Richard Davis - HOME BUYING FOR VETERANS

HOME BUYING FOR VETERANS

Richard Davis

Table Of Contents

Horse Therapy For Our Veterans And First Responders

The Advantages Of Hippo (Horse) Therapy

Building Your Barn And Riding Arena

Indoor Riding Arenas

Plan Your Equine Therapy Business

Designing A Healthy Horse Barn

How To Buy The Right Property

Home Loans - VA, FHA, SBA, Conventional & Construction Loans

100

Other Home-Buying Resources For Veterans 116

10. Programs For Traditional Home Buyers

121

11. The Closing Process

127

12. Organizing Your Move

140

Resources

The purpose of this book is to help our Veterans and first responders to achieve some peace of mind.

How to buy or build a home, barn and riding arena.

How to start a horse therapy business.

How to enjoy life and strive for peace on earth!

Check us out at: www.HorseTherapyforVeterans.com

Call us at: (844) 227-6700 (844) 227-6700 (844) BARNS 00 ARNS 00

On the cover is my wife Anne's father, John Simpson. He was a WWII Army Air Corps B-17 Bombardier. Shot down over Germany, he spent two years in a German prisoner of war camp, tough man. On the back cover is my father Richard Davis. He served during the Korean Conflict stationed at Scott Air Force Base then later with AT&T at NORAD.

iii

Why We Wrote This Book e This Book

I did the estimating and Project Management for Renovations to the White House in March of 2001

Real Estate is one of the most profitable and historically safe methods of investing. We have all witnessed the volatility of the stock and bond markets. Most people wish to achieve a diverse and profitable investment portfolio. Allow me to show you why you should be putting your money to work in specialized real estate markets.

I specialize in Investment Real Estate. I have been licensed and actively investing for over 40 years. I was the co-founder and broker of Investment Realty, Inc and I was a Commercial Realtor with Real Estate World of Florida, selling businesses, multi-family and commercial real estate. I am a retired VA Mortgage Loan Officer with many years of experience in VA, FHA, Conventional and Commercial Loans. I have always been passionate about the real estate business. I took the Maryland Real Estate Sales class and got my license while in college at the age of 19. I studied for and passed the licensing test to become a Broker and started Investment Realty, Inc., located in the historic district of Frederick, MD. I specialized in the sales and property management of single family and multi-family dwellings as well as both large and small Equestrian Estates.

I also founded a licensed construction company, Horse Barn Builders, LLC where we do land development and subdivisions. We laid in utilities and built county roads. Once the county

roads were in, we built and sold custom houses, barns and office buildings. We specialize in equine facilities building ranch homes, barns and riding arenas. I have always enjoyed being a student of investments and especially investing in the real estate business. I have studied and become licensed in many of the trades that are affiliated with investments and retirement. I have held licenses as a VA Mortgage Broker, a Real Estate Broker, an Insurance Broker and a Public Adjuster. I was also a Stock Broker which allowed me to put together Real Estate Syndication Limited Partnerships. I held my Certified Roofing Contractor license and I still hold the highest Certified General Contractor license available in the state of Florida and I’m licensed in Pennsylvania. My licenses have given me the knowledge and background to fully understand investing and to participate in all phases of the investment real estate arena. I have bought and sold hundreds of properties including several ranch estates. I have renovated hundreds more including work that we did in The White House in March of 2001. f 2001.

I did the project estimating and project management for renovation work that we did at Reagan National Airport, Howard University’s Law Library.

We helped build the new Loudoun County Court House

We built The Six Flags Wild Adventure Park in NJ from scratch in less than 4 months, an all union labor job. vii

By having experience as a Real Estate Broker and Certified General Contractor I bring the knowledge and experience to the table that helps you get an accurate measure of a properties value and what it would both require and cost to fix anything that needs fixing. That helps close the deal because fear of the unknown causes paralysis of action. If you need a new roof and I tell you what it will cost you can factor it in to the negotiations immediately instead of negotiations being frozen because you don't know what the new roof will cost. I partner up with associates who specialize in their areas of expertise. For Residential Real Estate I work with Dave Monsour and Pat Messett, both are number one in their areas! Brecknock Builders are specialist in steel frame buildings. Conestoga Buildings specialize in wood frame barns. Danto Builders can build out your commercial project.. Crexi, Marcus Millchap for Multi-family, Hamilton Zanze for 250+ unit apartment buildings. The list goes on and on. I work with people and companies who are experts in their field. Read the book, go to my website. Meet me for an in person or virtual cup of coffee to discuss the best way to expand your real estate horizons. You’ll be glad you did!

My best regards, Richard Davis

viii

CHAPTER 1 Horse Therapy for our Veterans and First Responders esponders Picture yourself on your ranch after a day of riding your horse, helping your fellow Veterans with Equine Therapy and now relaxing in your pool watching the sun set.

This is my Quarter horse Skipper, the perfect therapy horse!

The book shows you how to buy or build your own home, barn and riding arena. It also shows you how to hire the right company to build your barn for you if you don't want to build it all by yourself.

We show you how to start and how to run a horse therapy

business to help you enjoy life and live happily ever after.

