Consumers served by CTN gallops to Serenity Equine Facility

Don’t mind us, we’re just horsing around.

Consumers from Community Ties North trotted up to Serenity Equine Facility in Essexville on March 27 to interact with some of the 30 horses housed there.

CTN has been visiting Serenity for the last few months, getting to the horse farm once to twice a month (weather permitting) to give consumers a different and unique activity.

“It’s a really good, new experience for them,” said Community Ties North Coordinator Melissa Gray. “That’s part of what we want to do at CTN, something that they want to do, but don’t have the opportunity to do that often.”

During their time there, consumers are able to pet and groom the horses and play with some of the other animals on the farm. They also help with barn chores, such as cleaning the barn and stalls and helping lead some of the horses into the stables.

Serenity Equine Facility Owner Kennedy Gollin is happy to welcome consumers to meet with the horses as this is something she prides herself and her facility on doing – helping others.

“It’s what I’ve always wanted to do,” Kennedy said. “Being able to use the horses to help people in any way is very fulfilling for us and hopefully therapeutic for the consumers.”

Melissa says consumers enjoy their time at Serenity, even those who were a little reluctant.

“One of our consumers was hesitant and a little afraid of the horses at first,” Melissa said. “But once he saw everyone else interacting and petting the horse, he decided to try and ended up really enjoying himself.”

Kennedy’s experience with the consumers has been positive, having them meet and feed the horses, as well as showing them how to do tricks, such as making the horses “smile.”

“They seem to really enjoy it,” Kennedy said. “Even if they don’t interact with the horses, they just love seeing them and being outside in the sunshine.”