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12 July/August 2014
From Fearful to ARLE A Colorado couple breeds Trakehners for a different kind of task.
WHEN THE ECONOMY TOOK A TURN FOR THEWORSE in 2001 and 2002, and again in 2008, the sport horse breeding industry was hit hard. Many breeders cut back their operations and some went out of business completely. This Colorado couple weathered the eco- nomic storm in a unique way. With years of experience in both psychotherapy and breeding Trakehner horses, they have— seemingly magically—merged the two. Richard and Judy McMahan of Greeley,
Colorado, have blended his 35 years of education, coaching, counseling and thera- py expertise with her passion for horses to develop an equine- assisted therapy pro- gram that is healing lives through each encounter between horse and human. The concept may sound like “hocus pocus” but the McMahans are helping to heal countless human hearts as they carefully pair each pa- tient with a loving yet proud 1,500-pound Trakehner. The success of their program lies in the bond that develops between the two. The powerful healing that ensues dur- ing their sessions together is nothing short of amazing.
All photos by Jill Bailey / Flare of Art Photography D
By Kristi L. Helzer
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