Local elected officials gathered with organizational supporters Saturday at a rustic setting within the city of Huntington Beach to raise awareness and funds for a local nonprofit that rescues horses then uses them to provide tranquility to students, first responders and others who could benefit from Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP).
The Cattle Baron’s Ball was held at the Red Horse Barn at the Huntington Central Park Equestrian Center (HCPEC). Guests came dressed in this year’s “Yellowstone” theme.
Free Rein rescues, rehabilitates and rehomes horses that have been abused and enlists their incredible “horse sense” in Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy and Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL) programs, said Justine MaKoff, the group’s co-founder, and President.
L-R Justine Makoff, Mary Behrens, owner/operator of the HCPEC, and Jay Dablow, Free Rein volunteer and event MC.
She said Saturday’s event raised money to support the year-round efforts of the foundation, which will turn ten years old next year.
The Foundation uses rescue horses in the treatment and training of humans is a non-traditional therapeutic approach. Activities provide opportunities to explore ways of managing difficult situations, fears, attitudes, and ways of being in relationships and society.
“Free Rein’s Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy programs provide incredible benefits for people suffering from anxiety, depression, anger management issues, drug addiction, grief and loss, and trauma,” she said.
During EAP sessions, mental health treatment goals and issues are addressed through activities that aim to reflect real life issues. As counseling and therapy are part of the process, our EAP professionals are obliged to follow a code of ethics such as respecting confidentiality and privacy of the client/s, as with any psychotherapeutic modality.
“Our Equine-Assisted Learning Programs are focused on children and teenagers who learn valuable life lessons with the help of our horses. In our 8-week (one session per week) EAL program, kids learn about themselves, their relationships with other people, and about their interaction with the world around them.
L-R Justine Makoff, Mary Behrens, owner/operator of the HCPEC, and Jay Dablow, Free Rein volunteer and event MC.
“Our proprietary curriculum, developed by Free Rein’s founder, Dr. Carole Harris, specifically addresses issues that children and teenagers face, including peer pressure, bullying, drugs, gangs, leadership, and self-confidence,” she said.
Makoff said Dr. Harris approached her with the idea a decade ago and together, they co-founded the organization. “Now, if you can imagine nine years ago equine therapy when she came and told me her dream I thought she was a little cuckoo. Because I hadn’t really heard of people doing therapy with horses. So back then it was pretty new,” said Makoff in an interview with ENE.
“But I talked to her quite a bit since and I have a deep desire to help and work with underserved youth. I’ve been doing a lot of work with the Los Angeles Police Department and taking kids surfing and hiking and ice skating because I really believe if you expose individuals to other opportunities and open their eyes to what’s possible, you can change lives,” she said.
“I also ride and love horses. So the thought of being able to take the two things that I’m passionate about and bring them together was really attractive to me. So we started nine years ago. Originally it was called Horse Nation Inc. We had a whole rebranding about five or six years ago and changed it to Free Rein Foundation,” she said.
Our very first group started with the assistance of former Huntington Beach Police Chief Handy, said Makoff.
In the past decade, Makoff said the Free Rein Foundation has rescued several wild Mustangs. She said the organization keeps between a dozen and 20 horses at their facility within the city limits of Huntington Beach.
She said the multi-acre facility also includes “an urban forest. You can’t even believe its in a beach city community when you are out there,” she said.
“It’s so peaceful and private and we allow anything to be a part of the client’s stories. So, whatever is happening inside our pastures with the horses and outside the pastures with the bunnies, the birds, the trees, whatever, it all really becomes part of the fabric of our healing journey,” said Makoff, saying the facility is enjoying rapid growth and acceptance.