My love of Horse Therapy and buying, selling and building Equestrian Estates goes back many years. I have been building barns for most of my life. From wooden structures to large steel framed buildings and covered riding arenas. My team of Amish carpenters are incredible craftsmen who build or renovate your buildings with pride. About 15 years ago I co-founded Heaven's Special Children Inc. an equine facility for Special Needs Children. On our ranch is located in Florida, ten miles west of the University of Florida. We provide what is called Hippotherapy. I think it is a Latin or Greek word for horse therapy. The actual definition of Hippotherapy is "the use of horseback riding as a therapeutic or rehabilitative treatment, especially as a means of improving coordination, balance, and strength." We had as many as 10 rescue horses at one time on our 11 acre ranch but only a few very special horses were calm enough to be used for the young special needs children that rode at our ranch. Our best horses were smaller, 14+ hand Quarter Horses.

We have 3 volunteers and one licensed therapist with each of the horses as the children took their ride. One volunteer on each side of the horse to steady and protect the child. One person up front who knew how to read the horse, his eyes, his ears, etc. They would lead the therapy horse. Then a licensed therapist would help the child do different exercises to develop muscular and sensitivity skills. The hardest part of the therapy session was literally trying to get the kids off of the horses, they didn't want to stop. My Veterinarian wife and I adopted a very special baby who suffered from cerebral palsy and who was a quadriplegic. He is now 16 years old and is still confined to his wheelchair. Mikey goes to a public school and has what I call a "magic" dot glued between his eyebrows. The dot is a computer mouse that he uses to work his computer. Wherever he looks the cursor goes! He has learned to read, write, do math and even writes poetry. Not bad for a quadriplegic that has to eat through a feeding tube and can't talk. Mikey is my hero!

Mikey and I enjoying Equine Day at the Special Olympics.

I have built and brokered some incredible houses and barns and farms. The most expensive home that I ever built was a six million dollar mansion in Southern Florida.

This 634 acre ranch is currently for sale $8,900,000 Gettysburg

9.2 Acre Riverfront just sold at $369,000 in Dade City, Florida

Two 10 acre building sites, wooded and surrounded on three sides by the Michaux PA State Forest. Right near the Appalachian Trail only $245,000. O y $245,000. Only 15 minutes from Gettysburg Hunting and Miles and Miles of Hiking right outside of your doorstep in t ep in the 6,000 a e 6,000 acre State Park. I have built, brokered and owned my own estates and barns. Some of the larger equine facilities were over 20,000 square feet under roof. Several had as many as 20 and 30 horse stalls. I built a large horse barn for a wonderful family who lives on a 500 acre ranch, right on the Chesapeake Bay. It was a 10,000 SF barn that was used for her brood mares and new foals every year in February see below. Cynthia is a true American Hero who offers her equine estate, to a different charity every month to help them raise funds.

30 Stall w/ Riding Arena, 100' by 90' Gambrell barn Maryland

This old 1800's, 45 acre farm with house and barn made with 2' thick stone walls, covered with stucco. We chipped it off, sand blasted, re-grouted and then sealed the beautiful stone to bring

the barn and the farm house back to life!

Call me if you need:

• To buy a farm or ranch • Sell your equine facilities • Build any new buildings (I only work with Amish barn builders, they build all of my barns) • Contact me if you need a price on any of the above • Sometimes if you are buying you need a price on a new barn or house before you buy • I also find that it is easier to sell your farm/ranch if you can tell the prospective buyer what any new buildings will cost • If it is time to develop and subdivide the farm call me. I have done several land developments and have built county roads and installed the infrastructure • I have people that will buy the "paper development" and do all of the work needed to sell the finished lots • Call, text or email me if you want a complete list of available properties

MARION COUNTY NEAR OCALA FLORIDA, LUXURY EQUESTRIAN ESTATE, POOL, 2 MAGNIFICENT BARNS WITH 20 STALLS, LAKE $6,400,000 30.00 ACRES, 7 BEDROOMS 6.5 BATHS, 7456 SQ FT HOME

$405,000 Fully operational, 24 matted stall barn with a 2 BR, 2 BA apartment in center! This 5 acre property is almost fully fenced around the perimeter, and has 6 wood board paddocks, two wash stalls with hot water, and a manure bin! WELL MAINTAINED HORSE FACILITY IN CENTRAL FL

GAITHERSBURG, MD, VICTORIAN FARM HOME SITTING ON 6.74 ACRES W/ 4/6 STALL BARN, POND! $799,900

$3,800,000 Equestrian Estate in MD. 32 Stalls, 70 Acres, 2 Houses, Indoor Arena, Outdoor Arena, 1/4 Mile Track, Pool Use the Horse Farm for boarding, training and therapy. Rent out the Mansion for a magnificent wedding venue.

Steel Framed Riding Arena Chester County Pennsylvania Another barn that I built and renovated was a large stone barn and farm house, built in the 1800's. This facility was built for a Gold Medal Dressage Champion who can teach your daughter how to make her horse dance. It is quite beautiful, both the facility and the dancing.

