Reigning Warriors uses horses to support veterans, first responders in Sinks Grove

By Jenny Harnish, RealWV

SINKS GROVE, W.Va — Michelle Miller has loved horses as long as she can remember. Her mother told her that her first word was “horse.” When she was in high school, she opted for a horse over a car. 

“I never realized how much the horse could help you. Like, I always knew if I was having a bad day and I went and messed with my horse, I always felt better. But I never put the two things together — that this horse could help me deal with my issues.”

Miller now operates Reigning Warriors in Sinks Grove. The program offers beginner through advanced riding lessons as well as equine-assisted programs to veterans and first responders.

“We have a lot of veterans in my family and have seen the effects of being overseas and away from family and the different things they’ve seen,” she said.  “It’s our way of giving back – they’ve given so much for us that we want to give back to them.”

The eight-week program is completely free for veterans and first responders and a member of their families. The first four weeks cover the ground work — how to groom their horse properly, how to lead their horse, how to tack up a saddle and bridle their horse. The last four weeks concentrate on riding. 

The farm is home to 19 horses. Some are rescues, some are boarders, and some are retired. 

“As the riders progress, we have all different levels of horses to match with that,” Miller said. 

Miller said that horses are therapeutic in every way possible and can pick up on human emotions almost instantly. 

“Horses mirror our emotions — they can pick up on how we’re feeling. They will match your breathing, which helps calm you down if you’re a very nervous person.”

“Some of our horses know when they’re around kids, and they’re pretty sensitive to that. They can adjust to their riding.”

Miller said horses don’t judge – they accept people for who they are. They also don’t hold grudges. 

“They may have had a dispute with one of the other horses in the herd, but in a few minutes they’ve forgotten about it,” she said. “It’s a great lesson we can take from our horses here.”