BIDDEFORD — Lexi, a large, black mustang with a brown-tinged mane like ashen silk, was feeling antsy on Tuesday. It was late morning at the Ever After Mustang Rescue in Biddeford, and Lexi became bored with her walk around the circular outdoor pen; she whinnied once, and kicked up dirt with her front hoof, before jerking her head around to explore on her own terms.
But it was Kyra Wadley, a young girl not yet in her teens, who was in control.
“If you don’t want them to move, you have to give pressure,” said Wadley.
By asserting a slight amount of that pressure to the reigns, and the front of the horse, Wadley got Lexi under control and resumed her normal walk. It was a textbook example of what Lydia Boothby, an assistant at the rescue, advises youth who meet there four days a week: “You have to be calm, quiet and consistent,” said Boothby. “You’re always on top of their behavior.”
Wadley is one of a handful of children between the ages of 11 and 15 who are participating in the first-ever summer camp at Ever After. Mona Jerome, the rescue’s director, said the goal of the camp is to help the children grow into mature young adults, become effective communicators and self-directed learners, and to develop into informed thinkers ”“ attributes, she feels, that are attainable by working with horses.
“I always felt there were a lot of kids within a five-mile radius who would really benefit from something like this, but could never afford it,” said Jerome. “They’re too old for babysitters, but too young to work ”“ this is a good place for them.”
While the camp is only in its first year, however, the program is in trouble: Ever After is a non-profit run mostly by volunteers and relies on donations for much of its activity. That includes the new summer camp, and Jerome worries that if funds don’t become available in time, future camps may never take place.
“We sought some funds from private sources,” said Jerome. “We went to the City (of Biddeford) and they said we were approved for $6,000, but they had cuts, and so that (figure) came down. And we haven’t gotten anything yet.
“If we’re going to offer this again in the future, we need help.”
Jerome hopes it comes soon. She smiled on Tuesday while watching the eight children who were present walk their horses around a course inside the rescue’s main stable, each one strengthening their relationship with their assigned mustang, whose care is in their hands for the duration of the camp.
Carissa Wright signed up for the camp for a very simple reason: She loves horses. Since starting the program on July 5, Wright said that caring for her horse has taught her how to listen, follow directions and pay close attention.
“My horse is actually very easy to take care of,” said Wright. “We walk them alone now. We’re learning how to control them and groom them.”
Wright said the grooming is important, “because you can interact with the horse and bond with them more.
“It’s going to be sad when the program ends,” she said, “because we won’t get to see our horses anymore.”
Taking a break from cleaning the stables, one of the daily chores assigned to campers, Zac Fulton looked back on the lessons he’s learned about how best to deal with the occasionally temperamental animals.
One of his equine tips: “Let the horse come to you instead if you going to them,” he said. “You let them learn trust by knowing you’re not some kind of bad person.”
Others in the program have found that each horse has its own unique personality ”“ some with traits eerily similar to those of their human caregivers.
“My horse is just like me,” said Ginnie Hadley, with a grin. “She doesn’t like to stay still ”“ or listen.”
According to Jerome, eight area children were placed on a waiting list for the summer camp; a good indicator, she said, that there is sufficient interest in the program to keep it running. But interest doesn’t pay the bills, and her hope is that the rescue receives adequate donations to ensure its future. Those interested, she said, can call 284-7721, or send donations to the Ever After Mustang Rescue at 463 West St., Biddeford, ME 04005.
“I hope they find their better, gentler side,” said Jerome of the children currently in camp. “I hope they become better communicators.
“I don’t want the program to end,” she said. “There’s something about a horse that brings out the best in us.”
— Staff Writer Jeff Lagasse can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 319, or at jlagasse@journaltribune.com.
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