Flying Horse Stables

History

Flying Horse Stable is located on the Johns Farm, first settled in 1857 in Johns Coulee. The five mile valley spans from river bottom to ridge top. Prior to 1857, artifacts tell of Native American tribal life, hunting and gathering.

The farm started with one milk cow, seven pigs, two oxen and a horse. Grandpa Anton and Grandma Elizabeth Johns raised wheat, corn, and oats and tended their orchard and vineyard. Several generations later, Grandma Vernetta at the young age of 91 still lives in the original log cabin.

As the farm was passed from son to son to daughters, many crops and animals supported the family. The two types of animals that have always been on the farm are the family dog and the horses.

The love of the land, the dog, and the horses have continued on to the current life and activities of the Flying Horse Stable. It was a natural transition from dairy farm to horse stable to equine facilitated programs.

The Flying Horse Stable became home to Equine Facilitated Programs in 2005. The programs started with a group of 25 at-risk high school students and has grown to offer programs in eight different areas serving youth to adults.

The traditions of the Johns Farm have carried over to all who visit or participate in the Flying Horse Stable programs. You will recognize some of those traditions from the smell of fresh baked bread or cookies when you arrive, to the welcome sign next to the swing by the old cottonwood tree, to the shared sense of ‘home’ to all that come.

Tour the Stables

The Flying Horse Stable has 8 activity centers throughout the Johns Farm.

Gathering spots
Start your day at the picnic table surrounded by Grandma's garden flowers, in the tack room, or the arena meeting room.

Horse Life Centers
Join the horses in one of the paddocks or pastures. They are good places to hang out with horses, be part of the herd, observe horse behavior, or see which horse chooses to work with you for the day.

Grooming & Health Care Stations
The process of grooming provides sequential learning memory work, sensory motor feedback, tactile information, communication, bio-feedback, and heart energy field vibrations. These repetitive activities re-pattern new brainstem development.

Learning about horse body parts, zones of sensitivity, massage, t-touch techniques, and health care support a nurturing relationship between you and your horse.

Indoor Arena, Outdoor Arena, or Round pen
Round pen work is the beginning of building a relationship. Your body position in space, alignment, and movement communicate your intention to the horse.

Obstacle courses are set up inside or outside for personal growth and relationship building. Leading exercises enhance positive leadership, partnership, planning and follow through. The rhythm and balance of life can be experienced while riding a horse. On the lunge line you can relax, close your eyes and go on a personal meditation journey.

Woodland Trails

The Flying Horse Stable has 3.5 miles of woodland trails. Trail walking or riding offers quiet time for reflections, peaceful relaxation, time to journal, or time to focus on your environment.

Creekside Life

The winding creek and bubbling springs around the farm give life to trout, water birds, crawfish, and are home to a variety of different shaped and colored rocks. Put on your wadding boots for a walk in the water.

The Goat Pasture

Goats are now a part of the Flying Horse Stable. They are curious, playful, and love to follow you anywhere.

Life Skills Course in the BACK 40
The purpose of the Life Skills Course is to develop emotional and physical fitness while you re-connect with nature, are active, and are involved with animals and wildlife. The course involves finding your way through a labyrinth of walking trails, leading or riding a horse, overcoming obstacles, making stick forts, building a fire, and sharing stories.

Staff and Volunteers

The Flying Horse Stable staff is comprised of five licensed professionals with backgrounds in therapeutic riding, equine facilitated activities and psychotherapy, social work, speech/language pathology, and both general and special education. They represent a team working in harmony with enthusiasm, adaptability, emotional agility, and expertise.

University interns and volunteers are required to complete an extensive training program. See more information on volunteer opportunities.

Credentials

Dawn Johns Swenson
School Psychologist, MS,SPS-II/Counseling
Equine Facilitated Mental Health Specialist
Path Intl. Certified Riding Instructor

Dawn is the owner/operator of Flying Horse Stable and provides program development, staff training, and horse management at the barn on a full-time basis.

Jewel Root
BS, Education
PATH Intl. Certified Riding Instructor
Equine Facilitated Experiential Learning

Jewel coordinates volunteer training and horse management. She is also available at the barn Monday through Wednesday.

Lisa Carmichael
MA-ED
Equine Activities Specialist, CBEIP-ED
Mental Health Educator
Photographer

Lisa provides photo art for therapeutic support along with horse management .She is at the barn on a full-time basis in the summer, and after school hours during the school year.

Patricia Sterling
Mental Health Therapist, MSSW, LCSW
Educator

Patricia is available for psychotherapy group facilitation.

Sue Retzlaff
Speech/Language Pathologist, MS, CCC-SP
Asperger consultant/group facilitator
Media consultant

Sue offers consultation and co-facilitation in Asperger support.

Horses

The therapy horses are thoroughly screened and given a trial period before becoming part of the Flying Horse Stable programs. They are partnered with and given daily attention for on-going development. Horses participate on a year round basis. The horses form the basis of the learning and healing that takes place. Together and individually, the herd members inspire, challenge, nurture and enlighten the participants who interact with them on a daily basis.


Black Russian–Arabian	Eddi–Thoroughbred	Foxy Lady–Pony of America


Gabe–Paint	Libby–Paint	Rinny–Holsteiner


Ritzy–Quarter Horse	Tucson–Quarter Horse	Zip–Quarter Horse


Willy–Arabian/Welsch Pony	Zach–Percheron/Friesian	Saddie

Volunteer Opportunities

As a volunteer, you will:

Help horses change lives.
Help children and adults gain confidence and self-esteem.
Form partnerships and friendships with animals and people.
Coach others in learning how to lead, groom, and ride horses.
Participate in the overall care of the horses and farm grounds.

What makes a good volunteer?

Be loyal and committed.
Understand your job.
Offer suggestions and ideas.
Arrive on time.
Know the schedule.
Give advance notice of absence.
Respect confidentiality.
Know the needs of the individuals.
Work as a team member.

You are making a difference in the lives of others.

Individuals interested in doing an internship at the Flying Horse Stable must:

have past experience with and/or knowledge of horses.
be enrolled in a university program pursuring a degree in an area of mental health or education.
submit an application with resume, course and hours requirements, semester dates and advisor contact information.

If you are interested in volunteering, contact us to be added to our mailing list, or click here for the volunteer application form. Forms can be e-mailed to dcjsflyinghorse@centurytel.net.

See the Schedule of Events page for Volunteer Training dates. Volunteers need to be 16 years of age or older.

Please provide your name, address, phone number, and e-mail address.

Please indicate your area(s) of interest:

Sessions (school programs, therapy groups, cancer support, family support, workshops).
Barn work.
Office help.
Fundraising assistance.

Resources

Flying Horse Stable partners with a number of community institiutions and organizations including:

La Crosse & surrounding County Human Services
Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center
The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Lutheran Social Services
Catholic Charities
Globe University
Western Technical College
Viterbo University
Family and Children's Center
Local counseling agencies
Area School Districts

Flying Horse Stable is a service learning site for:

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Western Technical College
Viterbo University
Globe University
Area colleges and universities

Helpful links:

www.horsesforjoy.com
Horses for Joy, Inc. is as 501 ( c ) 3 nonprofit organization that offers financial support to participant in the Flying Horse Stable programs

www.pathintl.org
Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International offers programs and trainings/certifications in equine-assisted activities.