The Tipi Raiser’s horses are a part of our community. They have carried some of us for thousands of miles over the past decade. They are the “Tsunka Wakan” (“Sacred Dogs”, in the Lakota language). They are our relatives, our teachers, our friends, our allies and our inspiration. We do not charge anyone to ride one of our horses and we do our best to only ride them in a respectful way -- and during occasions in which they are a part of a larger effort or purpose.
There will be plenty of opportunities to ride . . . . . we talk a lot about “horse time”... and how it's different than modern world human time. Come ride with us in that way.
About the Tipi Raiser's Horse Program
+ Our herd is directly and deeply connected to the overall mission and purpose of The Tipi Raisers as a whole. They are a cultural and historical connection to Indigenous Peoples around the globe. They offer the possibility to heal and reconcile. And they help us carry out the work that we strive for each day.
+ Working with, and riding horses is a daily effort. The feeding, training, relationship building, clean up, pasture and shed maintenance, etc. require significant work and financial commitments. Come be a part of our horse program with an understanding of how those horses fit into our community and purpose, the work that goes into taking care of them and please do your part to contribute and be in balance with those efforts in some way.
+ For those familiar with riding horses at a dude ranch or tourist trail rides, the manner in which we ride is dramatically different from those venues.
+ Our staff are not going to tack your horse up – you will have to do that. We don't ride "nose to tail". And there is almost always an underlying higher purpose to being with the horses.
+ Our horses are not for entertainment, a social media selfie or simply something to do on a Saturday afternoon.
We incorporate the horses into our organization in honor of indigenous culture and because we believe they are Sacred Beings that are here to help us and to be in relationship with us.
Although it often times is not readily apparent, horses are deeply dependent on relationships with other living things, whether that is their herd, humans riding them or other beings in their environment. Our perspective is that when a human rides a horse -- and if that human does not take the time to create at least some sort of relationship with that horse, then the ride will be almost wholly dependent on the physical tools (bits, bridle, saddle, et. al.) being used to control the horse. So, get to know our herd. Our community. Come shovel manure, brush the horses, spend time at the farm and observe them, learn how you fit in with the community and how you can contribute to the herd AND the larger mission.
Through a variety of collaborative and multicultural projects, we strive to alleviate conditions of poverty, honor Indigenous wisdom, reconcile our shared history with the Peoples of the First Nations and empower youth with the leadership skills needed to affect social change in their communities.
"When a society loses the sacred - when everything has a monetary value, the commoditization of human life cannibalizes itself." Basil Brave Heart
In alignment with this Indigenous wisdom shared by our dear friend - and former Board President - Basil Brave Heart, all Tipi Raiser's events and programs - are FREE.We believe that those who join us in community receive the gift that is inherent in that experience and that they will give back to the best of their ability - in this way, we can all stay in balance.
The generosity of our partners, through donations and grants, funds our humanitarian aid, service trips, events and Gen7 youth leadership and development program.
