Felton-based Horse Sense Education and Advocacy was one of several nonprofits that racked up dozens of volunteer hours over the weekend helping to put on the 15th annual Redwood Mountain Faire, a festival that donates 100% of proceeds back to local groups.
The equine organization was put in charge of the challenging—but critical—hospitality portion of the event—making sure the artist area in the 6,120-square-foot Bret Harte Hall at Roaring Camp Railroads had all the food and drink they might want.
“They were outstanding,” said Traci-Lin Buntz, festival emcee and steering committee member. “The hospitality people do all of the shopping—and all of the preparation of food—for all of the artists.”
On Saturday, Horse Sense founder Kristin Praly was spotted refreshing a nibbling spread with a giant smile on her face.
Praly said the gathering is a unique production she’s glad to be a part of.
“Redwood Mountain Faire is pretty amazing,” she said, during an interview at her stable on Monday afternoon. “The work that they do is on behalf of local nonprofits, and it originated with the San Lorenzo Valley Women’s Club.”
Horse Sense has come a long way since the Press Banner first reported on their founding in 2022.
The 501(c)3 charity has been having a busy spring. The organization was recently recognized at the “Be the Difference Awards,” put on by the Volunteer Center and Santa Cruz Community Credit Union.
“It was uplifting,” said Praly, noting it was fantastic for networking with like-minded groups. “Yeah, we swapped some stories.”
At the event, she received a certificate signed by Congressman Jimmy Panetta, as well as one from the California Legislature signed by Assemblymember Gail Pellerin and Sen. John Laird.
“We went there to be honored, but we found—at least I did—that we were part of something bigger,” said Praly, adding that a woman from Sante Adairius Rustic Ales even offered to host an event for Horse Sense.
The Press Banner spoke with Ben Lomond resident Rachel Shupe, 28, who’s one of the original Horse Sense board members. She’s been riding alongside Praly since she was 3 years old.
“I grew up riding Rusty, our pony,” said Shupe, who is also Praly’s goddaughter, in between looking after horses. “I started teaching lessons.”
Now that the nonprofit is up-and-running, they hold “Horse Tales” events the first Saturday of each month.
“The kids just get to come to read to horses, not having to worry about any pressure of reading it in front of a group, or any classmates,” Shupe said. “And the horses love it.”
Meanwhile, Mountain Roasting Company has been selling specialty drinks (such as the Spicy Mare Chai and the Pony Punch) in support of MyDun, a 27-year-old female quarter horse. Elderly horsies deserve a quality retirement, too, said Praly.
“They have given their life for people,” said Praly, noting MyDun has been experiencing a fair bit of excitement in her life these days. “She has a boyfriend named Worthy—a warmblood owned by Stacey Whitmore, who volunteers a lot.
“It’s funny, because MyDun could have picked anyone in the barn. But Worthy’s her guy,” she added. “To her, he’s just the handsomest thing…. They do what’s called ‘twirling.’”
Sierra Morin, 29—who has three horses at Covered Bridge Equestrian—said Praly has helped to foster quality of life in the San Lorenzo Valley in a major way—such as during the push for a new library in Felton.
“I’ve seen the influence that she has on the people that come through—and on the community,” Morin said. “She helped with a lot of different projects.”
The Horse Sense founder has also been involved in evacuating animals during emergencies, she added.
And, Morin continued, Praly always loves making a big deal about people’s birthdays.
“She’s put a (birthday) banner on her horse to trot by me,” said Morin, recalling how Praly gets quite into singing “Happy Birthday,” too. “I cannot get through without getting scream-sung at.”
Rusty the pony was once used as a key part of a proposal to her: One side read “PROM” in spray-painted letters. The other side read “YES” and “NO.” Morin circled “YES.”
Now, the organization is expanding—to Granbury, Texas.
“We’re building a new program,” Praly said. “We’re developing it this year.”
She said the farm there has “good bones” they can use to make a difference in people’s lives—just as they do here.
For example, they want to hold clinics to help build competence around horses for folks who need a moment to just breathe and take a little time for themselves, Praly noted.
“We love working with veteran families and those kids that need more boost in their confidence,” she said.
One of the recent Felton highlights was when Girl Scout Troop 15528 held an event in which—after raising money through cookie sales—they cleaned out stalls, groomed and exercised the animals.
“After their two hours, they wanted to stay longer,” Praly said. “Willingly.”
She added that Boy Scouts have also contributed significantly over the years. One Eagle Scout project was to build a platform to help people who need assistance to get on a horse.
Over the course of last weekend, about 10 Horse Sense volunteers contributed to hospitality efforts at Redwood Mountain Faire. Though final figures are still being tabulated, the festival sold more pre-sale tickets than last year. And now, Horse Sense is due a chunk of that change to continue their local initiatives.
On Tuesday, after a weekend of slaving away (with that eternal smile on her face)—making sure VIPs had all the finger food and ice-cold bevvies their hearts could desire—Praly was off again, to Texas, to plot the next chapter of Horse Sense.
For more information about Horse Sense, visit horsesenseeducation.info.
