Horses For Sale

What the Horses mean to Me!

"To me the horse program means we can get along with the animals. It shows us how to take care of horses and treat them with respect. We are also able to ride the horses; that helps with our mental and physical balance. We grow mentally stronger with animals. We get to groom them too. That is really fun!"

Another Boys Response!

"The horse program means so much to me and is one of the best traits I've learned in my life. I enjoy riding horses and have more respect and love for animals. I also enjoy feeding and grooming them. I'd like to ride my own horses in the Phillipines in the future. I was even thinking about opening my own ranch someday."

Another Boys Response!

"The horse program has been very helpful to me and means quite a bit as well. I have not only learned how to become a better horseman, but it has also helped me work harder and be less lazy. I really enjoy the horses, as well as working with Ann, Diane and Kevin. They have taught me quite a bit of stuff. Kevin has used my work to help him around the ranch with cleaning up the barn, washing horses, lunging horses and other various things. Ann and Diane have taught me how to ride and improve tremendously. I've ridden many of Salem's horses and have grown very fond of a lot of them; however, I have spent more traiing and time on one horse. His name is Brady and he is a bay Arabian gelding. From what I can recall, he was an endurance horse before he came here. His only probelm was taking off too greatly. I've personally learned a lot, thanks to Salem's horse program and riding is one of my favorite things to do around here."

Another Boys Response!

"The horse program at Salem means so much to me. It has really made an impact on my life. I've learned how to ride, groom and otherwise take care of a horse. Which has really helped me in my depression. There is something about animals that is therapeutic. I've come to grow attachments to certain horses and started to call them friends. Though it sometimes gets tiring showeling their, well, poop and feeding and giveing them water every week. But in the end it's worth having someone (in this case a horse) to talk to in a time of need."

For the Long Run

Nine of us were standing outside, on the campus of Salem, by the big tree with the tire swing, getting ready to run. Elizabeth, one of the Salem houseparent's, Kyle, my son and I had recently developed a running program for those boys who were interested. It started with 5. Then, when some of the others saw the running shoes that I had been able to get donated, another 5 wanted to join. On this day, there were 7 boys (3 were on home visit), Elizabeth and myself.

So there they were, in mid-march, on a crisp, slightly windy day, standing in their shorts, t-shirt and running shoes, ready to get started.

Now why would we begin a running program for boys who might have a propensity to "run", in effect encouraging them in their endeavor? Because it is a known fact that running can instill a sense of discipline, it's healthy, and it releases endorphins into the brain that can act as a natural high. Running can, in effect, be addictive, a much better drug than some of things these boys have tried.

So, on this day, I split them up into two teams of 4 (with Elizabeth on one team). I tried to make the teams as equal as possible. I had marked a 1.2 mile route, all on the campus of Salem. Each team would start with two running the course. When they finished running, they would tag their team mates and they would run the course. Each runner would run the course twice for a total of 2.4 miles. The winning team would get a small prize (they chose Sour Patch Kids candy).

Now, on every team, there are usually kids with varied skills. It is no different with the Salem boys. There are a few of the boys that are natural athletes and there are others who struggle to run 100 yards, let alone 2.4 miles. But something occurred that I neither encouraged or expected.

The faster runners decided that they would run with their slower teammates to encourage them along the way. This meant that they actually ran almost 5 miles instead of 2.4. As I noticed this phenomenon, I was struck by its irony. These are boys that may not usually be perceived as team players. They have made wrong choices in their young life and that is mainly the reason why they are here. Yet, here they were, selflessly encouraging each other.

Psalm 119:32 states: "I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.."

Like the author of this Psalm, I have discovered over the years that as my lifestyle is consistent with God's commands, I have found more and more freedom deep in my heart. This freedom and joy has given me an even greater desire to follow the principles of God. I want to "run" in the path that He has laid out for me in the Bible.

As much benefit running is for us, the spiritual exercise of following God's commandments has even greater benefits for our hearts. The freedom, joy and inner peace that come from "running" alongside God can, at times, be indescribable.

Could it be that what I saw was evidence that these young men are beginning to get a glimpse of this sense of freedom...the sense of joy through the encouragement of one another...or the selflessness that can come from running a different path; of allowing the Lord to work in their life? Many of these boy's lives have truly changed since they have been here and I was getting a glimpse of that change. Instead of running from their problems, they were running towards a solution by encouraging their teammates. It was a heart change that I was seeing and I was greatly encouraged.

This is the essence of our mission...not to force a change in their mind, but to facilitate a change in their heart. This can only be accomplished through the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Please pray for us as we continue to stay focused on this important mission...not just now, but for the long run.

"...run with patience (endurance, persistence) the race set before us, looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith ..." (Hebrews 12:1).

Kent Robson, Executive Director