By Ashley Lombardo
37 horses, as well as goats, Koi fish, Chihuahuas and birds. Te ranch sits on 15 acres of land in St. Augustine.
T When Lisa received a difficult
diagnosis in 2010, doctors encouraged her to find an outlet—an activity that would help give her something to fight for. “So I found two horses, one for each of us, and life as we knew it changed for the better,” Richard says. Since then, the Kirkmans have rescued 14 horses.
Te Kirkmans have been rescuing for
three years, and the ranch has been incorporated for about two. “Lisa and I frequently talk about what we want to do with our lives and it always comes back to two things—helping people and horses,” says Richard.
he Family Horse Ranch and Rescue, operated by Lisa and Richard Kirkman, houses a total of
Te ranch offers the opportunity for
students to collect volunteer hours and a place for families to board their horses as well as trails, beach and moonlight rides, family lessons, and summer camps.
First Coast families can succumb to
their wild side here, but, more importantly, a visit to the ranch helps to support the Kirkmans’ wish to better the lives of the families who frequent the ranch and the horses that live there. In addition to helping sustain a meaningful cause, interaction with horses teaches children confidence, responsibility and how to properly handle animals. “In a nutshell, a horse can offer a child friendship. Te horse listens and does not judge or offer advice, so kids have the ability to work through tough situations,” Richard says.
Felecia Walker and her 14-year-old
daughter Ciara, who is a jumper, spend almost every day at the ranch. “It’s just fantastic,” says Felecia. “Rich and Lisa are completely devoted. Tey spend 12- to 14- hour days out there and are happy about it.” Since her involvement with the ranch, Felecia now owns four horses and credits the ranch for many positive changes in Ciara. “My daughter was going through a difficult time after I got divorced, and it was really a bad situation, but she just blossomed out there.”
While watching another young rider Photos courtesy of Family Horse Ranch and Rescue HERITAGE PUBLISHING, INC. © 2013
do a few jumps on a horse the group affectionately calls Ripley because you can “believe it or not,” Katie, 16, says,“Riding teaches kids confidence and it really helps
families bond because it takes a team to make sure that everything goes right.” Katie is a volunteer and boarder at the ranch, and her favorite activity is trail riding.
Te Kirkmans are not only helping
children realize their full potential, but they are helping the horses. One rescued horse, Sky, found a safe home at the ranch. After surviving three weeks trapped under his collapsed barn after Hurricane Katrina and a gunshot wound to the chest, he is a survivor. Nikki Nelson, horse trainer and long-time friend of the Kirkmans says, “It’s amazing what they are doing. Some of these horses couldn’t have gone anywhere else; they would have just put them down.”
If you’d like to visit the ranch, prepare
yourself for adventure. Te Kirkmans ask that you call ahead and bring sunscreen, jeans, bug spray and closed-toed shoes. For more information, visit
familyhorseranch.com.
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