CHAPTER 2 The Advantages of Hippo (Horse) antages of Hippo (Horse) Therapy

My wife, Anne's father John was a WWII A s a WWII Army Air Corps B-17 Bombardier. Shot down over Germany, he spent two years in a German prisoner of war camp, tough man. My father Richard served during the Korean Conflict stationed at Scott Air Force Base then later with AT&T at NORAD

Hippo (Horse) Therapy

Equine Therapy and PTSD Columbia University Irving Medical Center Study

An innovative research project studying the effectiveness of equine assisted therapy for veterans with post-traumatic stress 11

disorder (PTSD) is underway at Columbia University Irving Medical Center under the leadership of Yuval Neria, PhD, Director of Trauma and PTSD, and Prudence Fisher, PhD, Associate Professor of Clinical Psychiatric Social Work (in Psychiatry) and a research scientist at the New York State Psychiatric Institute. The Man O’ War Project is the first university-led research trial to establish manualized guidelines for the application of equine- assisted therapy for veterans with PTSD and to examine the effectiveness of this promising new treatment.

The project came about through the suggestion and generous support of former U.S. Ambassador Earle I. Mack, a thoroughbred owner/breeder and veteran himself, who was concerned about the mental health crisis facing veterans. “Mr. Mack has long been a proponent of using horses to help treat veterans with PTSD and in 2015, he solicited the help of Columbia’s Department of Psychiatry to design and carry out the study,” says Dr. Neria, who is also Director of the Military Family Wellness Center at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia. “Mr. Mack’s belief that horses could be beneficial to human psychopathology was a compelling idea.” An estimated 30 percent of veterans develop PTSD. “It can involve nightmares and flashbacks and avoidance of situations

that remind them of their traumatic experiences,” says Dr. Fisher. Symptoms can range from anger and negative thoughts to debilitating anxiety and hypervigilance. Some veterans may turn to substance abuse and PTSD also can put veterans at an increased risk for suicide. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, more than 20 veterans die by suicide each day. Current treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy, have high dropout rates and limited helpfulness. “Even the most effective therapies and pharmacotherapies for PTSD have success for no more than 50 percent of the patient population for PTSD and even less among veterans,” says Dr. Neria. “It’s doubly shameful because of the fact that this condition – from the standpoint of how scientifically challenging or difficult it may be to understand – should be solvable,” says Jeffrey A. Lieberman, MD, Psychiatrist-in-Chief, NewYork-Presbyterian/ Columbia.

The Man O’ War Project

U.S. Marine Sergeant Matthew Ryba believes equine therapy could help troubled veterans. (Photo courtesy of Man O’ War Project)

Equine-assisted therapy in which patients interact with horses to address emotional and behavioral challenges is widely used to treat a variety of mental health problems. However, there is little data supporting its effectiveness and no standardized approach to delivering the therapy. “None of us had ever conducted equine therapy before, and so initially we spent a year and a half traveling throughout the country studying other programs and to learn about the characteristics of horses and how their interactions with the veterans would help regulate their emotions,” says Dr. Fisher. “By their nature, horses are skittish or hypervigilant, and people with PTSD are hypervigilant. This presents an opportunity for veterans to recognize and understand fear responses.” “We have here a perfect storm where both the human and the animal are preoccupied with the same problem,” says Dr. Neria. “We created a treatment menu to address this very core problem by allowing the two to engage in a structural way in activities that enable them to take care of these ongoing trauma related functional problems.” “Horses are naturally responsive to verbal and nonverbal cues and thus provide good feedback to the veterans about how they are communicating,” continues Dr. Neria. “Horses are patient and nonjudgmental, allowing opportunities for veterans to make mistakes and learn from them. They are also very forgiving and generous to human beings.” Unlike dogs, which grant love unconditionally, relationships with horses must be earned, notes the researchers. “One must build trust with a horse for it to welcome you into its world,” says Dr. Fisher. “Veterans relearn how to build trust and how to trust themselves again – valuable tools to help them succeed with family, work, and social relationships.”

To date, more than 70 veterans, both men and women, have participated in the treatment trial, which took place over eight weeks at the Bergen Equestrian Center, just 15 minutes from the Columbia University campus. Treatment began with a full evaluation by Dr. Neria’s research team and included a pre- and post-MRI to determine any changes in the brain. Those data will be detailed in their findings. However, the anecdotal results are encouraging. “Horses produce a safe relational engagement, more so than any pet or even any person,” says Dr. Lieberman. “And that produces a kind of a transient relaxation in the hypervigilance and the noxious emotionality associated with the traumatic experience that the individual underwent. With repeated administration, the therapy allows the noxious, intensive, emotional component to the memories of their traumatic experience to dissipate.” “Unlike other treatments for veterans, this program is very desirable for them,” says Dr. Neria. “They are happy to participate, dropouts are minimal, and side effects are basically nonexistent, which is very important. We are only beginning to understand the negative effects that war has on our veterans and how to address them effectively. We have a responsibility to explore all possible avenues of treatment for PTSD, and we are proud to continue this innovative study.” Dr. Neria and Dr. Fisher will publish the results of their study in the near future and will also distribute a training manual that can be used by horse therapy centers nationwide. “The model, which is tested, can be disseminated and made available to other facilities that want to provide treatment, to veterans organizations that want to simply find a way to have the treatment enacted in conjunction with their mental health care facility, or to equine-assisted therapy programs seeking a proven, effective protocol,” says Dr. Lieberman.

