Braelie Turner works with a horse at Whispering Canyons in Logan on Fri. Aug. 17, 2022.
LOGAN – Merrill Gould of Logan is the founder and president of Whispering Canyons Foundation Inc., a 501-c-3 foundation located on six acres at 1015 S. 1000 W. in Logan. He built a program for girls that is as unique as it is life changing. He said as far as he knows it’s the only program like it in the United States.
Gould takes girls from 10 years to 18 years old with anxiety, low self-esteem, depression and a list of other issues and changes them by pairing them up with horses and giving them the responsibility to care for them and learn to ride.
Some 17 years ago he discovered there was something special about pairing up a young woman with a horse and watching them bond with each other. It changes them, he says.
“I noticed a girl at church that seemed to struggle a little,” he said. “I thought if I could get her to help me with my horses it might be good for her.”
He talked to her about working with his hoses in trade for some riding lessons. The success with that first encounter has blossomed into a full-fledged horse therapy program for girls in a safe, supervised space.
“We pair up the girls with a horse that will help them the most,” he said. “I give them responsibility, and the girls learn respect, self-control, how to work and how to think.”
Currently, there are 21 girls working with 21 horses. The girls enter Whispering Canyons and go back to the stalls, move the horses out and muck out the stalls using a scoop shovel and wheelbarrow. They remove the soiled bedding and replace it with new. Then they brush down their horse, saddle them up and work on their riding skills or start their lessons.
They prepare the girls for competing in a variety of events with their horses. Girls can work on dressage, pole bending, barrel racing, western pleasure and trail riding.
Gould said they use the 4-H and FFA rules and regulations when teaching the girls methods of horsemanship. They also prepare for and compete in 4-H state competitions.
With a non-profit the size of Whispering Canyons, it takes volunteers. They always have an eye out for volunteers and donations.
Opportunities to help are listed on JustServe to get volunteers. Except for service missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, there are no young men allowed on the premises.
“The missionaries are good help,” Gould said. “We are always looking for good volunteers.”
It takes a lot of money to keep the place open. It cost about $240 a week to keep a horse fed and maintained. They have fund raising activities and accept donations to help keep the place open.
Whispering Canyons also has a veterinarian, an equine chiropractor and an equine dentist that checks the horses frequently to make sure they are healthy.
At 82-years old, Gould wants to give it another 10 years before he turns over the facility to someone else.
All of the girls are serious about working with their horses.
Erin Wallace of Nibley has been in the program for five years and worked with three different horses.
“I kept driving by and decided to look up the website and check it out,” she said. “I would like to major in Veterinary Science at Utah State University.”
She qualified for the State 4-H competition and is getting ready to graduate from high school. She is one of their stars, Gould said. She was Oneida County Rodeo Queen First Attendant this year.
Taiya Roswell, 15, has been in the program for two years. She wanted to learn to barrel race.
“I learned to be patient while being here. It was something I need to do,” she said. “Working with my horses Brandi and Trigger has helped me develop patience.”
Braelie Turner, 13, started as a volunteer for five months before joining the program.
She would stay here all night with her horse Cherokee, Gould said.
“I’ve learned it’s not all about riding,” she said. “You have to take care of the horse, too.”
She loves horses and wants one of her own someday.
Darcy Christensen, 15, of Hyrum has been in the program for five years. She said she was super shy and her mother wanted to get outside instead of reading books all day.
“It’s a good place and it has helped me come out of my shell,” she said. “I have developed good relationships with my horse and with the other people out here.”
She said the things she learned will help her the rest of her life. Her younger sister Rachel is also in the program.
Gould said he is glad to work with girls. Sometimes it doesn’t work out, but for those who stick with it, it can be great experience.