How Rescued Horses Can Help Hurting Children

When Kim Meeder was growing up, she adored her parents.

She thought her father was a superhero. He didn’t wear a cape, fly, or leap tall buildings, but there wasn’t much else he couldn’t do. Her mother was the most beautiful and loving woman in the world, and Kim wanted to grow up to be just like her.

But when she was just nine years old, Kim lost both of her parents in a horrific tragedy that shattered her heart and left her disillusioned with God.

Kim has walked through the fiery furnace and she’s prayed, like we all do in the flames of terrible circumstances, “God, no, please. I can’t endure this.”

And yet, she’ll tell you that it’s in adversity that we meet Jesus Christ face to face.

She’ll also tell you that, although she wasn’t saved by a horse, she was saved by Jesus Christ on the back of a horse.

Many times after her parents’ death, she felt that there was no safer place to cry than with her face buried in the neck of her horse. Her horse never told her, “I’m sorry, you’re not pretty enough.” “You’re not smart enough.” “You don’t have the right clothes or the right friends.” Instead, when she saw Kim coming, her horse’s ears would perk up as if to say, “Ah, there you are! I’ve been waiting for you!”

The Lord has used horses to infuse Kim’s heart and mind with hope and healing. And He’s used Kim and her horses to bring hope and healing to at-risk children.

What can you learn about God from a horse? Try leading one. You can’t lead part of a horse, you lead all of it.

Likewise, God doesn’t want to lead part of your life. He wants to lead all of it.

He doesn’t want to heal and restore part of your heart. He wants to heal and restore all of it.

But God can only redeem and restore the pain we willingly give to Him. Jesus says to each of us, “I want all of you. Take my hand and let’s go. I’ll not only heal you, but I’ll use every ounce of pain you’ve survived to heal others who have suffered in similar ways as you.”

Kim was here a few years ago to share her story and to talk about her ministry. Since then, both her ministry and her own healing have continued to grow and to inspire.

We’re pleased to have Kim on our broadcast again for an update and to hear how the Lord is using horses to help kids discover a new path through life in Christ.

Kim Meeder and her husband, Troy, started the Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch, which rescues abused and neglected horses. They nurse the animals back to health and incorporate them in a riding program that ministers to hurting children.

Join us for Kim’s powerful story on “Bringing Hope and Healing Through Rescued Horses.” Listen on your local radio station, online, or on our free phone app.