Sponsor Rebel

Barn Name: “REBEL THE REDEEMED”

Registered Name: WPRS Grand Slams Baby Grand Storm

2014 Gelding AMHR/AMHA Currently 37”

Rebel is a solid black Gelding with one white sock and a striking white blaze down his face, sharp eyes, and a confident, independent attitude which inspired his name, Rebel the Redeemed. Rebel has an wonderful story of redemption. As a young colt he was extremely independent, sassy, and somewhat stubborn. We were not convinced he had the right temperament for the working on the ranch. So, due to this individualistic personality, we had considered re-homing him. However, as fate would have it one afternoon, James Howell entered the arena and took special interest in him. James took time to show a lot of patience with Rebel and soon the two had bonded. Rebel immediately began a new way of thinking with an 'eager to please' attitude. Within a few short days, Rebel loading in and out of trailers, stepping up on tubs, bouncing through mud puddles, and various other obstacles. Rebel continued training and became a 2018 art graduate and is now a vital part of the ranch program. It just goes to show what amazing things can happen when the right handler takes time with those who challenge the system. Rebel the Redeemed is one of our best program horses and loves his job. Thank you for considering Rebel.

Rebel and James (pictured above) during the first few days of training.

PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO DO THE $83 A MONTH OPTION, PLEASE GIVE US A CALL AT: 1-844-750-4985 OR 417-723-0148

By sponsoring one or more WPR therapy ponies, you are partnering directly with this healing ministry by contributing to the care of these life-changing animals–their foods, veterinary care, farrier, as well as contributing to the operating and construction costs of the retreat facility. As a WPR sponsor, you will receive a hoof-signed, frame-able picture of your sponsor horse(s) and a personalized autographed copy of Nita Horn’s memoir, No Fences: It Started with a Plastic Pony, all about the childhood vision that led to the 280-acre Whispering Ponies Ranch.

Whispering Ponies Ranch is a non-profit organization that employs mobile services with miniature equine assisted activities to help bring positive mental, physical, emotional, and restorative benefits primarily to children of abuse.

Every year, more than 3.2 million children in America are sex-trafficked, abused, abandoned, or neglected. One in seven Americans are sexually abused as children. Tragically, 1,500 to 2,000 children die each year at the hands of their caretakers. And the remainder are sadly disregarded or experience a combination of these abuses.

But there is hope for many of these victims through the partnership that Whispering Ponies Ranch (WPR) holds with YOU and the Royal Family Kids Camps (RFKC) and Teen Reach organizations. Since 1985, RFKC has been offering week-long specialized restoration camps and follow-up mentoring specifically designed to restore children of abuse who have become wards of the state. In the past, some kids could not benefit from these special services due to the cost-preventative nature of per-child campgrounds’ expenses. But AT WPR, ALL AMENITIES—from food services and lodging to expert recreational and counseling staff—ARE PROVIDED AT NO COST, which means no child ever has to be turned away. We can only do this because of our Pony Sponsors and VIP Founders Group members (the best people on earth!) who partner directly with WPR’s healing ministry by contributing to the operating and construction costs of the retreat facility that includes the care of these life-changing therapy horses—their foods, veterinary needs, farrier, and more.

This includes therapy use during specialized youth camps designed to help hurting youth rebuild trust and to feel the unconditional love they deserve. Our handlers use onsite therapy animal activities as well as camping elements such as climbing walls, fishing, bicycling, prayer trails and challenge courses to nurture abused children through modeling and teaching appropriate social behaviors so that they can begin regaining confidence in themselves and the world around them. This process is often slow and follow-up mentoring is often required over many years.

You can become a Pony Sponsor and/or join the VIP Founders Group where your generosity will go directly to providing for the programs and therapy animals that are part of this worthy ministry (and each year during the annual Defender Conference, WPR sponsors are honored in exclusive VIP Banquets and other settings where special honors, private meet and greets with world-renown speakers, and more highlight the achievements YOUR and WPR alumni giving has provided these precious children).