There is something about the sound of hooves in the dirt and horses neighing that feels like peace, a place where anxiety fades, confidence grows and hearts begin to mend. Horses have a connection with humans that heals in so many ways. Horses can help people get through some of their toughest battles by just being a friend and an escape. Whether it is through riding, brushing or just being out on the farm in their atmosphere, it can all be a peaceful and healing experience.
Riding horses is a great way to get exercise which positively impacts mental health, it also helps the body to balance and engage both sides in a symmetrical way. It requires the rider to be fully present and put away stresses from the outside world.
Dawn Carlson is the founder of Rhythms of Grace, a non-profit organization that helps all people who are struggling with disabilities, physical or mental, through horse riding and exposure around the barn.
Carlson is a certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor and Equine Specialist in Mental Health & Learning both through the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH). She is also trained in Natural Lifemanship level 1. Carlson started Rhythms of Grace because she wanted to do something fulfilling and share her love of horses and the connection they have with humans.
“I’ve always just had this great appreciation for horses and the human connection that we have with them and how that transfers over to daily living and our relationships with other humans,” Carlson said.
There is really something special about the connection between horses and humans. They require ones full attention whether on the ground or when riding. They are big, powerful animals and require confidence and patience. These attributes create a deep bond with the horse.
Mackenzie Sickels has been riding horses since she was eight and owned her own horse for seven years. Horses have been a safe place for her in years when she was struggling with anxiety.
“It was really, really bad when I was younger, and the only places I ever wanted to be were at church and at the horse barn, because being out there, it was just peaceful,” Sickels said. “Riding has always been a place my mind almost turns off from the worries of the world, and it just kind of focuses on what I’m doing and the horse I’m riding. So it’s impacted my mental health in that it gave me a lot of peace.”
Horses being a part of Sickels’ life from a young age has taught her so many valuable life skills and helped her through tough times.
“Riding has shaped me to be a persevering person who strives to succeed in everything I do. It taught me hard work, even when I don’t want to work hard,” Sickels said.
Carlson said that Ryhthms of Grace has clients with varying disabilities and ages with their youngest client just two-years-old. Some of the disabilities that are common are genetic mutations, cerebral palsy, dwarfism, ADHD, PTSD, depression, anxiety, trauma and more.
“It’s beautiful to see how they can learn to open up and have their needs met by learning how to communicate and trust on the back of a horse,” Carlson said.
Carlson shared a story of a boy who had been in a hospital almost his whole life. He came to Rhythms of Grace when he was just six-years-old. He is just 22 inches tall and will not get to be any bigger than that.
“He gained so much core strength to be able to sit up tall and be the tallest one in the room on the back of the horse when he’s always the smallest,” Carlson said.
That little boy said his first word on the back of a horse which was “Momma.”
Horses teach people far more than how to ride. They teach patience, trust, communication and hard work. They remind us to slow down, breathe and be present. The connection between horse and human has the power to heal from the inside out, a quiet kind of healing that happens not through words, but through understanding, perseverance and consistency.
My Experience With Horses
Des Moines, Iowa and the surrounding suburbs have many coffee shops. Anything from a franchise like Starbucks to small local coffee shops. I visited one of the many local coffee shops, Horizon Line Coffee, which opened in 2017. Since the coffee market is so competitive each shop must find a way to uniquely stand out from the rest. I looked at how Horizon Line Coffee has their own ways to be conspicuous in the highly competitive world of coffee.
I am a coffee enthusiast and always looking for new coffee shops with unique aspects. I had heard of Horizon Line Coffee for years now but never took the time to visit. I decided it was finally time and took a solo visit to Horizon Line located on Walnut St B, downtown Des Moines. It is towards the back edge of downtown which makes it feel cozy and quiet while being close to the business of the big city.
Parking was not ideal as the shop does not have its own parking lot. The only parking offered was meter parking. If you are anything like me, parallel parking can be quite the challenge on a busy day. And it just so happened that the day I visited
was a busy one. Once I finally got the courage to parallel park, I went in.
I was warmly welcomed by the staff the minute I stepped through the door. I walked up to the counter and both employees greeted me and asked what I would like. I told them this was my first visit, and they made suggestions and helped me decide what to get.
I was indecisive about what to get because it all looked so good. They have all types of coffee drinks and can make pretty much anything you ask for. I ended up going with the classic vanilla latte which was $5.50. After I paid, the register screen said I got one star. I asked what a star meant and they told me that every transaction is one star and once you have ten stars you get $5 off your coffee which I think is a great deal.
As I waited for my coffee, which took about four minutes, I looked around the shop. It gave a very comforting and welcoming vibe.
They had lots of seating for studying and/or working. They also had a lounge area that would be perfect for a coffee date with friends. I liked the lighting as it was not too bright or too dark, which is perfect for studying.
Right before I got my coffee, one of the employees told me about their Sustainability and Glass Reuse Program. Horizon Line believes that we should all play our part in protecting the planet and one way to do this is reducing plastic use. They also noticed that a lot of their customers were returners. Keeping those two things in mind, in 2019 they decided to fully use glass cups. If I bring my cup back when I visit, I get 25% off my coffee.
I got my twelve-ounce glass of coffee and was surprised that they did not put ice in it. My coffee was not cold but not lukewarm either. It was a good temperature that I liked. I enjoyed not having ice in my coffee because the glass had a lid that screws off, so it was easier to drink from without ice. The coffee flavor was great, very smooth, and tasted authentic.
Brynn Martin wrote a story about Horizon Line Coffee for the Viewfinder Magazine in 2019 called “On the Horizon.” Martin’s story gives information about the idea behind starting Horizon Line Coffee as she interviewed the owner, Brad Penna, and his business partner, Nan Ho. During Martin’s interview, Penna said,
“I joke around with people and I’m like, ‘We have a super simple business plan,’” Penna said. “I’m like, ‘make excellent coffee and work to be nice to people,’ and it sounds so simple, but it’s like, some of the simplest things are always evolving, always becoming better.”
I can confidently say I experienced both excellent coffee and kindness from the staff at Horizon Line Coffee. I recommend reading Martin’s story if you want more information on the background of the shop.
I highly recommend Horizon Line Coffee to any coffee lover looking for authentic and comfortable coffee shops with amazing drinks. Trying new coffee shops is not only fun but can also bring you a new community while supporting small businesses. If you love coffee or are even looking for a new place to study, check out Horizon Line Coffee in downtown Des Moines.
