Bright Star Ranch

This is an interesting little piece of Louisiana history/culture that also touches on (a small part) of why we have to stop lessons/activities when it gets to certain temperatures. Being a PATH certified center holds us to certain standards that other places don't have to follow. All of these standards are in place for the health and safety of our participants, horses, and staff. Without all three functioning properly, we cannot give the BEST services and that's what we strive for! Say a little prayer for our herd. These hot days have been rough on them without the extra work. 🥹They are more ready for cooler weather than any of us!!

The animals pulling carriages through the French Quarter are not horses. They are mules, and that is the law's doing. 🐴

New Orleans used to use horses. In the summer heat and the wet Gulf air, horses died. In the 1980s the city, working with carriage operators and a veterinarian, made the change — and set a temperature rule with it. When it hits ninety-five degrees, the animals come off the street. Full stop. Working hours are capped, rests are required, and the city and the Louisiana SPCA both watch.

The reason mules replaced horses is not sentiment; it is physiology. Mules handle heat and humidity far better. They are more surefooted on wet cobbles and streetcar tracks. Their hide is thicker against the insects. They live longer.

And there is one more thing, which every driver in the Quarter will tell you in the same words: a mule will not work himself to death. A horse, asked hard enough by someone he trusts, will keep going until something breaks. A mule simply stops, plants his feet, and looks at you.

The stubbornness people mock in mules is the thing that keeps them alive.

Have you ever worked with a mule?

Getting in a little work this Labor Day with a couple of our Jr. Volunteers. They helped us get all of our appeal letters ready to mail out! We're so thankful for this group and their enthusiasm for helping out at the ranch!

Today is our sweet Sophie girl's birthday!! 🎂

She may be the smallest in the herd but she loves with a BIG heart!❤️ She is slightly mischievous (can open all kinds of things), beautifully unique (with different colored eyes), unbelievably sweet, patient and does a good job at making sure we keep things in order around here.

Everyone loves and looks after Sophie (horses and humans.) Many may not know but she has lost her sight in the last several months and she is as independent as ever!

Today is Sophie's day and we want everyone to join in and wish her a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!🎈🎈

We have had a lot going on and there's some fun things coming up too! Check out this month's edition of The Hoofbeat so you don't miss out on anything!

The hoofbeat

As usual, we had a great time at our Books in the Barn event yesterday! This was the first one for the school year to get us back in the swing of things. If you missed it, there will be more throughout the year. Just keep an eye out for signups!

We also had a great group of first time volunteers and they all did a FABULOUS job!!!❤️

Today is Mrs. Debbie's birthday!!! 🎉🎉🎈🎈Join us as we celebrate her and all she's done to make Bright Star Ranch a place for people to come and find peace and healing.

If you would like to wish her a happy birthday in person, you can register for Books in the Barn, which is happening TOMORROW! We decided to extend the registration deadline to this evening since half of our area was without internet yesterday.

Sign up now and come give Mrs. Debbie all the birthday wishes in person. She would LOVE to see you there!!

https://www.brightstarranch.net/event-details/books-in-the-barn-6

Don't forget we've got registration open for 2 events coming up. August 6th - Books in the Barn
Deadline - Tuesday, August 4th
Link - https://www.brightstarranch.net/event-details/books-in-the-barn-6

Nov. 21st - Holly Days Festival
Early Bird Vendor Deadline - September 1st
Link - https://forms.gle/nSrBU47WJ6DcNhbp7

What better way to prep for school to start back than reading to a horse!? That's right, Books in the Barn is back!

Next Thursday, August 6th from 3:30-5:30, we will be opening the barn doors for your kids to come and read. To reserve your spot, click on the link to submit your time/horse and then follow the instructions to send your fee. After that, you will be good to go!

We look forward to seeing you there! Click here to claim your spot... https://www.brightstarranch.net/event-details/books-in-the-barn-6 !

Introducing Bright Star's very first group of Jr. Volunteers! They came out today and trained to be able to help out with all kinds of tasks around the ranch that will not only make things easier here but also help them develop a variety of skills as they grow. They already love this place and we love that they are willing to pour back into it. (And that their parents are willing to bring them!)

This is a phrase (or a variation of it) that I use a lot during lessons. Unfortunately throughout life, things often happen TO us that we may not have brought on ourselves. It's during those times that it can be tough to walk through the feelings involved and help people. Whether it's anger, pride, disappointment, fear, etc. I try to remind them that all we have control over is our own actions and that's where we have to start. Once we shift the focus onto what we CAN control and work from there, it makes it easier to move forward.