My Nonprofit Reviews

I am a survivor of severe torture, emotional/physical/sexual abuse. As a result of the constant and insidious abuse, I was diagnosed with Complex PTSD (Post Traumatic Syndrome Disorder). I would get anxious over simple things, I was easily overwhelmed, I had fear and trepidation in new situations/environments/people, I didn't allow myself to be vulnerable, I got depressed, scatter-brained and OCD about certain things. I have memory-lapses, night terrors and flashbacks--some triggers are known and still some are not. My body and mind were also in a Hypervigilant state 24/7-- "fight or flight" mode. I rarely slept and seemingly simple decisions took forever to make. I was terrified of making the wrong decision for it always had dire consequences and I was "stupid" for not being able to think for myself. I had no self-esteem, confidence and I didn't trust myself or anyone else. I have attempted suicide. I learned to always be guarded, waiting for the other shoe to drop. Not wanting to get close to people for fear that they will hurt me again. I had lost my sense of being, I had lost me.
In November 2020, I visited Medicine Horse Project and fell in love with two wild, recently gelding stallions, Warrior and Trooper (aka "the Wild Ones"), who were very fearful of people. Turns out, these boys have been neglected and/or abused too--by people that supposedly loved them. Both were part of a criminal neglect case and although their history is still a mystery for the most part, they will have a new and incredible future-- thanks to The Medicine Horse Project (MHP).
MHP stepped in February 2020 and brought these guys home when no one else wanted them (and the boys wanted no one else). Their mission is to rescue and rehab horses but they do so much more. They don't just rescue horses, they rescue people. Through workshops and individual training, Chris and Morgan Nichols give us and the horses the opportunity to heal. Some wounds we discover are ones we may not even know existed. Chris and Morgan pour their heart and soul into MHP-- it is more of a crusade than a mission. The level of love and care the horses (and people) receive is immeasurable and genuine. They truly change lives. I am eternally grateful that they have some into my life. When the student is ready, the teacher appears. I am ready.
Because horses possess a unique gift of healing, they are the perfect therapy addition for assisting in the physical, cognitive and emotional trauma recovery. The use of horses in therapy situations require a natural/holistic approach to releasing the trauma, wounds and anguish associated with the ordeals we may be facing or have been faced with in our lives. The beautiful connection and positive interaction is therapeutic and beneficial to both horse and human.
By nature, horses are playful, intuitive, creative, loving, intelligent, non-judgmental creatures who require us to be patient, have structure, consistency and discipline in our lives. But most of all, they require us to to keep our spirit (or get it back) and be true to ourselves. Horses never lie. They can and will mirror our behavior, reminding us of the things we need to work on in order to restore our health, heal and move on.
I am in the process of adopting and gentling these magnificent creatures which is a dream come true! The connection and love that I feel with these two boys actually scares me because it is so deep. We have so much in common. I have cried several times while working with them after the emotional connections-- a place I haven't allowed myself to go for a very long time. And after all they have been through, their willingness to let me into their lives is amazing. I wholeheartedly believe it is because MHP created the safe and loving environment to prepare these boys (and all of the other horses in their care) to be willing to trust and love again. To be able to find their forever humans and home where they can grow and flourish and know what unconditional love is.
It will take time and patience, but together we will learn to trust again. We will learn to overcome the past wounds and begin healing. I believe we already have begun that healing process. We have a ways to go before I can bring Warrior an Trooper to their forever home. Not only am I still building/creating it, but we all have a lot of training and guidance (with MHP's help) to go through before we are ready. And then, and only then will they come home with me. But these boys are worth it. We are worth it. And I look forward to every moment.
With the continued support of family, friends and even strangers, the lives of many more horses and people can be changed forever through Chris, Morgan and MHP.