New Beginnings Youth Ranch

On a recent trip to Middle Tennessee, I was lucky enough to run into a man by the name of Mike Archambault.  He and his wife Jo Ann are the owners of a working horse and cattle ranch called Cedar Creek Cattle Company, and the founders of an organization called New Beginnings Youth Ranch.  Currently the ranch is seeking to become a 501c3 not for profit Org.  And by the way things are quickly shaping up at New Beginnings, this should soon become a fact, and not a “wish”.

 New Beginnings is the brain child of Mike Archambault. It started to take shape several years ago with a desire that Mike had, stemming from his own troubled youth, to create a place for America's “ at risk ” kids to be able to start over.  It has since expanded into a multi national setting for children  from  adolescence to young adults to be able to come to from any part of the globe. The ranch has had children not only from the United States, but many foreign countries, come to participate in it's horse training program.

                       Mikes belief is that in this currently unstable economic world, all kids are at risk to some extent. He feels that when adults that have been at their jobs, some for twenty plus years, can be laid off and or lose their life's work, savings, jobs and homes, it certainly affects the minds and securities of even the most stable of families and homes.

             Using horses as a method to reach the hearts and minds of troubled kids is not a new idea, there are several places in this country alone that have resorted to alternative methods to reach children for all sorts of different reasons. For example many autistics, both young and old respond extremely well to

“ hippo ”  ( horse ) therapy.

             Using Godly principles and a well trained staff, New Beginnings is forging ahead in the hustle bustle of todays world and giving these at risk children a place that they can come to, and learn how to love and be loved, trust and be trusted.

             The ranch's staff is experienced in matching the individual personalities of these kids to a horse that has a suitable temperament for that particular child. Paired up with a suitable young horse, the kids learn not only how to handle, groom and care for the horse, they have to learn about patience, kindness and  horse / human psychology.  For instance, how a persons body language, attitude and general demeanor affects not only the horse, but translates and transfers to the people that they interact with on a daily basis.

             The ranch uses a combination of both domesticated ranch bred horses and wild American Mustangs brought in from the Bureau of Land Management's herds to teach children not only about horses, but also to teach them about patience, love and respect.

             Horses are a superb barometer of the current emotional state of the handler. Meaning that if you are upset and nervous, or stubborn and recalcitrant, you can pretty well guarantee that your horse will be matching your emotional state and be just as upset as you are. But.. if you will relax and become less aggressive, more passive, and calmer, y   our stubborn, mad or difficult horse will become a willing partner to your leadership, allowing you to see a nearly instant response to your improved attitude and emotional state

            New Beginnings Youth Ranch is teaching the at risk youth of today's hectic world to become kind, thinking active leaders instead of brash and re-active followers.

            Www.NewBeginningsYouthRanch.com

            www.NewBeginningsYouthRanch.org

Susan Ballard