Under the direction of Wounded Warriors Weekend Foundation Director of Outdoor Adventures, John McCullough, in collaboration with Jorstad Performance Horses (JPH) owner and trainer, Gail Jorstad, the inaugural “Wounded Warriors Wild West Weekend” is in the books.
The Wounded Warriors Weekend Foundation is a Canadian non-profit charity organization which helps veterans and serving members who have their lives irreparably changed by either physical and/or mental health issues. The Wounded Warriors Wild West Weekend combined the therapeutic benefits of horses with ranch experience.
On Thursday, Oct. 1, three wounded warriors arrived at JPH to experience ranch life. The warriors learned to feed, water, groom, work the horses from the ground, saddle, ride and cut steers on horseback.
The warriors enjoyed home cooked meals, daily trail rides, and nightly campfires. They were treated to a trip to the Temple Gardens Mineral Spa and ended the weekend with a trail ride up into the Dirt Hills, the World’s largest “glacier push” hills.
When asked their overall opinion of the “Wild West Weekend” experience, one of the warriors commented, “I was extremely emotional leaving the ranch. It was beyond therapeutic and extremely helpful for myself going through my particular situation…I thoroughly enjoyed my time and appreciated the importance and attentiveness I also need to bring to myself.”
Many individuals contributed to the success of the weekend. We would like to acknowledge and thank Gail and Jordan Jorstad for their instruction; Amanda Bartel for her cooking and so much more; Brent Horn of Wainwright, AB (horse, heel-o-matic, meal and roping instruction); Jessica Jelinski (horse and meal); Garry Nelson of Coronach (horses and hauling); Lazy J Trading Co. for the “wild rags” at the discount; Apple Saddlery for the totes; Brenda and Ed Duncan for the use of their beautiful RV; Vaughn and Dallas Warken of Big Beaver for their wonderfully cooperative steers; Alan, Logan, and Jessie Young of Midnight Sun Ranching for hosting the final trail ride on their property; and finally the Wounded Warriors Weekend Foundation and Sask Lotteries for their financial support.
If you would like more information on the Wounded Warriors Weekend Foundation or would like to donate, please see woundedwarriorsweekend.org or [email protected]
