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NH Association of the Blind Walkathon
Mini Style

 

Members of Shared Gifts walked last Saturday in support of the NH Association of the Blind and demonstrated what a "seeing eye " Mini would look like in small shoes (so doesn't slip on linoleum of hospitals, etc).  Minis are becoming popular in this profession because they live so much longer than dogs and they do all the same things.

 

 

Welcome to Shared gifts
Unique Mutual Therapies

 

 

SHARED GIFTS is an organization dedicated to helping people with and without life challenges and /or disabilities gain confidence, find acceptance and experience the joys of life through the love, care and riding of retired horses and to providing shelter, humane care and a special purpose for those elder or abused horses that were no longer considered useful.

 

For many years, Marcia Evans ( owner of Dawn-Mar Riding Academy), has selflessly given to anyone, particularly children, who needed encouragement and direction to achieve their full potential and to aged and /or infirm horses that were unwanted and neglected, but are now thriving due to her loving and patient rehabilitation.

    Through her 4H Easy Riders program (of 40 years) and her Merrimack Valley Equestrian Special Olympics program (of 20 years), Marcia has pioneered the “unified barn” concept by which special students are included in 4H competition in addition to competing in Special Olympics.  Thanks to this equal opportunity approach, in addition to learning to ride, children in both clubs work together to care for their proud service animals as they embrace their differences and offer each other support and friendship.

 

 At the same time, countless adults (clients, boarders, parents ,friends and innocent bystanders) have received their first riding instruction from Marcia. Moreover, many of the advanced youngsters and adults have been taught: saddle seat,dressage, hunt seat, english equitation, western pleasure, jumping and carriage driving (Marcia Evans is founder of THerapeutic Driving in New Hampshire). Under her tutelage, parents who came to support their children, found themselves joining in daily grooming, even taking on roles as 4H leaders. Some have enjoyed the simple pleasure of encouraging young riders to strive for their personal goals, others enjoyed the moments of loving (spoiling) our elder horses.

    We refer to the essence of what happens at Dawn-Mar as "unique mutual therapies". The young assist their elders, as our elders mentor those younger and less experienced . The 4H Easy Riders welcome those of MVESO, while those of special needs teach their friends patience and acceptance. Most importantly, all of these wonderful horses coming from every imaginable background, flourish under Marcia's rehabilitation and the love of riders and caretakers. In return, these rescued horses proudly offer their backs for support and their hearts for sweet companionship.

    The result of all these years of Marcia's intuitive dedication to these mutual therapies, is that everyone, and all the horses SHARE THE GIFTS of love, respect, understanding, commitment and the mutually beneficial goal of helping each other succeed.

    Please read on to enjoy the stories of each of our rescued horses, as well as the description of some of our programs at Dawn-Mar Ranch. THank You!