After countless doctor visits and years of pain and fear of the unknown, Ableidinger finally had an answer for what was wrong: Lyme disease. Although she now knew what was ailing her, the battle was far from over as she and her husband, Scott, struggled to find a treatment that worked.

“The pain in my joints and muscles was so excruciating that I lost the ability to move my body,” she says. “I couldn’t walk, feed myself, or even do something as simple as tie my shoes.”

Eventually, they found a treatment that worked for her. Two years later, she was able to move with less pain. As she realized she may be able to get some of her life back, one thought drove her: to get back in the saddle.

Finding New Purpose

Ableidinger, who was forced to retire from owning and operating a hair salon due to Lyme, looked for a new purpose for her life. And then she thought of 4-H.

“I grew up with 4-H,” she says. “While I was very active in both the 4-H Dog and Poultry Projects during my high school years, the Horse Project was too expensive. We had the horses, but we didn’t have a horse trailer, the money for lessons, or the expensive tack that was needed to participate in shows and events.”

Fueled by a lifelong love of horses, she and her husband decided this could be it—her new purpose. In 2017, a club leader in her area of Clark County in Washington state was retiring, and someone needed to take over the 4-H Horse Project.

“I saw it as my chance to give youth the opportunity that I never had,” Ableidinger says. With that, the Ravenna Riders were born.

Covering All Needs

But this isn’t just any 4-H club. The Ableidingers want to make it more affordable for kids to have an amazing experience of working with horses. They do this by providing most of the horses, tack and equipment out of their own pocket. 4-Hers pay a small monthly fee to help with feed if they use one of the Ableidingers’ horses.

“There are a few horses ridden by club members that are leased and boarded at neighboring barns,” she says. “Some of those riders have tack that they borrow from the horse’s owners, buy themselves at tack sales, or are supplied through generous donations from those in our horse community.”

Ableidinger also gives weekly lessons to her 4-Hers—for free. She even picks up and drops off some of her club members so they can come to meetings and lessons.

“It’s pretty much my full-time job even though I’m a volunteer,” she says. “But I love what I do, and it’s reward enough to see our club members learn and grow in their horsemanship and witness how much they enjoy being a part of the club.”

Breed of Choice

Most of the horses in the barn are Gypsy Vanners; the Ableidingers bought their first two Gypsy yearlings in 2015 and never looked back.

“They have the best temperaments,” Ableidinger says. “They are like big puppy dogs that want to be with you, and they will work very hard for their rider or handler.”

While it’s common to see children with Gypsy horses in the United Kingdom, Gypsy breeds fetch a high dollar in the United States.

“The cost of one of these horses makes them unaffordable for youth,” Ableidinger says. “There are very few youth riders in the breed in our country. We wanted to change that. We felt passionate about putting these amazing horses into a program for youth to enjoy and work with.”

Back in the Saddle

Since their yearlings were too young, Kimberlee Tilton of LCR Gypsies gave them a Gypsy mare, Mia, as a care-lease to use as the first project horse. The following year, the

Ableidingers bought her. They now have six Gypsies in the program, along with a few draft crosses and several Quarter Horses.

Ableidinger also had a personal dream to ride again. In 2019, she and Mia competed at the Oregon State Fair in a freestyle class with her 4-Hers cheering her on.

Decked out in lime green (the Lyme awareness color), they competed to Avril Lavigne’s “Head Above Water,” a song Lavigne wrote about the devastating disease. It was a completion of a dream for Ableidinger, and the smile on her face as she performed said it all. She was back in the saddle and sharing her love with youth.

Her life has purpose again, making the hard days that she still has due to Lyme disease easier to handle. As for the 4-H Horse Project youth, she and Scott are providing priceless experiences they will never forget.

This article about the 4-H Horse Project appeared in the October 2021 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Overcoming Lyme Disease to Give Back to 4-H Youth appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

“Nurturing Community is core in all three Manna Pro partnerships. Whether it’s through supporting the healing power of horses with SpiritHorse International equine assisted therapy programs, providing 4-H youth resources to drive and succeed in life, or assisting in keeping animals off The Livestock Conservancy Conservation Priority list, we’re honored to to share our partnerships with organizations who care about nurturing others and the community as much as we do.” shared Elizabeth Frichtl, Associate Brand Manager, Homestead & Equine, Compana Pet Brands.

SpiritHorse International offers equine assisted therapy

Manna Pro proudly partners with SpiritHorse International in its mission to provide equine assisted therapy to help individuals with special needs in achieving their full potential. In addition, the organization provides support, training, and certification to SpiritHorse Centers worldwide.

“As one who has committed more than 30 years to working with people with Special Needs, I know firsthand that working together, we can do anything. I have heard hundreds of children speak their first words, some as late as their late teens. I have seen hundreds of people walk when doctors said they never would,” shared Ric Lehman, Executive Director, SpritHorse International. “Miracle after miracle, because a group of people came together in SpiritHorse, in a common cause improving other’s lives. I’ve witnessed the power that can result from working together and the exponential benefits to the entire community as a direct result of those efforts. So we dedicate ourselves to bringing people together in a common cause. That’s what I call Nurturing Community.”

4-H provides youth pathways with Manna Pro

Together with 4-H, Manna Pro helps to provide opportunities for all youth so they can succeed in life, regardless of their circumstances.

Currently 55 million youth are challenged with a widening opportunity gap in America. 4-H programs help kids throughout the United States get equal access to resources necessary to thrive.

“A core component of all 4-H programming nationwide is a focus on community and providing a pathway for youth to make positive change, not just in the future but right now. By providing young people with an inclusive and accessible space, 4-H is enabling youth to discover their spark and passion projects where they can truly make an impact and grow the skills needed to succeed in life and future careers,” related Heather Elliott, Senior Vice President & Chief Development Officer, National 4-H Council.

“4-H is extremely proud to partner with Manna Pro to create more opportunities for the next generation of Champions passionate about animal care. Manna Pro’s commitment to nurturing community and building the leaders of tomorrow aligns perfectly with 4-H’s mission to give all young people access to opportunity and a community of belonging,” continued Elliott.

Livestock Conservancy protects endangered livestock and poultry with Manna Pro

Manna Pro assists The Livestock Conservancy, America’s leading non-profit organization devoted to protecting endangered livestock and poultry from extinction. Included in its mission are more than 150 breeds of turkeys, geese, chickens, ducks, rabbits, pigs, sheep, horses, goats, cattle, and donkeys.

Join Manna Pro on Instagram at Manna Pro Homestead & Manna Pro Equine and Facebook at Manna Pro Homestead and Manna Pro Horse.

About Manna Pro

Manna Pro is proud to be part of the Compana Pet Brands portfolio. With roots dating back to 1842, Compana Pet Brands is a global leader in pet care and nutrition dedicated to enriching the lives of pets and their families today and for generations to come. Based in St. Louis and employing approximately 700 passionate pet lovers around the world, the company manufactures and markets more than 20 household brands in dog and cat, backyard chicken, equine, small animal and indoor bird categories. Compana believes pets are an important part of the family and its broad portfolio of brands focuses on care and wellness solutions to improve the quality of life for pets of all shapes and sizes throughout their lifespans. For more information visit companapetbrands.com or follow Compana on LinkedIn. For more information about Manna Pro visit www.mannapro.com.

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