RAIN now operates on a 40-acre horse ranch located in the Uintah Basin in northeastern Utah. We consider this land sacred, a place of healing. Currently seven horses, five American Paint and two quarter horses, occupy this ranch for our equine energy program. We hold workshops on Uinta Springs Ranch for anyone who wants to experience the Power of the Whispering Horses.
We utilize Uinta Springs ranch facility to provide services for youth and families; we are working with the Ute Tribe community to target troubled youth. We incorporate programs and services that correspond to the Medicine Wheel and the ancient concepts and interpretations of it, which we think better serve native people. This holistic approach is effective when healing inter-generational historic trauma, substance abuse (methamphetamine abuse in particular), and other problems facing native people.
Uinta Springs Ranch facilities: Our facilities include a healing grove for prayer and meditation, a sweat lodge, fire pits for ceremonies, a medicine wheel, and beautiful camp sites for visitors. We are currently raising money for a community building that will include a commercial kitchen, a meeting or lecture hall, indoor sleeping quarters, and bathroom and shower facilities.
Equine Healing: Kathleen McGarry says it best, “Working with the sacred nature of horses brings people into connection with their emotional power, familial and tribal values, culture, ceremony, spirituality, and language. The horses help to release anxiety and stress and ease conflict. Individuals will develop responsibility, integrity, leadership skills, and respectful boundaries, while understanding the relationship the tribe had with the horse through songs, stories, dances, and art.”
Garden: Gardening is all encompassing. Our model grow-box garden and community garden are designed for many purposes: to encourage tribal members, especially troubled youth and their families, to grow and cook healthy foods and to learn business skills such as selling organic produce to tribal schools, farmers markets, the tribal grocery store, and restaurants. Plans are in order for a seasonal high tunnel this spring, which will extend the growing season in our area and enable a greater amount and wider selection of produce. We are currently looking into hydro-turbine generators, including hydroponic facilities.
History of Uinta Springs Ranch (by Forrest Cuch)
Located on what is called Indian Bench in Uintah County, this beautiful ranch is an inheritance gift from my Great Uncle Billy Chapoose. My mother cared for Uncle Billy during his latter years. He lived in our home for many years and served as a grandfather to me. Uncle Billy left the land to my mother, Josephine LaRose and her sister, my Aunt Mary Mae Murray. Following my mother’s death in 1970, the property was left to me. I bought Aunt Mary’s share shortly thereafter.
Uncle Billy lived to be close to if not beyond 100 years. His actual age cannot be determined because it is my understanding that his birth certificate was lost to a fire in one of the government buildings housing such information. What we know about him is that he was a very traditional man. He was very soft spoken and always kind, a true gentleman. He was an excellent speaker of the Ute language, and he knew many of the old Uintah Ute words that have long since been lost. In addition to being a singer, he was the fire keeper for the most sacred Ute ceremony, the Ute Sundance. At one time, he was married. His wife preceded him in death. He also had a brother named Scott who also preceded him in death. Under my mother’s care, he became a well known figure in downtown Roosevelt. Over the weekends, he would stay in the Hotel Roosevelt where they took good care of him. He would spend countless hours in the local tavern called Commercial Club, nursing a beer or two. On Sundays, my mother and I would pick him up and bring him home. One of the special things we used to do is play cards. Our favorite games was “Cau-chuck”, a pairing game similar to fish. I have nothing but wonderful memories of my time with my great Uncle Billy
Uinta Springs Ranch
Tribute to Uinta (pictured above with Munchkin)
Uinta was our 10 year old registered black and white American paint mare. She was our prized mare. She was well-proportioned with just the right amount of muscle tone to highlight her beautiful shiny coat.
She gave birth last year to a beautiful foe we named, Munchkin. And, of course, Uinta was a very good mother. Both her and her foe had beautiful black and white markings and pattern distribution. Most importantly, Uinta was beginning to show her love for people.
When we first got to know her, she was aloof and standoffish. But as time went on, she began to notice what we were doing in our horse energy work. Before long, she was stepping forth and choosing people to work with. She was consciously choosing to be a part of RAIN’s mission.
Uinta came down with a sudden case of colic and passed away, Sunday, December 6, 2015. Her sudden departure devastated all of us who knew and worked with her. She was a very special mare who made a huge contribution to our work. We loved her very much.
We have been at such a loss that we have decided to name our ranch after her. Here forth, our ranch will be known of as Uinta Springs Ranch. The Springs aspect is added due to the unusual amount of water found on our 40 acre property, water which we hope to use in an efficient manner to beautify and contribute to the sustainability features of the ranch. 