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In Memory of Rosie

Rosie has been woven into the fabric of Agape almost since the beginning. That is why, in this time of great difficulty already, it brings us immense sorrow to share with you that Rosie has been laid to rest. Late in March, Rosie developed a severe case of laminitis in all four hooves. Despite icing her feet three times a day, keeping her in a deeply bedded stall, and giving her anti-inflammatory medications twice a day, there was no improvement in Rosie’s condition. For this reason, we made the difficult decision to humanely euthanize her.

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The Legacy of Littlefoot

Dear Agape family, I come to you in great sorrow to share that Littlefoot passed away Tuesday evening around 5:00pm. This was completely unexpected and, needless to say, devastating.

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The difference between fearless and courageous

You might want to get your tissues ready for this one. You see, sometimes life can be pretty challenging for some of our riders. Home, or school, or both may be more stressful than safe. Life may be pretty uncertain from one day to the next. The challenges and the hurts of daily life show up at the barn and often presents itself in fear and timidity. But then they find a safe place in a horse… and that’s when they find their courage.

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How one little pony helped 12 women change their outlook on life

You know the term ‘Fun-Sized?’ That’s our little Welsh pony, River! At 12.2 hands tall, he is our smallest riding horse, but there is a whole lot of personality in that tiny palomino body. Just ask anyone that partners with him during group lessons at Agape South. Our lead group programming instructor, Linda Hazzard, loves including River in lessons. She says, “You know how much I love that little pony! He is a great teacher, and when you do it right, he joins right up and is your best bud.”

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Patch & Joseph: Learning patience and focus together

Our horses change lives every day. Sometimes, the changes are big–like Moe and Francisco–but sometimes they are smaller, more subtle. No matter how big or small though, our horses are helping people live happier, fuller lives. One such story is how Patch is helping Joseph Swim.

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You’ve Got a Friend in Lexi

[vc_row type=”in_container” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/1″][vc_row_inner bottom_padding=”30″][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/3″][image_with_animation image_url=”10169″ alignment=”center” animation=”None”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/3″][image_with_animation image_url=”10168″ alignment=”center” animation=”None”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/3″][image_with_animation image_url=”10167″ alignment=”center” animation=”None”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1576705625047{margin-bottom: 35px !important;}”] Picture this: the song You’ve Got A Friend in Me is playing. A girl and a horse, the very best of friends, spending time together every week for six years. The horse and the girl grow and learn together; they have fun and adventures like trail rides, riding games, and obstacle courses. The girl always brightens up when she arrives at the barn, and

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Riding Bareback… Blind – and the Horse that Led Him There

[vc_row type=”in_container” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/1″][vc_row_inner bottom_padding=”30″][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/3″][image_with_animation image_url=”10144″ alignment=”center” animation=”None”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/3″][image_with_animation image_url=”10143″ alignment=”center” animation=”None”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/3″][image_with_animation image_url=”10142″ alignment=”center” animation=”None”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1576080833631{margin-bottom: 35px !important;}”] Calm, collected, reliable, and trustworthy no matter what the present circumstance brings. These are the words we hear over and over again when describing Moe. Why does a calm and reliable horse matter for a rider? Francisco’s story illustrates what can happen when we face our challenges with a guide like Moe. [/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”Small Line” custom_height=”35″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1576164414123{margin-top: 35px !important;margin-bottom: 40px !important;}”]Francisco is 14 years

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Larger Than Life – Meet Ginger

[vc_row type=”in_container” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/1″][vc_row_inner bottom_padding=”40″][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/3″][image_with_animation image_url=”10108″ alignment=”center” animation=”None”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/3″][image_with_animation image_url=”10109″ alignment=”center” animation=”None”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/3″][image_with_animation image_url=”10110″ alignment=”center” animation=”None”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1575325603214{margin-bottom: 40px !important;}”]Ginger is not like any other horse at Agape. She’s a draft cross–tall, with an enormous head and a presence that stops you in your tracks. But she’s also a mule – her “other half” is a donkey, lending her extra long ears and an extra-loving, people-pleasing nature. She is simply larger than life. But it’s not just her size that makes her larger than

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Meet Bo – Body Paint, Rainbow Tutus, and All

[vc_row type=”in_container” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/1″][vc_row_inner bottom_padding=”40″][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/3″][image_with_animation image_url=”10090″ alignment=”center” animation=”None”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/3″][image_with_animation image_url=”10095″ alignment=”center” animation=”None”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/3″][image_with_animation image_url=”10094″ alignment=”center” animation=”None”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1575321717043{margin-bottom: 40px !important;}”]Everybody has that one friend that is quiet, easy-going, loveable, the kind of friend you can bring your troubles to; and then, when no one is expecting it, cracks the funniest joke. That’s our Bo. He’s a strong, steady, reliable presence for riders of all levels of independence, as he carries his students along in the arena or out on the trail. And when the

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Give Joy – Get Joy

“For somehow, not only at Christmas, but all the long year through, the joy that you give to others, is the joy that comes back to you.” ~ John Greenleaf Whittier As you consider how you and your family might be able to give this year, there is a way you can give that will have a long and lasting impact at Agape. Our horses make all the difference here. They teach our riders about life – how to work together, how to be respectful, how to share, how to trust, how to communicate, how to have boundaries, how to

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The thrill of hope

“Hope is not what you’d expect; it is what you would never dream. It is a wild, improbable tale with a pinch-me-I’m-dreaming ending… Hope is not a granted wish or a favor performed; no, it is far greater than that. It is a zany, unpredictable dependence on a God who loves to surprise us out of our socks.” ~ Max Lucado I’ve been reflecting on what hope is, what hope does, why hope matters. Maybe hope isn’t simply something you do. Maybe hope is actually also like a gift you receive. Maybe hope is about the journey of anticipation more

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