Kairos Spring Farm

06/30/2024

Friday evening, on a spectacularly beautiful day, we said farewell to a truly remarkable horse.
JP was what the racing industry calls a “war horse”; one who races year after year with no breakdown. He was purchased as a 2 year old for $200k, and after racing for his owners for 6 years, was discarded at auction at slaughter price of $500.
I have trouble articulating how deeply this noble gentleman impacted so many people, and am hoping that the photos will tell the story better than words.

Thank you to everyone for your love for this beautiful soul and your expressions of sympathy as KSF adapts to his absence.

Thank you C3 Equine Veterinary Services, LLC for your kindness and compassion and responsiveness.

06/27/2024

Unsung hero
noun; someone who neither expects nor seeks praise for their hard work or self sacrifice.

An important part of our day at KSF is enjoying a healthy lunch together under the trees where the horses graze nearby. It’s a peaceful time of rest and community building. Gianna Hoban of Mamma Gi's Personal Chef Service cares deeply about our mission and it shows with her careful planning; considering everyone’s needs, shopping and prepping days ahead, arriving 3 hours early to cook and then cheerfully serving (frequently having to pivot due to weather or last minute changes to numbers).
Her “wingwoman” in all this, Gail Vassell, who is also our Volunteer Coordinator, cheerfully handles all of the set up and clean up (a big job!) and is always attending to the missed or running out items that a certain executive director has overlooked.
Their hardwork is SO appreciated and hugely impacts the experience here - participants and staff alike. But I think it’s the love that they invest as their secret ingredient that makes it all so special.
We couldn’t do it without you two!! 🩷

06/25/2024

Many hours are spent on groundwork before a horse is started under saddle. One of the many things we do in preparation for them to carry a rider is to introduce “ponying” - just as you see done with thoroughbred racehorses - they walk politely with another horse and gradually get exposed to different experiences without having to worry yet about balancing the weight of and taking cues from a rider.
Well done Tucker (and thank you Min and KO)!

06/23/2024

There were quite a few misty eyes and deeply felt expressions of gratitude and appreciation - for connection, for community, for the gift of vulnerability and care - as we wrapped up our final session with some impressive young men on Friday.
How marvelously fitting that a rainbow - symbol of covenant relationship of goodness - adorned the sky a couple of hours after we said our “farewell for now” to these Justice-Involved youth from DYS who touched our hearts and left us changed for oh-so-much the better.
We are grateful for our partnership with the Massachusetts Department Of Youth Services as it is truly an honor to work with these young people. Thank you Straight Ahead Ministries for making it all happen.

06/21/2024

Horses are excellent at thermoregulation, but with the thermometer reaching the mid-90s, they are grateful for some cold-hosing to help. Holly doesn’t usually care for the hose much, but yesterday was happy to hang out and be sprayed.

06/13/2024

The saga continues: Sansa somehow ulcerated her left cornea 3 weeks ago and despite multiple medications every few hours, the injury is proving treatment resistant. Many thanks to C3 Equine Veterinary Services, LLC for your responsiveness and continued support in getting this resolved. Poor Sansa 😢

06/10/2024

Question of the day:
Why would Sansa choose to
channel her inner giraffe to eat oak leaves (which she doesn’t even like) while surrounded by carefully cultivated, meticulously maintained pasture? Does the mask have something to do with it?

06/08/2024

Adorable Squeaky Snoring sounds from our favorite baby Mustang 🩷

06/01/2024

Holly & Tucker hope your weekend is off to a relaxed start…
Shared with someone you care about, even better!

05/27/2024

On this Memorial Day, we soberly consider those who gave everything to preserve our freedoms. May the loved ones they left behind be comforted in some small way for the tremendous gratitude we have for their sacrifice.

05/26/2024

Treating a horse for illness or injury takes a lot of work and in Sansa’s case, has been especially supported by the wonderful team at C3 Equine Veterinary Services, LLC and by the donated use of a BEMER set (PEMF therapy) by our own Ellie Coolidge-Behrstock’s mom, Emilie Coolidge!! We are so grateful, and as you can see from Sansa’s contented face, she’s feeling better and better every day! Thank you for helping our Sweet Sansa get back to herself‼️❤️🙏🏻

05/24/2024

Our sweet Sansa somehow developed cellulitis, a potentially dangerous bacterial infection which caused a fever and serious swelling in one leg. In addition to IV antibiotics, steroids, anti diuretics and cold hosing, she needs frequent brisk walks to promote circulation. We thought you might enjoy going along with us as we stroll alongside the river early this morning and take in the birdsong and bullfrog calls.

05/18/2024

** FANTASTIC EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY Tuesday, May 28th 10:00-11:30
Open to the public, at the farm
Refreshments served

Most of us have trouble envisioning a childhood rife with violence, drugs or neglect but for many of the youth we serve from the Department of Youth Services, this has been their tragic reality. The horses and our staff offer them a warm acceptance that can have a profound effect.
In the spirit of Continuous Improvement, we are thrilled to offer an educational opportunity - open to all - on working compassionately and effectively with Justice-involved youth.
Dr. Scott Larson, President & CEO of Straight Ahead Ministries and his wife Hanne Larson, Vice President, will share their enormous wealth of experience and wisdom working with this population to help us better understand and positively impact them.

In community, we will make a difference.

RSVP [email protected] or 617-962-3429

05/02/2024

A beautiful thing happened here this week.

We want our equine partners feeling their best, and body work can be an important part of an integrated wellness plan.

