SPIRIT REINS RIDES NEW PATH DURING PANDEMIC

Photo by Amanda Wintenburg Photography

Spirit Reins is all about second chances...

by Charlotte Kovalchuk

SPIRIT REINS’ FOUNDER, RHONDA SMITH, had her second chance when she survived a car crash, which inspired her to open the facility. Many of the horses that were saved from abuse or euthanasia have found a new loving home at Spirit Reins. Children who experience trauma find healing through connections with horses. Even the organization got a fresh start during the pandemic.

Located on 125 acres at 2055 County Road 284 in Liberty Hill, Spirit Reins is a not-for-profit organization that partners equine professionals and horses to help children and families in

Central Texas who have experienced complex trauma. The story of how Spirit Reins came to be started with Rhonda’s own traumatic moment.

also involved in therapy sessions, which Rhonda says HEALING FAMILIES sets Spirit Reins apart from other trauma organiza-

Rhonda walked away from an accident she tions because it serves the whole family. shouldn’t have survived. In 1999, she was run over In 2010, Spirit Reins began providing equine-asby an 18-wheeler and, she says, “I got a second sisted psychotherapy services. Each child would chance at life, and I wanted to make it count.” work with a therapist, equine professional, and a Through Spirit Reins, she was able to combine her horse. Equine therapy is important because the passion for children and brain of a horse is similar to horses, as well as her desire the developing brain of a child to heal families like her sister’s impacted by trauma. As prey from the cycle of trauma. As a animals, horses are keenly young adult, Rhonda felt like aware of their surroundings she didn’t have the power to and constantly live in the save her sister or her nieces moment to feel safe with a and nephews, so she poured fight-flight-or-freeze response. her life’s work into under- Clients often live in that same standing childhood adversity survival mode. However, their and finding the best approach actions don’t always match to stop the generational cycle their internal feelings, and of trauma. horses can sense and point

In 2003, she opened Spirit that out in a non-judgmental Reins to serve children ages way to help them gain insight 4 to 25 impacted by trauma, about those behaviors. most of whom are in the foster Spirit Reins is home to 33 and juvenile justice systems horses that are free to be and “have experienced the themselves and roam across worst of life.” Caregivers are the facility’s peaceful hill Photo courtesy of Monica Trout OCTOBER 2020  LIBERTY HILL DIGEST

country landscape. Like clients, many of them have stories of brokenness, both emotionally and physically. Some horses were rescued while others came with injuries or disabilities, which foster connections with children who see that the horses still have value and are able to thrive despite their struggles. “It gives them hope that, at least at Spirit Reins, there’s no such thing as a throwaway,” Rhonda says. “No one’s so broken that there’s no value.”

NEW TRACK

“‘Pivot’ is the ugly word for nonprofits this year,” Rhonda says. It’s what Spirit Reins has had to do during COVID-19 by switching to online services. Therapists began working from home and equine professionals continued to come to the facility to care for the horses.

But telehealth was a struggle for clients. Technology was often an issue and kids were tired of staring at a screen during sessions. On top of that, Spirit Reins was losing more and more revenue, despite small business loans and a Wilco Forward grant. In the summer, the Spirit Reins board met to discuss the organization’s future. “This is not sustainable. Either we end well or transition,” Rhonda told board members. In August, they made the difficult decision to close therapy services to come up with a new plan moving forward.

Thanks to a team of experts and donors, Spirit Reins is now on a new track. The organization has launched Equine Connections, a wellness service that targets families experiencing isolation, depression, and uncertainty because of the pandemic. Equine Connections is not a therapy program; it is an opportunity for teens and caregivers to come to Spirit Reins to get some space, walk the land, and connect with horses. This service is designed as an immediate, short-term support, where teens and caregivers can schedule a same-day or next-day experience.

During this new chapter in the organization’s history, Spirit Reins is working with a Transformation Team of thought leaders, advocates, and experts to explore how they can best serve the community in a post-pandemic world. They hope that Equine Connections will be the first of other wellness programs. “The past few months have been so difficult for us and everyone in the community. And the challenges continue,” Rhonda says. “Right now, we are reflecting on the heart of our mission and inviting those who support us closer as we strengthen our spirit of resilience.”

Photo by Rocc Solid

HOW TO HELP Taking care of 125 acres of land with a reduced team is a lot of work, and Spirit Reins is looking for volunteers who are able to provide administrative support, or act as greeters, fundraising event assistants, and mechanics to ensure the organization is able to serve Liberty Hill for a long time. Donations are also welcome; wishlist items include a new muck spreader and a Polaris vehicle.

To learn more about Spirit Reins, call 512-778-9449 or visit SpiritReins.org