Have you ever felt the freedom of getting on the back
of a horse? That experience of exhilaration,
independence, and confidence is what Ron Long of
Pineview, Georgia, is sharing with adults and children
with physical disabilities and special needs. His new
ministry, Sassy Saddles Gate of Hope Ministries, was
started in September 2008 to touch the lives of the
young and old with the love of Jesus Christ through
the use of His amazing creatures—horses. The
ministry, with six full-time volunteers and 18
beautiful horses, offers therapeutic horseback riding
as well as the hands-on care of horses.
Ron Long, a youth leader at Mt. Pleasant Baptist
Church, says that God took his life-long love for
horses and turned it into a ministry.
"The idea for the ministry started when some
of the kids in my youth group wanted to come out and
ride my horses. I had four horses at the time. About
this time, I had a heart attack, and these kids came
out while I was recovering and fed my horses and
worked the horses and cleaned up after them. These
four young people from my church inspired me with
their dedication. My health improved, and we prayed
for horses and now have 18 to use for ministry,"
Ron said.
"I've had horses all of my life. God told me,
‘This is your calling. Go with it. I did what God
told me to do, and He has just multiplied it by leaps
and bounds. This ministry is the biggest blessing God
has ever put on me. We use the horses to work with
special needs kids, kids with Down Syndrome, Muscular
Dystrophy, Attention Deficit Disorder, and others.
Horses help young kids and adults, too. When one of
our riders, who is wheelchairbound, got up on a horse
for the first time, he said, ‘I feel like I've got
legs.' I've seen God turn the lives around of some of
these young people," Ron added. Sassy Saddles has
a trained and professional volunteer staff, which is
prepared for the growth of the program. Volunteers
include Leah Cihak, Rachael Lilley, Katie Bennett, and
Jon Hancock. Ron and Leah are working on certification
in hippotherapy, a physical therapy treatment
utilizing horses' movements for the physically
challenged.
The equine ministry takes all proper safety
precautions. Riders under 18 must wear helmets. Riders
who are disabled are surrounded by three volunteers,
one leading the horse and two sidewalkers.
As well as helping those with disabilities, Sassy
Saddles is also ministering to the able-bodied.
"We can take horses and ponies to area churches
and give horse and pony rides and have our young
people give testimonies. Youth groups, families, and
individuals can also call to set up a time to come
down to Pineview and ride. This summer we're planning
to have a horse camp for kids. We're located 10 miles
south of Hawkinsville. W. A. Harvey and daughter-
in-law Lisa May allow our ministry to use their nearby
property for trail riding," Ron said.
Ron's dream is to build an arena, a round pen, and
a barn on his property. He hopes to have it
accomplished in the next year and a half.
If you would like to volunteer your time to rake
straw, clean out stables, or help with the riders,
call Ron Long at 229-313-9513.
Sassy Saddles Gates of Hope Ministries needs
donations to help with feed, upkeep, vet bills, and
tack for riders. The ministry is in the process of
obtaining non-profit status. If you would like to make
a donation, please send your check to: Sassy Saddles
Gate of Hope Ministry, Rte 1, Box 290, Pineview, GA
31071. Call Ron at 229- 313-9513 for more information.
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