KELLY COLEMAN

There is something remarkable happening in Fellsmere at the Florida Equestrian Foundation. Lives are being changed, minds are being rescued and hearts are being healed through a type of therapy work that dates back to WWII and the special gift of understanding as only a horse can give.

Winston Churchill said, “There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.”  Florida Equestrian Foundation (FEF) has living proof.  Seeking to help her clients grow, heal and maximize their potential, Cindy Devine, Executive Officer of FEF, uses her team of eight horses in special equine assisted activities designed to help individuals understand their own emotions and how their behavior effects them and the world they live in. Through instant feedback clients learn to control themselves and overcome negative past experiences that effect everyday behavior.  The equine therapy has benefits such as increased concentration, relief from stress, emotional and mental calmness and decreased anxiety.  Clients who are referred to Cindy or seek out FEF as a solution often suffer from mental or emotional stress and negative behaviors brought on by emotional or behavioral disorders such as PTSD, ADHD, depression, social discomfort, abuse, eating disorder, anger, aggression and more. Autism, communication and esteem issues are among other examples of issues also successfully treated through Cindy’s equine therapy and with the help of a therapist, when requested.

Horses react to human emotion by way of copying or mimicking our behavior and energy we emanate. If you are scared, the horse becomes scared.  If you are angry, the horse becomes angry.  For the client, seeing the connection between how the horse is reacting to instructions he or she gives provides that individual such an immediate picture of the issue or problem they are facing that there is no other program or therapy as instantly effective in promoting a long term, permanent change.  And perhaps most revolutionary or inspiring at this point in time is the fact that all of this is accomplished without drugs or testing. Pure and simple, it’s all about healing.

Cindy and her daughter, Marci Dalton – the horse trainer, started working with horses and interested riders over seven years ago when they opened their riding program at Scarlett Stables.   “It all started as a riding program and then took off when we started being asked to work with specific individuals.  When I started working with people who could see and feel the effects of what that horse had on him or her, I knew that this was it – what I wanted to do,” shares Cindy.  With a varied background including Radiation Therapy, teaching the medical science program at local high schools and IRSC, as well as authoring twelve books on children’s nutrition, FEF’s chief officer is no stranger to helping people in the work she does.  She is also no stranger to horses with a daughter who came out of the womb saying “horsey” and grew into such an accomplished horsewoman.

With a team of nine horses distinctively different in attitude and personality – each horse has his own role on the team.  Cindy and Marci know all of their “staff’s’” winsome and most loveable traits, as well as each horse’s unique ability to work with mentally wounded individuals. There is a careful assessment that occurs when the capacity to change a life is at hand.  Cindy will evaluate her client and then usually she selects a horse or group of horses that can successfully team with that individual to work through the therapy session. It is not even unusual for her horses to pick the client!  Most of her equine assistants have also changed in nature over the years, becoming heartwarmingly loveable, or attention seeking when once standoffish, even mischievous, but in only the best kind of way!  Horses consistently treated with respect and love and nurtured in a quiet, healthy environment as well as being encouraged to socialize, have all the potential in the world to extend compassion, acceptance and understanding to the human hearts and minds they meet seeking rescue and healing.

With veterans, seniors and autistic individuals comprising the majority of the foundation’s client list, Cindy shares that they have seen many other kinds of success stories in families, couples and individuals alike. For example, test anxiety has been cured in one session. Kids who are being bullied at school experience renewed confidence as they regain control of their lives and learn to diffuse situations with the help of the horse. One of the foundation’s therapists specializes in addictions – and they have even seen clients ultimately get off prescriptions.  FEF has had tremendous success with veterans experiencing this type of therapy… men who have taken to these horses because they need to work with something that is big and strong and because it provides them with immediate feedback as they work toward a renewed peace of mind post war.  Regardless of the pain, loss, dysfunction or injury that has been inherited or inflicted, clients are experiencing life changing results that are making a long-term permanent difference.

Based solely on donations and the help of volunteers, this 501(c)3 foundation operates off of the benevolence of others.  With no immediate marketing endeavors or fundraising events planned in the coming months, the foundation’s focus is on implementing the Social Program for Horses and Autism, and on fundraising directed toward obtaining 40 sponsorships for this program’s waiting list for the coming year.  Busy organizing the first social program in IRC for autism, Cindy has hired a public relations individual to develop the sponsorship concept. With local corporations in our area known for hiring the mentally/behaviorally challenged individuals, FEF can focus on obtaining the backing and encouragement of companies that may ultimately employ individuals who experience and succeed through equine therapy. Cindy’s ultimate goal is to work with many more therapists and to nationally franchise the foundation putting a facility near each of our major military bases.

Florida Equestrian Foundation’s work is remarkable and unusual to our area of Florida, but not unique in its methods of using behavioral or mental equine therapy.  With current efforts and future hopes of working with the University of Florida’s Psychotherapy Center in Vero Beach, perhaps we will see FEF’s work being included in local studies.  There is also a possibility that FEF will collaborate with another barn and move the facility closer to Vero Beach, making the long trek to the current remote but very private Fellsmere location an easier commute for many in the future.

Cindy’s clients are referred by word of mouth, therapists, doctors, and ‘FRIENDS’ – the businesses or organizations who support the foundation in various ways. “Doctors have had client’s who have heard about us tell them about FEF. We have never had anyone come once and not want to come back.”  Between the work that Cindy, Marci, the therapists, and the staff of equine assistants are doing and the warmth of loving volunteers, her three friendly dogs and the beauty of the remote land and stables…it’s very easy to understand why anyone would want to return – even if you just need a little TLC from an amazing group of very special horses.

Scott, a new volunteer at FEF shares, “I like coming out here.  The horses are relaxing to be around…and they are nice. Before coming to FEF I had no experience with horses.  All of the horses listen very well and seem to like me – I’m still pretty new. This is a pretty calming place to be. Usually I get to work with the horses for a few hours, which is nice.

Joshua has been volunteering for about a month or two and usually arrives in the afternoon.  “I spend time with the horses and clean their stalls.  I have been getting back into riding lessons – it is good to be back on a horse, it really relaxes me.  Horses make me feel better about myself.  All of the horses know me – but, I really love Schadow.  They are all very special horses though.” While volunteering at FEF, Joshua has noticed that working with horses has helped him with his self-esteem and his confidence – something everyone can use.

“There are a lot of different ways to volunteer at FEF – everything from hands on work with the horses to marketing, social media, accounting, and social connections. It doesn’t have to be hands-on. You can volunteer even if you have no experience with horses at all.  We don’t allow anyone to volunteer that doesn’t understand the philosophy of accepting everyone – everyone is treated the same. We work as a group – it all has to be positive and harmonious,” states Cindy.

The Florida Equestrian Foundation believes that every individual has the ability within themselves for growth, healing and maximizing their own potential. When you consider the impact the foundation’s work has had not only on its clients’ lives, but the lives of their family members as well, you begin to understand that equine behavioral therapy is unlike anything else.

For additional information about Florida Equestrian Foundation visit www.floridaequestrianfoundation.org. There are many ways to donate financially or to volunteer help.  Along with a team of the tenderhearted, supportive and abundantly loved horses, the devoted and tireless crew of volunteers at FEF are the heart of the organization. Volunteers who assist are relied on in many ways and no gift of time is ever too small.

To contact Cindy Devine, please call 772-538-3748 or email FloridaEquestrianFoundation@gmail.com. FEF is located at Scarlett Stables, 9745 141^st Avenue, Fellsmere, Florida.  Please call Cindy for directions or to schedule an appointment.