For More Information Dr. Prudence Fisher | pwf1@cumc.columbia.edu Dr. Jeffrey A. Lieberman | jl2616@cumc.columbia.edu Dr. Yuval Neria | ny126@cumc.columbia.edu Article is posted in 2020 on the New York Presbyterian website https://www.nyp.org/newsletters/prof-adv/psych/equine- therapy-helps-ptsd

3 Secret Benefits of Equine Therapy for Veterans by Heroes' Mile | Oct 3, 2019 | News

As Americans, we grow up with heroic images of horses and cowpokes. There’s a kind of natural majesty there, and many people turn to horse riding to experience that feeling of power and calm in their own lives. Now, however, it has gone one step further. Veterans recovering from substance use disorder use equine therapy to lead healthy, sober lives. Here’s how it all works. What Is Equine Therapy? We proudly offer equine therapy at Heroes’ Mile, and below is how this innovative program works. In equine therapy, also known as equine assisted therapy or horse therapy, mental health professionals work with veterans to create meaningful bonds between the patients and horses. This is typically accomplished through feeding, grooming, and therapeutic riding. During therapeutic riding, the patient feels a natural sense of calm as they feel the rocking motions of riding a horse. This greatly aids in long term rehabilitation, and it’s only one of many ways that horse therapy helps.

Over the course of treatment, the equine therapist will help the

patient identify their own behavior patterns. Horses are “mirrors” for human emotion; they act the way we act. By showing patients their own emotions reflected in horses, equine therapists can illustrate the effects of harmful behavior patterns. These patterns are the same causes of emotional and mental stress that lead to many veterans drinking in excess or using illegal drugs. So by helping patients identify how their own actions and emotions work, equine assisted therapy programs give patients the tools to stay in long term recovery.

What Are the Benefits of Equine Therapy? These are some of the main benefits of equine therapy, but there are many other ways that horse therapy can help veterans. Below are three big ways that equine therapy treatment programs help veterans. 1. Equine Assisted Therapy Calms Veterans Many veterans feel the affects of post-traumatic stress every day.

This can make it difficult for them to remain calm and can severely damage their personal relationships. It is this stress that often leads veterans to substance abuse. However, equine therapy has proven effective at giving veterans emotional stability, which can be a major factor in attaining long term sobriety. This mental health treatment presents veterans with a safe creature to open up to. Because horses are non-judgmental and cannot reject anyone, they help people open up in ways that traditional therapy can’t. For veterans who undergo equine therapy, they often report a variety of emotional benefits: • Reduced stress • Increased confidence • Relationship building skills • Improved ability to trust others Each of these benefits aids in long term mental health and addiction recovery. Because of these interactions with horses, veterans start sobriety on the right foot and stay in recovery. 2. Horse Therapy Prepares Veterans for Sobriety As any recovering addict will tell you, sobriety is a lot of work. The same is also true for working with horses, which is what makes equine therapy so effective. Horses require patience and perseverance, and the process of caring for them is not always pleasant. These are the lessons that patients need to learn to stay sober. By teaching patients how to care for horses, equine therapists also teach patients how to care for themselves. Throughout equine therapy sessions, patients learn vital skills for living a sober lifestyle in the real world. These skills don’t just translate to addiction, either.

Many people who come to our rehabilitation center have lost control. They may not be able to regularly pay bills, and many of them know what it’s like to have no home at all. By getting them into a routine and learning how to fulfill obligations again, we equip our residents for the skills that will greatly improve their quality of life after leaving treatment. 3. Equine Therapy Helps Veterans Regain Strength While most active military personnel are considered to be in “good shape,” addiction is seldom gentle on the body. When they come to us, many patients report a loss of physical strength, range of motion, and endurance. Regaining these abilities is a key part of building confidence and starting a healthy lifestyle, and we use horse therapy to help our patients achieve that. Caring for horses has plenty of mental benefits, but a good portion of the work is physical. After all, horses are large creatures, and making sure that they’re healthy and well-looked- after is a lot of work. For that reason, veterans report the following benefit after participating in equine therapy treatments: • Improved strength • Increased range of motion • More stamina • Better cardiovascular function Addiction is not solved solely in the mind or solely in the body. But by strengthening both, equine therapy allows us to give our patients the best chance for long term recovery. How Do We Handle Equine Therapy? Now, let’s talk about what you can expect from the equine assisted therapy program at Heroes’ Mile. We hold our equine therapy services once a week under the supervision of a doctor of psychology and a licensed mental

health counselor. Here, residents help care for the horses while working on their own recoveries. It’s one of the most popular therapies at Heroes’ Mile, and it’s one we’re glad to provide for our veterans in recovery. We Can Help You Heroes’ Mile is a substance abuse, post-traumatic stress, and military sexual trauma program designed for military service veterans experiencing problems with addiction and other psychological challenges related to their military services. We are located in DeLand, FL, and are committed to serving those who served our country. If you are a veteran or would like to refer a veteran to our program, please call an Admissions Specialist today at 386-319-1837 OR VISIT AT https://www.heroesmile.com/ 3-secret-benefits-of-equine-therapy-for-veterans/

