Upcoming Events
Saline River Trail Ride - Oct. 3-4
The annual Saline River Trail Ride north of WaKeeney is coming up soon. This ride is friendly for all experience levels. Please follow the link below for more information, directions, and contacts. We hope to see you there!
SALINE RIVER TRAIL RIDE INFORMATION
3rd Annual Cedar Bluff Trail Ride - June 20-21
Our 3rd Annual Cedar Bluff Trail Ride is coming up soon! Please join us at one of western Kansas's most scenic areas. The riding will be friendly to all experience levels and the fellowship is second to none. There are no stallions or wagons allowed on this ride.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
Here are some pictures from last year's ride
News about Hooves of Heaven
Look and listen for Hooves of Heaven on the radio and on the internet. We will have a radio broadcast and a feature article published on www.agnews.com. Here's the clip that was broadcast live in 6 states by Brownfield Networks out of Jefferson City, MO. Click here to listen!
Recently we were featured in an article by the Hays Daily News
Recent Events
Cedar Bluff Trail Ride June 16-17th
Hooves of Heaven hosted a trail ride at Cedar Bluff Reservoir. Cedar Bluff is located about 20 miles south of WaKeeney, KS. There were about 35 riders who took part in the ride on Saturday. On Sunday, we had almost that many on a shorter trail. Both days featured rides on trails through the scenic bluffs that give Cedar Bluff its name.
Hooves of Heaven would like to thank Norman and Darlene Post, Brian Pelton, and many anonymous donors who generously provided support for the trail ride and the operation of Hooves of Heaven.
Youthville Christmas Ride
On December 27th, 2006, Hooves of Heaven pulled out early in the morning with 13 horses, many volunteers, and a mission to deliver a unique Christmas experience to 25 young people in the Youthville organization (www.youthville.org). Max and Sassy, our team of Clydesdales, led the way with jingle bells ringing and gave anyone who desired it a chance to ride in a horsedrawn wagon. Seven other horses were saddled up and led by volunteers for those who wanted a more traditional western pleasure ride. We also had a horse-drawn buggy on hand to give people a little different experience. Through the support of our sponsors, we were able to provide lunch for all the participants. During lunch, we gave everyone a little different flavor of entertainment as one of our volunteers recited some cowboy poetry for the group.
The feature of the day and most enjoyable part for most of the kids, it seemed, was the challenge events conducted with three of our horses. There were three different events set up to test personal resolve and teamwork.
Challenges:
1. In groups of 2, the challenge was to position one of the three horses in the roundpen in a small, specific area without talking to each other, without talking to the horse, and without touching the horse.
2. In groups of 3, the challenge was to make one of the three horses walk over a log laid across two buckets with the same restrictions as the previous activity.
3. Individually, the participant had the make one of the three horses walk clockwise around a bucket with logs laid out at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock again with the same restrictions as the previous two activities
The kids were split into small groups which were then divided down to fit each event. Ultimately, the goal was the complete the challenge, but rarely did that happen. After each attempt, successful or not, the participants were pulled aside and asked a series of questions about why/why not the attempts they made were working and how they could improve. Negotiations were made over rules if necessary and after a few minutes of reflection, the participants were given another chance. Successful attempts were the result of out-of-the-box thinking, teamwork, and focus on a common goal. The encouragement the non-participating kids gave those who were participating an added incentive to keep trying. It was not uncommon to hear a roar of cheers and applause as the participants got close to success or actually completed the challenge. Ultimately, three young horses and these activities were able to bring a group of kids together who rarely ever had an occasion or reason to work together.
The great attitudes of the Youthville members, the help of volunteers, and the generous support of our sponsors made this event a great success. Hooves of Heaven was able to give members of Youthville a unique experience that some of them said they will never forget. For some it was there first exposure to horses, for others it was a chance to get reacqquainted to them. Hooves of Heaven was able to cultivate a stronger relationship with Youthville and we will be doing more work with them in the future as we continue to work toward our common goal of helping kids.
Hooves of Heaven hosted a trail ride at Cedar Bluff Reservoir. Cedar Bluff is located about 20 miles south of WaKeeney, KS. There were about 35 riders who took part in the ride on Saturday. On Sunday, we had almost that many on a shorter trail. Both days featured rides on trails through the scenic bluffs that give Cedar Bluff its name.
Hooves of Heaven would like to thank Norman and Darlene Post, Brian Pelton, and many anonymous donors who generously provided support for the trail ride and the operation of Hooves of Heaven.
Youthville Christmas Ride
On December 27th, 2006, Hooves of Heaven pulled out early in the morning with 13 horses, many volunteers, and a mission to deliver a unique Christmas experience to 25 young people in the Youthville organization (www.youthville.org). Max and Sassy, our team of Clydesdales, led the way with jingle bells ringing and gave anyone who desired it a chance to ride in a horsedrawn wagon. Seven other horses were saddled up and led by volunteers for those who wanted a more traditional western pleasure ride. We also had a horse-drawn buggy on hand to give people a little different experience. Through the support of our sponsors, we were able to provide lunch for all the participants. During lunch, we gave everyone a little different flavor of entertainment as one of our volunteers recited some cowboy poetry for the group.
The feature of the day and most enjoyable part for most of the kids, it seemed, was the challenge events conducted with three of our horses. There were three different events set up to test personal resolve and teamwork.
Challenges:
1. In groups of 2, the challenge was to position one of the three horses in the roundpen in a small, specific area without talking to each other, without talking to the horse, and without touching the horse.
2. In groups of 3, the challenge was to make one of the three horses walk over a log laid across two buckets with the same restrictions as the previous activity.
3. Individually, the participant had the make one of the three horses walk clockwise around a bucket with logs laid out at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock again with the same restrictions as the previous two activities
The kids were split into small groups which were then divided down to fit each event. Ultimately, the goal was the complete the challenge, but rarely did that happen. After each attempt, successful or not, the participants were pulled aside and asked a series of questions about why/why not the attempts they made were working and how they could improve. Negotiations were made over rules if necessary and after a few minutes of reflection, the participants were given another chance. Successful attempts were the result of out-of-the-box thinking, teamwork, and focus on a common goal. The encouragement the non-participating kids gave those who were participating an added incentive to keep trying. It was not uncommon to hear a roar of cheers and applause as the participants got close to success or actually completed the challenge. Ultimately, three young horses and these activities were able to bring a group of kids together who rarely ever had an occasion or reason to work together.
The great attitudes of the Youthville members, the help of volunteers, and the generous support of our sponsors made this event a great success. Hooves of Heaven was able to give members of Youthville a unique experience that some of them said they will never forget. For some it was there first exposure to horses, for others it was a chance to get reacqquainted to them. Hooves of Heaven was able to cultivate a stronger relationship with Youthville and we will be doing more work with them in the future as we continue to work toward our common goal of helping kids.
