Veterans Day Parade

Once a week, I get the privilege of grooming and riding a horse named Patch. This is thanks to a program called "Horses and Heroes" at the Shangri-La Therapeutic Academy of Riding (STAR). The volunteers at STAR help wounded veterans learn about caring for, and riding, horses. 

Vietnam veteran Chuck is helping me clean Patch's hooves [photo by Shawn Millsaps]

They are capable of handling any disability from blindness, to deafness, to paralysis, to PTSD. I've seen them regularly lift a wheelchair-bound veteran, who has difficulty holding himself upright, onto a large horse named Sampson. They also work with disabled children and troubled teens. They even bring miniature ponies and donkeys to rest homes and schools. STAR is passionate about the healing power of working with horses. I've experienced it firsthand. Every week I watch veterans' faces light up interacting with these beautiful animals. And of course, there's my personal joy from seeing Patch every week.

Scratch him there long enough and he goes right to sleep [Shawn Millsaps]

Patch used to be part of a mounted search and rescue team. He's quite large compared to other horses I've ridden in the past. I think I heard that his name used to be Apache, but this got shortened to Patch because STAR already had a horse named Apache. But "Patch" also fits for the big guy because of his mottled skin coloring. He is unique among the horses at STAR because his mane is short and sticks straight up, like a mohawk. I've heard that with other riders, Patch can be a little temperamental, but with me he's always easy-going and responds well to every command. 

Weaving the cones [Shawn Millsaps]

Maybe this is because I bring him an apple every week, or maybe it's because I spend a lot of time scratching his favorite spot between his ears. It could also be because I ride him on Friday and he's looking forward to the weekend. Admittedly, I'm not much of a "horse whisperer," but I sure love spending time with him. 

I went through a couple horses before Patch. Most memorable was a horse named Largo. Largo is a beautiful Chestnut horse with a tattoo of a palm tree on his left hindquarters. Largo was a great horse too, and I think I had a pretty good rapport with him.

Largo is another awesome STAR horse

The only trouble I had with Largo was that he had an extremely uncomfortable trot. The horses we ride already know basic commands like "WALK," "TROT," "EASY," "BACK," and "WHOA." So, during our rides around the arena at STAR, we typically start off at an easy walk, then we build up to a trot. If our horse gets overly excited, we yell out, "EASY!" or "WALK!" to bring him back under control. During one fateful practice session, the girth of my saddle wasn't tightened enough when I tried bringing Largo around a curve in our oval arena at a brisk trot. Largo's trot is extremely bouncy, and I was having a hard time getting enough breath to yell out "EASY!" or better yet, "WHOA!" My saddle slowly rolled around Largo's barrel-like flank. I found myself riding parallel to the ground as I lost my grip on the horse and hit the hard gravel with my shoulder. Largo kept right on going as if to say, "well that's a load off! Trotting is so much easier now!" Luckily, I landed on my left, paralyzed shoulder which has no feeling. So, I barely felt any pain, and I got right back up on Largo for some easy walking--just to show him that he couldn't get rid of me that easy. 

Largo ultimately didn't work out and that's when I started riding my favorite horse. Patch has such a stately, gentle trot. It's a pleasure to ride him. When I first started riding, I had a STAR volunteer--most of the volunteers who work with us are also veterans--walking beside the horse to make sure there were no mishaps. With Patch, I've been allowed to ride independently, and I can't put into words what an awesome feeling it is taking him around the arena by myself. 

[Shawn Millsaps]

STAR does so much for disabled or troubled kids and for wounded warriors. Unfortunately, only a few veterans take advantage of the opportunity. So if, by some weird chance, you're a disabled veteran who's reading this blog (doesn't matter what your disability is) of any age, you live in the Knoxville area (STAR is located in Lenoir City), and you have any interest in horse back riding (you don't have to know anything about it), then please contact STAR!! www.rideatstar.com (865) 988-4711; POC: Robin Bowen, robin@bowensales.com (865) 806-9552. 

STAR volunteer, and Air Force veteran, Jim, helping my friend Mark with his horse Dan [Shawn Millsaps]

Chuck takes Patch and I around the arena once before I ride on my own [Shawn Millsaps]

STAR has both an indoor arena (pictured) and an outdoor arena [Shawn Millsaps]

Every year, STAR takes part in Knoxville's Veteran's Day parade. I was bummed to learn that we don't ride horses in the parade. Apparently, there was some concern about horse poop and the marching bands behind us. I say marching through a pile of horse manure is a good way for the marchers to build character and practice staying in formation. Instead, the veterans and STAR volunteers sat on hay bales in a trailer pulled by a pickup truck. Betsy and I pulled Grace out of school that day so she could ride with us. She loves being in the parade, waving at all the spectators, and hearing the marching bands and fire trucks. Hopefully, it helps STAR get a little more publicity for what they are trying to do for veterans.

Would be so much cooler if we were on Patch

"This parade is just for me!"

Daddy's girl

After the parade, everyone from STAR--about 10 of us--went to a sports bar called Double Dogs Chow House (if you live in Knoxville, it's located near the intersection of Hardin Valley and Pellissippi).

Interesting name for a sports bar

Just now noticed that there appears to be a dog house in front. I'm the most unobservant person in the world.

I brought in my Blendtec and Betsy asked the manager if it would be ok if they blended up my food. The manager said it would be no problem. They were really nice and accommodating there. I was worried about finding anything gluten free and remotely healthy at a sports bar but they have a decent menu. I was tempted to get a steak with a side of fries, but I thought this would make my blend too thick. So, I ended up getting a Greek salad topped with grilled chicken. 

That's a whole lotta green in that picture

At the end of the meal, we were all shocked to find out that the manager paid the entire bill!! On Veteran's Day there are so many businesses that bend over backward for veterans. Some are public about it like Krispy Kreme or Applebee's while other individuals show their appreciation for veterans in their own quiet way, like the manager at Double Dogs. It's always very humbling for me to witness the unquestioning gratitude of others for my military service. I wish this message could reach the many veterans who are homeless and/or contemplating taking their own life. I sincerely hope that the efforts of STAR and the healing powers of caring for their beautiful horses can, in some small way, help some of the veterans who are most in need.

[Shawn Millsaps]