A story about the power of prayer and doing good. http://HorseTherapyforVeterans.com

Mikey got a bad deal in life. He was born perfect however his

birth mom had contracted genital herpes and the welfare OBGYN doctor did not check his mother for the disease. When the doctor delivered Mikey vaginally the herpes meningitis virus entered through his eyes and into his brain where it ate worm hole tunnels throughout his little brain. Mikey was 19 days old, sitting on my lap when I noticed his little hand having spasms. I called Marlene over and she immediately told me to get in the car and we went straight to the hospital. The herpes virus had eaten enough of his brain that he suffered a stroke in his right frontal lobe. While he was in the hospital he had another stroke, in his left frontal lobe. They immediately sent Mike and Marlene in an ambulance to Children's Hospital. They ran tests and determined that he had Herpes Meningitis. The attending physician, without consulting or telling us, decided to let Mikey die. He did not give him any IVs for fluid or nourishment and after several hours Marlene called him in and asked for better life saving care.

Still no response, no fluids or nourishment!

Marlene called her good friend Paula Clancey, who called her father. He was a wealth business leader who was in the process of donating $3,000,000.00 to the hospital, he threatened to pull the gift! In a matter of minutes there were four doctors working to save Mikey's life and that is exactly what they did. Marlene stayed at the side of Mikey's bed for over one month, sleeping in the chair, showering down the hall, holding his hand, stroking his hair, talking to him, loving him!

Mike survived but he was a quadriplegic with no control of his body. Nothing worked, arms, legs and no head stability. As he grew his little head would just roll around on his shoulders. We took Mike to many different specialists, doctors and professors from FL to Georgia Medical University to NC Duke University to find anything might help. We spoke with top specialists in stem cell treatment but nothing helped.

After he turned two, we took Mike to Orlando to a therapy center that specialized in helping children with Cerebral Palsy to help them gain strength and stability.

We stayed for two weeks on two different occasions and much to our delight it worked. Mikey was now able to hold his head upright and centered, it was quite an accomplishment.

When Mikey got back to his regular therapy sessions at Children's Hospital the other parents were amazed to see the difference. They too wanted to get into the program for their children. The light went out of their eyes when we gave them the contact info and told them that we had spent

almost $40,000.00 for the treatments, none of which was covered by insurance.

It is wonderful that we take care of millions of illegal immigrants and spend billions on foreign aid but we don't take care of our own. We don't take care of our military veterans, our homeless or our special needs children, WTF! Gabriel and Asela did a wonderful job of helping take care of Mikey. He was so lucky to have them, they were both fantastic!

A second type of therapy that we got for Mikey was Hippo Therapy, horse therapy. The horse back therapy helped to strengthen his core and neck. It was very helpful but it too was expensive. All great stuff but most people could not afford the therapies. Dr. Marlene and I talked about it and decided to set up a free therapy center for children that would provide both the stabilization therapy and the horse therapy. We decided to set up a charity, Heavens Special Children, Inc. 24

to work with special needs children in order to help those that could not afford the various therapies that we had been able to provide Mikey. In order to set up the Hippo Therapy Center we would need to build a barn on our 11-acre property in Newberry Florida, 10 miles west of the University of Florida. We would clear the underbrush in the wooded areas, build fences, run plumbing for water troughs, run electrical lines for lights, etc. As a first step I contacted an attorney that specialized in setting up 501(c)3 charities. After 6 months of back-and-forth communication he sent me the final package that we signed and sent off to the IRS for review. My attorney said that it would take 6 months to a year to get approved so you can imagine how shocked I was when I got a call just 3 weeks later for an interview. A wonderful lady asked me a few questions and concluded our conversation by saying "This is some very important work that you are doing, don't tell anyone but I have already approved your charity". The approval letter arrived in the mail on Christmas Eve! Disney's Give a Day, Get a Day Shortly after that Marlene got a call from the horse therapy center that Mikey had been utilizing and they told us to go on Disney World's website and look up "Give a Day, Get a Day". The program stated that if someone would volunteer a days work at an approved charity (Give a Day) then Disney would give them a free Ticket to Disney World (Get a Day). I sent in the information on our Heavens Special Children charity including the IRS 501(c)3 documents and within a week

we were approved and our charity was now listed on Disney's website. I said, that's cool, maybe we can get a few volunteers. Well, was I ever wrong, we did not get a few volunteers, we got hundreds of offers to help, WOW! By the time the program ended we had over 900 people come to help us at the farm. We built the barn, built the fences, raked the fields to remove trip hazards like stones and roots.

We even built a 1,000 SF greenhouse that we used for organic hydroponic vegetables. Several mothers with autistic children told me organic food helped their kids stay calm.

