KDSN RADIO News
Stables 4 Jed Hoping Horses Help With Grief Therapy
Stables 4 Jed in Manning is looking to involve horses in helping promote mental health in rural Iowa.
Rob Riesselman says his family started the non-profit organization after tragically losing their 4-year-old son, Jed, in August 2021.
“My wife and her family have always been around horses. If anything was tough they would go on a horse ride. After he passed I kind of felt that connection with the horses and with him. It seems to help because horses are therapeutic,” said Riesselman.
A licensed therapist would guide people through traditional counseling and interactions with a horse to help deal with any kind of loss. Riesselman says it actually worked for him in a way.
“I showed up and I was like I don’t want to ride a horse. I don’t want to be around the horses. I like looking at them. The kids got involved and with the kids once they get on a horse it’s hard to get them off. Just seeing them and their joy with it kind of took me into it too,” said Riesselman.
He says it’s simply about being there for others who are going through difficult times.
“We’re not doing this for a legacy side of it. We are doing this because we are hurting and we know that other people are hurting and we want to help. The branch of my tree got cut off and we’re turning it into a community branch now. That’s who Jed was. He was a bright light everywhere he went and we want to just do what he would do,” said Riesselman.
Stables 4 Jed is looking to raise $500,000 to build a 3200-square-foot facility and bring grief therapy with equestrian involvement to Western Iowa.
