Prayer Of Hope helps APHA cancer survivor recover

FORT WORTH, TEXAS—When Marilyn Schlacht of West Farmington, Ohio, was diagnosed with breast cancer last year, she didn’t realize just how much help her 7-year-old sorrel overo Paint Horse mare, Prayer Of Hope, would be in aiding her recovery.

“I didn’t realize how therapeutic horses really are,” said Schlacht. “They are very sensitive animals and it’s like they know what you are feeling.”

When Schlacht and her husband, John, bought “Hope” two years ago for their granddaughter, they didn’t know at the time just how appropriate that name would come to be in Marilyn’s life.

After Schlacht was diagnosed with cancer, she went through four months of chemotherapy, which was accompanied by weakness and fatigue.

“Some days I would feel really bad and wouldn’t have any strength,” said Schlacht. “I would go to the barn and just stand there.”

She recalled how just being around Hope, for even very short periods of time, helped revitalize her.

“It got me away from the house and away from thinking about the unknown of cancer,” said Schlacht.  Although there are wonderful advancements in medicines, horses can provide people with remedies that no medicine can.

“It was more of an emotional healing,” Schlacht said. “It’s like they are in the moment with you.”

With the help of Hope, Schlacht kept fighting to ride once again.

Schlacht’s cancer is now in remission and she is turning her passion for horses into a life-saving endeavor for The American Cancer Society. Schlacht was part of the society’s annual Ride of Your Life event held this spring. This event, held throughout the country, encourages horse lovers to spend the day with their horse or participate in horse-related activities. Schlacht spent her day at a horse show, trail riding and helping others by giving demonstrations of the proper show attire to wear at equine events.

Prior to each annual Ride of Your Life event, team members make a goal to raise a specific amount of money, which is then donated for cancer research. Although she signed up only a week before the event, Schlacht still met her goal of raising $500, and even exceeded it by $100.

Next year, Schlacht’s ultimate Ride of Your Life goal is to organize an event, with the help of her husband, at their farm, Hillside JM Stables. She wants cancer patients to experience the tremendous way that horses can aid in their treatment.

“It’s not about riding the horse,” Schlacht said, ”but just being around them and seeing how they relate to you so you can go away with a positive attitude.”

More about the American Paint Horse
Among the many qualities that make Paint Horses desirable are their sound conformation, versatile athletic ability, intelligence, calm temperament, willing disposition and beautiful coat color patterns. For more information about the Paint Horse or the American Paint Horse Association and its activities and programs, visit apha.com or call (817) 834-2742.

More information about the Ride of Your Life event
To learn more about Ride of Your Life and The American Cancer Society, visit teamacs.acsevents.org

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