We got UF students to sign up to be the side walkers that are needed on each side of the horse to keep the kids from falling. We also got people who guided the horses, people that knew how to read the horses eyes, ears and emotions to make sure the horse stayed calm. The last piece of the team was the licensed physical therapist who rotated around the child doing various types of stimulating therapy exercises. So in the blink of an eye, it was all done! I don't believe that anyone other than the Good Lord herself could have pulled that off? Thank you Lord! Below are a few pictures of some of the volunteers, we love you all, we thank you all!

My Ordination While I was researching how to create a 501(c)3 charity I noticed that churches were the most popular 501(c)3s so I thought that perhaps I should look into becoming an ordained minister in order to help get our charity approved. Mom's favorite cousin was Father Ken. He was a guiding light for our family and we loved him with all our hearts, but 28

especially mom.

When I was about to enter high school, I interviewed with the local Catholic Seminary (Saint Henrys I think) to explore going into the priesthood. I can't remember if I decided not to go or if they told me to go away. So, I signed up to become an ordained pastor, I studied the non- denominational precepts and philosophies and soon was ordained. Not to open or work in a conventional church but to expedite the needs of Heaven's Special Children, Inc. Praise the Lord!!!

Our first two therapy horses, Skipper and Strawberry

Marlene eventually had 12 horses at our ranch with Skipper still being my favorite. He would come up an put his head over my shoulder and give me hugs as I rubbed his neck. The magic dot! Mikey's mouse is glued between his eye brows. This allows him to control his computer mouse. Wherever he looks the cursor moves. Mike can read, type, do math and even writes poetry. Twenty years ago, he would be stuck in a wheelchair staring out the window. Like Cathy's father Gerry Comeau always said "Is this a great country or what!" Funny sign that I posted at our Horse Therapy Center: For fast riders we have fast horses. For slow riders we have slow horses. For people who have never ridden we have horses that have never been ridden!

On Par - Organizational News in Pediatrics and Research wrote an article about Heaven's Special Children, published by the University of Florida Pediatric News. ON PAR news magazine quoted me: "The reality of life is the kids need the therapy and the government can't afford to do more than they are already doing so we, as volunteers, have to do it." From the UF website: "It is a genuine honor to greet you as chair of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Florida. And what an exciting time! For the second year in a r r in a row, UF Health Children’s Hospital is tied as the number one Children’s Hospital in Florida according to U.S. News & World Report 2022-2023 t 2022-2023 rankings."

CHAPTER 3 Building Your Barn and Riding Ar our Barn and Riding Arena The type of barn you build should be appropriate to the purpose it will serve, now and in the future. A barn to accommodate 17 hand thoroughbred broodmares and foals obviously has different requirements from a barn to house several 14 ½ hand Quarter horses for family riding. The most important thing about the housing and protection of your horses is to provide a healthy environment. An environment that provides fresh air free from germs and pathogens. Ventilation and proper air flow is the key. The style of your barn is mostly determined by the pitch of your roofline and your finish materials (wood, steel, stone, etc.) It is an aesthetic choice and should complement your other buildings and your budget. Wood and steel are both fine building materials. Steel is strong and can span longer distances between supports than wood but requires specialized foundation construction, which increases cost. Wood truss systems work for most barns and riding arenas up to 100 feet in width, after that you should switch to a pre-engineered steel building.

What are the Various Types of Barns

YOU CAN CHOOSE FROM FIVE MA M FIVE MAJOR TYPES OF BARNS: ARNS:

Gable A Frame

Gambrel

Monitor, Shed Row, Bank Barns and more.

Monitor for the fire department and smoke detectors that go off in the barn and in your house at the same time.

Enjoy the book and email me if you have any questions at SpecialBarns@gmail.com or call (844) Barns 00 (227-6700)

How to GO GREEN! o GO GREEN!

SUSTAINABILITY - Providing environmentally sound solutions is equally a part of the CB Structures Advantage. We not only strive to minimize the environmental impact of our buildings, but are mindful of only purchasing from suppliers who encourage responsible forest management. Low life-cycle costs are also a critical component of CB Structures’ green building practices. By incorporating LEED certified techniques that reduce energy costs, CB Structures delivers buildings that are sustainable and cost-effective with decreased operating and maintenance costs throughout the building’s long-term use.

What is the best type of Roof?

Obviously, choosing a fireproof and water shedding roof to eliminate structural damage is more important than aesthetics, but today you have many choices for roofing materials that combine beauty, safety and function, including: steel, asphalt shingle, tile and slate. The type of roofing you choose will be partially determined by the degree of roof slope, or “pitch,” and the weight of the material. For example, shingles are not recommended for low-sloping roofs because water runoff is slow enough to compromise the material, and tile or slate roofs require more support than all other choices because of their weight. To improve visibility inside your barn, translucent fiberglass panels that are frequently found on all four sides of barns and indoor arenas. Skylites and also be framed into your roof. Painted steel 3 Tab Shingles It is a product that goes on between the wood supporting purlins and the metal roofing. Below is an example from www.insulationstop.com Another great way to prevent the problems of condensation is to use the Fabral Condenstop below is some of the verbage from their website • Saves time and money compared to other vapor barrier products by providing an economical solution for condensation issues • Eliminates condensation Architectural Shingles or Standing Seam Condensation problems with a metal roof There are several ways to prevent the condensation First is Double Bubble Vapor barrier.

