The Village JANUARY 2020 31
With a little help
from your friends Local nonprofit nurtures empathy, tranquility A Village exclusive: At BlixxHorses in West Kennebunk, program director Gabriela Rodriguez Quinn predicts 2020 will be a pivotal year for her educational organization, whose mission is to provide the therapeutic services and emotional benefits that spending time with horses encourages. The distinguishing feature of BlixxHorses is that you won’t ride the two lovable therapy horses, Fritz and Lexxie. Rather, the idea is to develop a bond and relationship with the gentle giants simply by being with them as companions. The goal is empathy, and that’s the unique experience that makes BlixxHorses such a remarkable option, should you be in search of a new and “real” experience that might just change your life. Rodriguez Quinn said anyone can benefit from the tranquility that horse therapy at BlixxHorses encourages. With flexible, nonriding programs, they help people interact with horses in a calming environment that comforts those with special needs, people dealing with serious illness including cancer, veterans with PTSD, those experiencing grief or anxiety, those overcoming adversity or simply anyone looking to gain a deeper understanding of life and its challenges. Knowing the horses --- rather than riding them --- is likely to fuel BlixxHorses’ expected growth in 2020, because it’s in harmony with a worldwide movement that continues to gain steam, one that calls for people to acquire a much better understanding of an animal’s natural behavior and instincts. Specifically, keeping and training
large animals to “work” for humans is coming under much sharper scrutiny. Experts are seriously starting to question, for example, whether zoos, animal parks and aquariums should continue to exist. Rodriguez Quinn said this increased awareness and concern for animals’ well-being has strong parallels when considering quality of life issues that directly affect Fritz, Lexxie and all horses. “Most people concede humans are not designed to be saddled up and carry other mammals on their backs,” said Rodriguez Quinn. “Well, research has shown that neither are horses. They have physical vulnerabilities and limitations, just like people do.” Sensitivity to this reality, along with the therapy opportunities that Lexxie and Blitz provide, are the meat and
Unbridled Fritz (above and Lexxie right) gently grazing at BlixxHorses.
potatoes of this 501(c)3 educational organization that Rodriguez Quinn hopes to expose to a much wider audience in the new year. “We’ve been quietly plugging away on our own since 2007, but recently I have lined up a PR firm to help us out and we will soon be launching a new web site. Our message really resonates with people, but first the message needs to reach them. Now that we’ll be getting the word out to a much wider audience, I’m very excited about helping more people develop a friendship with Fritz and Lexxie.” BlixxHorses offers a variety of non-
Unbridled Lexxie & Fritz. Photo courtesy of BlixxHorses
riding programming to do exactly that. The focus starts with care, behavior, understanding, communication and commitment. Interacting closely with Lexxie and Fritz, people of all ages throughout the community have the opportunity to learn, communicate, and gain an appreciation for horses, without riding and competition. Every client gets information and instruction on proper care for Lexie
and Fritz, based on documented needs and behaviors. The goal is to build a relationship, by recognizing the importance of the time needed to develop trust, and learning how the same techniques can be applied to other aspects of a person’s life. As the relationship develops and more important, as a genuine friendship develops, people start to benefit physically and emotionally from each interaction. Positive and long-term cumulative effects also begin to settle in. That result is consistent with studies proving that interacting with animals helps overall human health. Rodriguez
Quinn explained that horses are prey animals, not predators. That makes them vulnerable and easy to mistreat, but it also gives them a unique energy and a calming effect that helps decrease stress and anxiety. “We all love our dogs and cats, for sure, but they evolved as predators and that’s how they’re wired,” she said. “Horses are wired differently. They have a certain stoic peacefulness
that is hard to put into words. But that tranquility does wonders when we successfully tap into and honor it.” “We’re here to help. What Fritz and Lexxie can do may not be for everyone, but it may be absolutely perfect for you, or someone you love. Those are the wonderful introductions BlixxHorses likes to make,” Rodriguez Quinn said. BlixxHorses offers custom pricing and group discounts for a variety of non-riding programs featuring Fritz and Lexxie. Vest www.BlixxHorses.org, or call 207-985-1994.•
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