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Staff  Jean Welch - Ranch ManagerBorn and raised in Connecticut, Jean has always had an interest in animals. Totally smitten with the incurable "Horse Bug", she bought her first horse with the money she earned babysitting, mowing lawns, and from her first job at McDonalds. She, as many of us did, worked off her board by mucking stalls, cleaning tack, and tackling various other jobs around the stable. Working her way up the ladder from stable girl to trail guide, she eventually became Barn Manager for Hunter's Glen Morgans, following the New England Morgan Circuit during show season while still maintaining a presence at her home stable. Upon moving to Benson Arizona in 1999, she boarded her two horses at the J-Six Equestrian Center where she got her first taste of Natural Horsemanship and participated in many clinics there. After witnessing the remarkable results and improved overall behavior of her own two horses, she became a firm believer of this kinder, gentler method of training, and has diligently pursued it ever since. In 2006 while distributing flyers for her horse club, she stumbled across the Equine Voices Fundraiser and learned of the PMU industry and all its horrors. She was invited to tour the Ranch and it was there she met Scout, the PMU by-product baby she would later adopt. He has become her faithful companion and the love of her life, and together they enjoy many adventures, exploring the beautiful Santa Rita Mountain trails behind their house. In September of 2008 Jean got the opportunity of a lifetime and left the corporate world to become the Ranch Manager for Equine Voices. "She's never been happier" says her husband Bob. "She finally feels as though she's doing what she's supposed to be doing. She loves it." She and Bob have their own ranch in Vail AZ where they have 4 horses, 2 dogs and 1 cat.  Carrie Gayne - Office assistantAt age 8, Carrie began taking horseback riding at a Quarter Horse farm in Upstate New York and fell head-over-heels in love with horses. Several years later, her parents bought her a 19-year-old half Arab, half Welsh pony named White Pepper. Carrie and Pepper spent many years in 4-H showing in English and Western, and she ended her riding career barrel racing. Pepper went into well-deserved retirement in his mid-20s, and Carrie went to college. Pepper died in the fall of 2004 a few months before Carrie moved to Tucson. She cried for days, and vowed that she would do something to help horses in honor of her sweet Pepper. In March 2005, Carrie discovered Equine Voices and started volunteering there in February 2007. She became office assistant in January 2009. When she’s not working at the ranch, she is a freelance writer, editor and artist. Carrie also volunteers for several organizations including Animals’ Crusaders of Tucson, Defenders of Wildlife and St. Joseph’s Food Pantry in Tucson. Carrie lives in Tucson with her boyfriend and two awesome “pound puppies,” Cleo and Woody. Brittney Tyson - Ranch Assistant  When I was only a year old, my Paw Paw entered me into a lead line class. Though I don't remember it, my family says I was smiling the whole time. Ever since then, horses have been my passion. I used to ride at my grandparents ranch in Texas until they lost it many years ago. I remember my first horse was a grey mare that my Paw Paw got me when I was 6 or 7. He decided to let me name her, so I gave her the name Baby Doll Piglet, after the Winnie the Pooh character. From 6th to 9th grade, when I lived in Georgia, I volunteered at a local Theraputic Riding Stable. I learned a lot of fun and exciting things during my time there, many of the things that I still know today. Working there made my passion for horses grow because I saw how the horses changed the lives of the disabled kids. Lessons were also given to the public, which helped me be a better horse person. I remember a tall, 16.3 hh paint gelding named Luke, who had a personality like no other and manners that needed work. While the other kids learned dressage and jumping, I learned to teach Luke how to behave! The winter of 2006 I got my second horse, a gorgeous chestnut Quarter Horse mare by the name of Abby. This mare was my everything! Even though she lived with my grandparents in Alabama, our bond was unlike anything else. She was the first horse I trained, and with help from my Paw Paw, Abby and I became true friends. I will never ever forget the first time I sat on her back, the first time we galloped across the field, it was like magic. The summer of 2008 my family and I ended up moving to Arizona due to my stepdad's job. I thought I wouldn't be able to survive because I couldn't bring Abby with me. The first few months in Arizona I searched far and wide for an affordable riding stable, but wound up empty handed. I found out about Equine Voices from my art teacher in my junior year. I went to the website and signed up for an orientation. Since then, Equine Voices has become my second home. I always thought that horses were all about riding, but ever since I started volunteering here that perception has changed. Horses are so much more than just a fun a ride, they are our companions. I am thrilled to be hired as Ranch Assistant. It's the first real job I've had and I'm very excited for what this job will teach me. | |
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