, we welcome the sunshine and warmer temperatures. It has been wonderful to watch the birds return, the trees begin to bud and flowers start to bloom. Everything feels new again in the Spring.
Timber Ridge Ranch has seen a few new things this Spring as well. Our ranch dog, Zeke is recovering well from the surgery he had and we are thankful for that. We’re sure he’s looking forward to patrolling the ranch again; chasing off intruding birds and keeping tabs on the barn cats.
Speaking of barn cats, we adopted “Grace” into our ranch family this Spring. She is a young cat who was without a home due to her family being displaced to a new apartment that doesn’t allow pets. She’s already fitting right in as she’ll appear purring, when the kids call for her. The barn cats are an important part of our ministry as they are a big attraction to the kids that come. The cats love to be petted, held, and talked to; the perfect match for little hands that are looking for a friend. One of our cats, Mr. Ginger, is exceptionally friendly and during a session I asked the girl who was holding him why she liked Ginger so much? She looked up at me as if the reason should be obvious, “Because he loves me!” It’s because love can be translated to a child in the form of a barn cat that our kitties are important.
We are excited to have begun sessions again and look forward to being able to accomodate more visits as the school year ends. Along with the nicer weather comes an excitement in the air for the horses. They love to eat and roll in the grass in the pasture and sometimes kick up their heels and gallop around just for the fun of it. Along with the extra energy sometimes comes a little bit of naughtiness, since it’s been a long winter without having to do much work. It’s amazing how, though they sometimes choose to push the limits when they’re feeling excited, they also can understand how to listen to the leading of a child.
I was working in the round pen with Clyde one afternoon, getting some of his extra energy out, when one of our kids just happened to stop in for a quick visit. I invited the girl into the round pen with me and explained what I was doing. Of course Clyde was very interested in coming into the center with us, wanting to say hello to the child. She asked if she could put his lead rope on, I gave permission and she went over to the fence to get it. Marching back to me with wide eyes she asked, “Can I do it myself?” Again I nodded and sent a quick prayer upwards that Clyde would behave for her. I explained quickly how to lead a horse and said it was okay for her to begin. She said “Come on Clyde!” and away they went. All around the round pen, his giant body looming behind her small frame, his head low to the ground, following her every move like a big puppy. After making many circles, stops and patterns in the round pen, she brought him back to the center where I was. I could see her smiling and chatting with Clyde as she led him around. I asked her how it made her feel to be the leader of such a big horse. She looked up at me with a huge smile on her face and simply said “Happy.”
Ranch News
It has been a VERY mild Winter here and we’re very grateful for that! We have been able to complete the fencing in the back pasture as well as nearly complete the run in shed. A huge thank you to everyone who has helped out both locally and visitors from far away. We truly couldn’t get these projects done without you! The horses are excited to be able to eat the grass in the back pasture now and have more space to run around. We will be doing some “Spring Cleaning” at the ranch, including cobwebbing, washing windows in the barn, cleaning out and planting some of the flower beds. This Summer we’re hoping to embrace a couple of larger construction projects such as, creating a new dry lot and putting sand footing in the round pen. If you are interested in helping with any of these things please don’t hesitate to get in contact with us. Looking forward to an exciting Summer season!
Prayer Requests
We ask for your support in prayer for the following:
Guidance in the development of the ranch, we look forward to expanding our program and looking into various ways we can connect with the community
That He would continue to send people to us
That this Summer would be a season of transformation for the kids, families, session leaders, volunteers and all those involved with Timber Ridge Ranch
Volunteer Opportunities
We have many different opportunities for anyone who has a willing heart to invest in the Ranch. Whether you’re good with kids or adults, horses or mechanical things, we’ve got opportunities to help here. Let us know if you’ve got a free weekend to help with a project or two, or you just want to spend an hour once in a while unloading a hay wagon, grooming a horse, or picking up poop! There’s always stuff to do here!
Donate
Donations to support our ministry can be submitted on our website or sent to:
Timber Ridge Ranch, 2691 Route 174, Marietta, NY 13110.
We are a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization.