A peaceful place
Somis Equestrian program offers children the chance to ride and learn about horses
By Michelle Knight knight@theacorn.com

HARPER SMITH/Acorn Newspapers GIDDY UP- Lincoln Elementary School student Kyle Garrett, 6, walks a pony at the Equestrian Dreams for Youth Foundation's recent Equestrian Day. The nonprofit organization provides underprivileged youth an opportunity to learn horsemanship and gain other therapeutic benefits from interacting with horses.

Megan Gaines has seen unruly children become gentle around a horse. She chalks up the transformation to the contrast between the animal's imposing size and sensitive nature.

"There's something calming about them," she said.

So Gaines started a nonprofit to expose underprivileged children to horses. Equestrian Dreams for Youth Foundation holds monthly Equestrian Days for children ages 4 to 14 at a ranch in Somis.

The Camarillo resident remembers the effect the horses had on one boy with attention-deficit disorder. The rambunctious youth yelled and misbehaved until he got around the horses, Gaines said.

"It gave me goose bumps just watching this little boy," she said.

And it's touching to watch the children support one another, Gaines said, like the time they cheered on a reluctant child with Down syndrome to climb aboard a horse.

"(That's) the biggest thing for me," Gaines said.

When children are around horses, they can escape difficult times at home, Gaines said. She recalls one family where the father was caring for his ill wife and had lost his job. Their seven children came out to one of the Equestrian Days.

"What it does for the kids is it gets them away from their problems . . . and being around the horses is pure joy for them," Gaines said.

At each Equestrian Day, about a dozen children get to ride horses, including a miniature one.

And they learn the proper way to groom and care for the animal.

One man even demonstrates how to make a horseshoe. Instructors are all volunteers, friends of Gaines.

An insurance broker, Gaines grew up loving horses. But with seven children in the family, her parents didn't have the money to pay for riding lessons. Gaines told herself that her daughter would be more fortunate. So when Casey turned 7, mother and daughter began taking horseback riding lessons together.

The weekly rides were a bonding experience. And when Casey went through the teenage years, Gaines said she saw how riding horses helped ease Casey's angst. Gaines decided to invite along children who wouldn't otherwise have had an opportunity to ride.

"I saw what it did for the kids- the positive influence," Gaines said. "It's just one of those things I wanted to share; it's become my passion."

Nine-year-old Blake Ward of Camarillo said after a recent Equestrian Day that he took a riding class to learn more about horses.

"I liked it a lot because I never rode a horse before," the fourthgrader said. "I actually would like to have my own ranch."

The Servin family donates the use of their Somis ranch to board several of the nonprofit's horses and as a venue for the monthly event. Gaines is looking to buy property in the area for the nonprofit to call home. She recently sold her property in Costa Rica to help finance the venture. When a ranch is found, she plans to live there to care for the animals.

With its own facility, Equestrian Dreams could accept donated horses and hold events more often and accommodate more children, she said.

Equestrian Dreams owns four horses. Donations help pay for the animals' upkeep and supplies for the children, such as riding helmets. A recent golf tournament fundraiser brought in much needed funds, and Gaines is looking into securing several grants.

She had been the nonprofit's sole means of financial support.

Although the Equestrian Days are primarily for underprivileged children, any child who's interested in horses is welcome to attend, Gaines said.

The next Equestrian Day is set for Nov. 10. Contact Megan Gaines at (805) 484-3727 or see equestriandreamsforyouth.com for more information.