• Protects assets and investments from moisture damage • Can be used in place of traditional vapor retarders • Adds to interior corrosion protection

Question 3: What are my options for Siding?

Board and Batten Metal Metal with Wainscot Example T1-11 Vinyl Options CertainTeed Cedar Impressions Cement board Stucco Stone Cedar and Log

What is the best flooring for my barn?

Stall floors can be roughened cement, dirt, clay, asphalt, crushed limestone, sand or wood. Dirt aisles should be avoided; they create dust that can lead to respiratory problems such as the heaves. Dirt floors are also uneven and messy when wet; however, covering them with rubber mats or pavers eliminates some of these problems. If possible install the rubber mats over a compacted crushed stone or stone and sand. Dirt as stall flooring should be avoided and make it diffi t difficult to keep the stall clean. Rubber mats can help minimize this problem. A super product is the ComfortStall system, a cushiony equine equivalent to a memory foam mattress. Themat is secured to the

stall walls to keep it in place and therefore doesn’t need to be removed for cleaning. We recommend that if you can’t cover your concrete floors with rubber mats the make sure you have a heavy broom finished texture to prevent slipping. The most popular type of stall flooring is a “Powdered Stone” which should be laid and compacted up to 8 inches thick. It compacts and makes a smooth surface to place your rubber mats on top of. What are some cool “Bells and Whistles?” Possible items to include on your list are the following: • Automatic waterers

• Drop-down or pull-out feed doors • Stall mats vs Stall Padding systems • Automatic misting systems • Automatic sprinklers • Wash rack • Frost free water hydrants • Tack room • Hay/equipment storage room • Electric outlets above every stall · Thermostat controlled fans · Solar powered attic fans

· Exterior Fluorescent Flood Lights (65w with 300w e h 300w equivalent) · T-5 and T-8 Fluorescent systems (water proof and kick proof) · Surveillance and Alarms · Strategically Placed Fire Extinguishers · Dual Exits from all Stalls · Automatic Sprinkler Systems · First Aid Station · Safety Signage Package · Drainage (Water Harvesting Cistern System)

Where should I store my tractors and equipment?

The answer is - In a separate building or at the very least under an exterior covered lean-to! Some of the equipment we use to make our chores easier is not beneficial to our barns air quality. Barns are usually built so the aisles are wide enough to admit tractors and manure spreaders. Fumes from exhaust and spilled fuel will quickly contaminate the air. Leaf blowers as quick, easy alternatives to the pitch fork or push broom but they too contaminate the air quality of your barn. Fire hazard from a gas or diesel powered tractor is another concern with using one barn for everything. This is true for hay storage as well. Remember that most fire companies will not even spray water on a hay fire. It is almost impossible to extinguish. What do I need to know to keep my horse healthy? Horses are herd animals and by their nature need to be with other horses whenever possible. We suggest a barn with open stalls where your horse can see other horses. Your horse is naturally frightened of things it cannot see. A horses instinct is to run from danger, in our modern world there are no wild mountain lions but there is still the perception of danger and if they cannot see out of their stall then any noise becomes a potential stressor. We concentrate on designing stalls that reduce stress for horses. As a herd animal the horse has survival instincts that are over activated when we isolate the animal.

A herd provides protection from predators. The feel, sight and

smell of other horses is reassuring to your horse "Not only is the stall a small area where a horse can’t see far, but in many cases it also doesn’t allow him to see neighboring horses, and this puts his survival instincts into overdrive,” says Croce. "Isolation deprives the horse of the protection afforded by the herd and plays into his fears of being vulnerable to predators. When a horse has a more open area and is able to see and smell other horses, he has less psychological stress.” If your horse is stalled much of the day, he should have access to hay to maintain digestive health and alleviate boredom. Horses are meant to be busy grazing about half the day. Standard stalls are usually between 10’ n 10’x10’ and up to 12’ o 12’x12’. We make our brood-mare stalls up to 16’ o 16’x16’ which also comes in handy if a horse is sick or if you have a stallion. We have developed a moveable stall wall that rides on overhead rails, just like most stall doors. This allows you to double the size of a stall with a simple push, no need to take your stall wall apart one 2”x6” at a time. Use stall fronts with grill or mesh fronts, the stall door should allow your horse to put his head out and look around. Try to avoid solid walls between stalls, utilize bars or grillwork so horses can see each other. Physical stress, such as poor air quality, can affect health over time. If you combine less-than-ideal air quality with social stress, from lack of contact with other horses, the horse is less able to cope with the poor air quality, and this starts a downward spiral.

Access from your driveway:

It would be a very good plan to locate your new post and be beam barn within easy access from a driveway. You want to be able to drive right up to it, or even drive through it. Convenience is important, unloading feed, hay, and bedding is much easier if you can drive right up to your barn. It is also handy when loading or unloading horses, alpacas, goats, sheep and other livestock. Speaking of that, the ideal plan is to have a U or circle drive that goes right up to and or through your barn. Think about those long stock trailers, they need enough space to turn and maneuver. If you have one, you might measure your pickup and stock trailer, or measure your neighbors if you don’t have one yet. Then plan your drive up to and out of your barn to have enough room to drive straight in or straight out of your barn.