Sal Robert Salvetti came highly recommended and despite the fact that he works on some of the Dressage world’s elite athletes, was happy to come to our humble farm to help the herd. I figured he would be excellent at his craft, but what I didn’t expect was to be moved by the way in which he poured himself into the work and the way in which the horses demonstrated their gratitude for how he helped them feel. There were times that the deep tissue work was uncomfortable for them, but they really seemed to understand his intention to release tightness into something better, and they’d stick with him through the process.
Sal’s quiet strength combined with an open heart and gentle humility were a gift to witness. The horses’ responses…magical.

05/01/2024

How are we showing up for our horses?

And they don't always like what they see.

04/22/2024

Happy Earth Day!
KSF is so blessed to steward this beautiful piece of the Earth. We use sustainable farming practices like fertilizing organically with hot composted manure, minimizing watering requirements by optimizing soil chemistry and composition and using natural pest control like 100% organic fly predators.

04/16/2024

Recommendations for Equine Bodywork?

While the herd appears to live a pretty comfortable life, partnering with us humans to help us in our own struggles, can create some tension in their bodies and we’re looking for some equine massage to help keep our healing herd feeling its best.
Please comment here or reach out to Leslie directly with your suggestions.
Thank you 😊

04/03/2024

I appreciate the entertainment on such a yucky day.

03/30/2024

Tucker’s Saturday health tip:
Be sure to do your stretches to maintain balance and flexibility (and you might also want to apologize to your herd mates for putting your feet near their drinking water)

03/21/2024

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) affects a large amount of our population, and is a particularly high risk for our Military Service Members "Estimates of the prevalence of mTBI among returning service members range from 15.2% to 22.8%, affecting as many as 320,000 troops" (NIH.gov).
The brain's ability to form and reorganize synaptic connections, called neuroplasticity, means that improvement is possible. Kairos Spring Farm is honored to support Veterans in the journey to improved emotional regulation and enhanced quality of life through our unique somatic experience that partners with Masters of Presence; horses.

https://www.cohenveteransbioscience.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/TBI_Action_Alliance-Know_The_Facts_About_TBI-3.6.24.pdf

03/15/2024

“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” - Helen Keller

KSF has the most wonderful group of volunteers who give their time and talents to help improve the lives of others. Their work with the participants and horses is vital to a successful program.
Today they showed up in another way - and we are so grateful!! Our “River View” Pasture got its spring face lift; complete with fallen tree clean up and leaf removal.
The dueling leaf blowers, one piloted by our youngest volunteer, Molly, (it weighed more than her) were particularly entertaining.
We appreciate everyone’s time - we got so much accomplished!
Thank you volunteers!

03/10/2024

Oh how I love this Mighty Mustang!
He and Dakota had fun playing in the sandbox today ⚽️
(Yes, I know, the halter’s too big)

03/08/2024

Kids & Mudpuddles - an all-species thing.

02/19/2024

She heard it was snack time 👅

02/16/2024

Seeking a contractor:
We are considering overhauling the footing on our 100’ X 200’ arena and having a 3-board fence built around it.
Any ideas on a reputable company with which to consult? A Veteran-run business would be awesome. (Not East West Arena)

02/14/2024

There’s no shortage of love at KSF - Valentine’s Day or not.
❤️We hope you’re having a sweet day! ❤️

02/06/2024

The Baby and The Elder
It’s a joy watching the horses engage with one another, and can be very educational.
JP and Tucker do this every day, usually multiple times and day and for up to a half hour at a time. They are enjoying each other’s company and having something of a conversation. Notice their body language, relaxed ears, licking and chewing in between “sentences”.
Think about how they need to adjust their engagement methods when the other party is human. JP, at 30, knows that putting his mouth all over us is inappropriate. Tucker keeps trying to engage us in this manner as it is what his nature tells him to do. Having a horse mouth come at participants is not the best way to create a sense of safety, so we work to kindly redirect that behavior. When we see the behavior as a desire to engage us, like he is doing fondly with JP, we can address it with understanding of positive intent and not get activated unnecessarily.

02/03/2024

KSF did not exist just a year ago - at least not in any official capacity. It was still just a dream, working on finding its way. We were not yet incorporated, facilities were far-from ready, insurance questions abounded, we had no idea HOW it would all come together, but KNEW that it would. Why? Because KSF was born of something so much bigger than any one person, entity, or even concept. It came into being out of a generative drive for connection and good - seeking balance and right relationship with self and others. While it seemed near-impossible at times, as we look at this marvelous 3-minute video put together by Nick Bell, we revel in our Launch Year...a truly remarkable year of firsts. To all of our participants, partner organizations (like Clear Path for Veterans New England, Leaving the streets Ministries Inc, Straight Ahead Ministries, Sudbury United Methodist Church, Massachusetts Department Of Youth Services), volunteers, contractors, contributors, supporters, and of course our dear horses - enjoy this romp through 2023, and please know how grateful we are for each and every one of you. We are in awe of what transpired here in the last year, and eagerly look forward to all that comes in 2024.

https://kairosspringfarm.org/

02/02/2024

Happy Groundhog Day y'all. KSF's resident groundhogs, while adorable, pose considerable challenges as they dig holes (dangerous to horses), and wreak havoc on crops. But this video is hilarious - so true how they'll take a bite, just one bite, out of that prize tomato you've been eagerly anticipating harvesting.

When Jeff noticed that his garden was getting destroyed, he put out a camera to catch the culprit, a groundhog! But Chunk won Jeff’s heart over, and now he l...