With so many different activities youth can become involved in, there’s one that’s quite unusual. It’s Desert Moon Youth Equestrian Services, which offers equine services to the urban community.
“We are here in the heart of the inner city,” said Sahara Williams, executive director and president of Desert Moon Youth Equestrian Services. “The kids live right around the corner and they feel it’s a part of their community. Kids will come and they don’t want to leave.”
Desert Moon is a non-profit organization providing three years of equine, or horse, services to the Westside community. Its goals are to build safer neighborhoods by promoting educational and career opportunities in the equine industry, developing healthier communities by offering therapeutic riding programs to people with emotional, behavioral and mental challenges, fostering stronger families by parent-child bonding and character building.
Its mission is to also work with inner city kids and expose them to the equine industry so youth can stay out of trouble. According to Williams, Desert Moon helps develop children’s passion for horses so they can direct their attention towards something positive.
Currently there are three programs available at the facility, Discovery 101-Horse and Pony Workshops, Courses 201 to 401 and Urban Youth 4-H Horse Club.
Through Equestrian Discovery 101 youth spend a couple of hours with their families on Saturdays learning about horses through hands on activities. Kids learn about different breeds and colors and also how to groom, saddle and wash a horse.
Courses 201 to 401 exposes youth and adults to six-week riding courses. Students learn safety guidelines, how to handle and saddle their horses and techniques for riding safely including positioning, hand movement, cues and body control.
Urban Youth 4-H Horse Club enables participants to compete in competitions at the County and State Fair.
In past competitions the participants have won first, second and third place in various contests.
“The children make me extremely proud of them. I just love learning from the kids,” explained Williams. “I love helping and encouraging them. I truly enjoy running this program.”
With the numerous services provided, some feel if Desert Moon Youth Equestrian Services were not available on the Westside community, many youth would be unable to participate in the equine industry.
Parent Curtis Tunin said location was one of the key reasons his daughter attends Desert Moon.
“I was searching for (equestrian services) in Martinsville but then I found out there was one closer to home,” said Tunin. “There are a lot of (African-American) children involved. The inner city children make this program unique.”
Since it is uncommon for African-Americans to be involved in equine activities, some people believe most Black people are not participants in the industry.
Williams reminisced about a Black girl who quit riding horses because she believed other African-Americans did not participate. The young girl stated, “we (Black people) don’t do this.”
“That was hurtful to me,” Williams said. “We want to break down those myths. We ride through the community to show there are Black cowboys and cowgirls.”
Despite how other youth feel, Abigail Webster is a 10-year-old participant whose friend introduced her to Desert Moon and she has enjoyed riding ever since.
“I get to work with real animals that I communicate with,” explained Webster. “I love it! This is amazing.”
Not only are riding lessons offered but fundamental life skills are also taught.
“This program has helped me become more focused,” Webster stated. “I used to not listen to my mother. Now she only has to say my name once and I listen, because of what I’m learning here.”
Tunin said the facility has turned his once shy daughter into a confident individual.
“This program has helped her come out of her shell. Dealing with horses has allowed her to overcome certain fears. The program is great for her,” Tunin explained.
Tunin encourages parents to expose their children to the equestrian industry. He says the kids will never know about the program unless the parents open their children up to the experience.
“It gives kids the skills they need in order to deal with animals,” Tunin said. “Once children get exposure (to horse back riding) they can choose whether or not to stay involved. I am extremely happy about my choice of choosing Desert Moon Youth Equestrian Services.”
