ROCK held the annual Blessing of the Horses on Saturday, July 24 with Horseshoe Club sponsors, ROCKateers, and staff in attendance. This yearly tradition is a chance for sponsors to connect with their horse and say a prayer for their health and well-being over the next year.
The idea for Blessing of the Horses came from Horseshoe Club members Kathy and Gary Kelley back in 2014. “Gary and I were members of a Christian Motorcycle Association that held ‘Blessing of the Bike’ days,” explained Ms. Kelley. “So, as I gained more understanding of what it takes for a horse to become a therapy horse, and the lives that are affected because of them, I felt lead to pray over them just as we did for the health and safety of the motorcycles and riders. The Blessing is one day that we ask nothing of the horse, but rather it is all about petitioning on their behalf to the One who created them.”
During Blessing of the Horses, all of the horses are brought into the arena in groups of 3 or 4 at a time, and Lesley Shedeck, ROCK’s Equine Director, discusses any health concerns or other needs that they are working through. Sponsors, volunteers and anyone else in attendance are then given a few moments to pray over and visit with the horses before bringing in the next group. It is a peaceful and intimate time for both humans and equine partners and highlights how much they are loved by the ROCK family.
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