Your Barn and Pasture

Plan your barn to be close to your current or planned pasture land. The last thing you want is a long walk from your pasture to your new barn. The best plan is to have your barn connected to your pasture. Then you can have doors leading out of your stalls to a paddock or pasture. Your horses and livestock will be happier and healthier if they have room to play, a safe place out of the weather, and easy access to both.

Water

I know, you think water is not necessary in a barn. I mean it’s not a big deal to carry a couple buckets of water out to the barn to water the animals, right? Think again! It is a real pain in t in in the neck to carry buckets upon buckets of water to your barn. Especially in the winter.

If you plan to have a wash bay in your barn you need a good clean water supply and a way to drain the runoff away from the barn. You will want water plumbed out to your barn so plan for it. Make sure your barn is close enough to your well that it doesn’t become too expensive to run the piping. A frost free hydrant in your barn is enough to start with. You can add an automatic watering system and plumb in a wa b in a wash bay when you are ready. Getting water to your barn could be as easy as running a waterline from your well to the barn, or it may be very diffi y difficult. It is important to consider how you will get water to your animals on a regular basis. If you live in an area where water is hard to come by and digging a well is impractical than you may want to consider installing some sort of rain collection system. Many gallons of water can be collected and stored from the rain that falls on your roof. You can obtain some fairly large poly tanks at various farm supply stores across the country. Most of them are designed either for a sprayer or to go in the back of a pickup truck. Either way you could build a platform out of timbers to set it on and run you gutters into the tank to collect rainwater.

Lighting

As with water you will also need adequate barn lighting and electricity. Be sure your barn is close enough to a utility pole or another building with power so that it is easy to run electricity to it. You don’t want to be stumbling around in the dark when you are investigating a strange noise coming from your barn. Barn Geek is an awesome website, filled with great info. You can read more about barn lighting on their website:

CHAPTER 4 Indoor Riding Arenas

An indoor riding arena takes your riding program year-round, providing a safe, weatherproof instruction and show ring that can be as simple or as elaborate as you like. Some owners include features like tack rooms, wash areas, observation rooms, bathrooms and show seating in their plans. Others are looking for an affordable, basic structure to provide dry cover and perfect track in every season. Whatever your needs, pole barns make an ideal structure for your indoor riding arena thanks to their large interior spans and fast, affordable construction.

The following are some of the basic aspects you’ll need to consider when designing your indoor ring. STANDALONE OR COMBINED? Riding rings can stand alone, adjoin the barn or serve as a combined barn and arena structure. Which is best for you will depend on your riding plans as well as your property layout and existing buildings. If your current barn serves all of your needs and has room for growth, adding a separate building next to it or nearby may serve your needs. If you’ve outgrown your barn, you may want to add stables to your new structure. Riding rings do generate a lot of dust, which can be a disadvantage of combining your barn with your arena. If your riding ring will stand alone, you’ll probably want to locate it close to the barn to make things easier for horses and riders in bad weather. On the other hand, if you host large shows you may want to distance the arena from your private stable areas.

Some owners don’t have space alongside the barn for an arena,

or have other locations on your property that are better suited for the ring.

As with any farm building, high and dry is the ideal location for your indoor riding ring. This is a basic 80×200 foot structure, large enough to house an indoor riding arena. SIZE The best size for your arena will depend on how many horses will be using it at once and what sort of riding you’ll be doing. According to the Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA), a standard competition arena is 100×200 feet. That is large enough for jump courses and most riding activities. As a baseline, CHA recommends 32 linear feet of rail per horse. For 10 horses, that means a 60×100-foot arena. That would be a minimum size appropriate for beginning riders, who do better in smaller spaces. Advanced riders will need more room.

Dressage rings range from 20×40 meters (66×132 feet) for a small arena to 20×60 meters (66×197 feet) for a large one. INSULATION It seems like a tall order, but insulating your arena can dramatically reduce heat buildup in the summer. It also dampens sound and contains heat in the winter. That temperature regulation can make the year-round riding experience better for riders and horses. Contrary to popular belief, pole barns are easy to insulate. OTHER OPTIONS You can build solid pole barn riding ring structures in wood or metal. Each has different advantages but both materials will give you a durable, lasting structure. In addition, you have many options in doors, interior rooms, ventilation and other features. Our designers will be happy to help you lay out the perfect riding ring for your plans. Just contact us to get started, and we’ll be in touch.

CHAPTER 5 Plan your Equine Ther quine Therapy Business y Business Equine Studies Degree or Certification

Turn your passion for horses into a career with an education in equines studies. Our equine degree program will lead you in an exploration of every aspect of the equine industry, from nutrition, anatomy and physiology to the practical management practices for keeping a safe barn or stable.

Military

Post University believes that we are the land of the free because of the brave. We are committed to helping those who’ve dedicated their lives to serving our country. With the help of our faculty and staff, many of whom have served as part of our nation’s armed forces, we’re proud to offer unique educational opportunities for active-duty military members, National Guard and veterans, as well as eligible family members.

Benefits for Our Students

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