East Point Horspice held an open house on Saturday June 26th from 1-5 p.m. This was an opportunity to allow the public a behind the scenes look at the facilities and programs offered by EPH. The afternoon began with a ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the Alliance Chamber of Commerce. The next few hours were filled with demonstrations of the therapy riding program, horse handling and training techniques and Magna Wave Pulse Electromagnetic Frequency therapy sessions. From 2 to 4 p.m. the 67th Army Rock Band from Wheatland, WY entertained from the flatbed trailer. At 4:30 Dr. Doug Butler gave a presentation about the “Cowboy Code” in the Memorial Volunteer Center Education Room complete with singing and guitar playing of classic cowboy tunes, rope handling and a perspective afforded from a lifetime of his involvement, and love of, cowboys and the equine industry.
Visitors were encouraged to tour the facilities, ask questions of the volunteers and EPH founders Charlene and Brian Stephenson, and perhaps give a pet or two to the wonderful horses who currently reside at Horspice. The beautiful weather only increased the enjoyment of being outside in the sunshine and enjoying a cold drink and ice cream treat. As is the norm at EPH, the program was very family friendly with an emphasis on creating an environment of communication and relationships between people and horses.
A few daring attendees who wanted some heat relief participated in the reverse dunk tank. Like the horses, this device can’t help but spontaneously develop smiles on the participants and the witnesses alike. As the live music pulsed through the air, the event offered fun, education, fellowship and comradery making for a meaningful Saturday afternoon.
EPH wishes to thank all who attended and encourage anyone who would like more information or perhaps become more deeply involved to contact us at (308) 762-3848 or eph@bbc.net. While there always exists a need for volunteer efforts in the care of the horses and the facilities, the simple act of being near the horses has continuously proven to be remarkably beneficial for the horses and the people who interact with them. As was demonstrated on Saturday, a program like this doesn’t prosper without the unselfish and heartfelt efforts of the volunteers who consistently offer their support. Thank you doesn’t say enough to these amazing individuals who share the passion and goals of East Point Horspice. In their unspoken language, the horses always show their appreciation and mutual enjoyment of participating in the program.
