Meet Our Volunteers

"It was challenging to work with the more dominant horses and learning how I need to show my leadership skills. I learned how essential it is to not only speak out loud to the hors, but also to communicate with body language and energy in a confident leader – like way. The majority of leadership is in how you carry and hold yourself as well as how you talk to them. Even people have the ability to sense emotions and leadership and dominance and that the thoughts you are thinking project through your body language. I realized that I am in control of my thoughts and emotions, and what I feel is projected to the world. I have the ability to radiate love to each the animals and everyone around me. I am excited to come back and continue to help. The message of Summit Valley Horse Center is inspiring and educational. I am happy to help spread the message and spend more time here!"

"The experience of getting to know what a horse really is feeling had a huge impact on me. If the rider is confident then the horse will be confident in the rider. I learned that communication all depends on body language, vocalization and your energy with the horse. You have to know what you are doing to connect with the horse. Leadership is probably the number 1 important concept that is essential to horse training. If you are the leader and you act and feel like a leader then the horse will follow and be comfortable with you. I know I can be a leader at whatever I am good at. I realized you can always have a special connection with the horse. I believe that love is the most powerful feeling a man or woman can feel in their lifetime. Happiness just comes along when you feel loved. I feel very satisfied about today. Mr. Longhill is a man with great knowledge about animals and people that you can take out and use in everyday life."

"The think that really impacted me was the relationship I saw between the horses and how I could have that with every horse. I learned that communication is not only vocal, but there is a lot of body language and energy that is utilized. To be in control of a horse you need to make them feel safe and you need to take charge and lead! I realized while working with the horses, that when things happen it’s not about what happened as much as much as what you are thinking about what happened. If you be responsible for what you are thinking, you can be waaayy happier! Horses are more likely to love you and work with you if you are showing happiness and love. I feel like Blue River Horse Sanctuary is a great way to give back and it’s an amazing way to spend time with some amazing creatures! I love this place and I would love to come back and help out and gain more knowledge!"

"I learned the importance of mindfulness and awareness. This is not only important in communication with humans, it is equally important with all humans. When one’s mind is centered in happiness and love, the outer conditions cannot disturb this. In interacting with the animals and humans this loving focus results in raising the vibration of what is happening. The thing that had the most impact on me was the initial contact I had with the miniature horses. I had never haltered a horse before and it was clear that my energy directly affected the response of the horse. The centering of my energy and slowing my breath while centering and focus of the body helped me realize that communication is mostly nonverbal with the horse and really the only effective way to communicate. Effective leadership is about self-confidence and positive focus – making the horse feel safe in order for them to trust me as a leader. This training was much more interactive and challenging than I expected and yet I am feeling very positive about the experience!"