First in ñ- last out. In March 2017, near Riga, Latvia ó the order mattered. Twenty-one-year-old Ft. Carson E-4 Spc. Drew Joyner, driver of a carbon monoxide-filled M1A2 Abrams tank, would be the last pulled out. He was lifeless. The member of 1-68 Armored was placed in an induced coma until stabilized. Unresponsive to efforts to wake him, the physician ñ- believing a life-long coma likely ñ- began inserting a feeding tube. The procedure snapped Joyner from twilight.Transfers, surgeries and therapies would lead him to Ft. Carsonís Warrior Transition Unit, where he was viewed, not as broken, but as someone who had something extraordinary happen to him. He would medal in Warrior Games; yet, find himself feeling incredibly alone. The weight of his losses made Joyner feel he might be last-out, once again. He learned of The Remount Foundation ó a program using equine therapy for warriors like him. It made him think of times on the family ranch.Remount horses kept him in the moment. No stress. No hyper-vigilance. Despair lifted. Loneliness abated. Peace took up residence. While Joynerís greatest obstacle was loneliness, anger was Travis Ellistonís overarching challenge. ìItís not uncommon for many to be looking for a beehive to kick,î Elliston said. The retired Command Sgt. Maj. served multiple infantry tours. ìI was blown up a few times,î he said.Like Joyner, Ellistonís experience with horses predates his association with Remount. Elliston roped cattle on a family ranch. Now the Horsemanship Coach for the Air Force Academy Rodeo Team, others seek him out for his knowledge, including the Remount executive director, Billy Jack Barrett, for whom Elliston helps locate program horses.It was through their association with Remount that Joyner and Elliston learned of riding spots open to them at the NVRHA/KCRC Annual Ranch Horse Round Up ñ Healing Our Military Event. Held in late July, the weekend RHRUP taught riders ranch versatility while hosting silent, live auctions and a stick pony calcutta.ìI loved the event,î Joyner said. ìI had never done arena work before.î The ranch riding clinician said, ìThe first time is messy; second time, more comfortable. By the time you compete, you know you can do it if you focus.î Joyner earned a fourth-place ribbon in ranch trail.Elliston enjoyed meeting people with character. ìEveryone was supportive of horses and veterans,î he said. ìEveryone wanted to help each other ó much like my experience in the military. The ëRound Upí was like a chess game. There were two cattle events and two controlled events. I had to adjust my state of mind to bring my horse up and then bring my horse down ó a much-welcome aspect of the experience. It was a well-organized community event with a plethora of different masses of people; yet, there were no cliques.îAs Joyner and Elliston are aligned and thankful for the purpose and goals of RHRUP, so too are they aligned with the purpose and goals of the Remount Foundation. Elliston has seen firsthand how some ñ- including himself ó choose to cope with what theyíve been through. He admitted his humor can be a form of deflection; a way to not dwell on certain things. He roused laughter from the audience as he implored the ìBarebackî Stick Pony Calcutta Race gallery to root and cheer for ìLuckyî (his steady steed with no eyes and only ìluckyî enough to have a partial ear).While Elliston uses humor, Joynerís approach is to look at life with a full heart and a warm belly. When asked what his advice would be for those facing external and hidden injuries such as his, Joyner said, ìI knew I needed to stop being prideful and embarrassed. Weíre all warriors. No need to be afraid or ashamed of getting help. Physical and mental pain is not helping you in your daily life. No one is going to look at you different. You are not the only one. Ditch the shame shadow.îJoyner is currently interning at Remount with a desire to join the staff. Elliston recently earned his certification/degree in equine assisted psychotherapy.ìIt is a rare gift to be able to guide someone through it,î Elliston said. ìIt is encouraging for me to see other veterans come through Remount, from our Vietnam veterans to those currently serving.îEllistonís empathy is for those who might not realize their need: ìI had no recognition of my TBI (traumatic brain injury) symptoms for a year.î He had the responsibility of overseeing thousands of soldiers. He knows the impact to those without support. ìSome wonít ask for help. They donít want their ability questioned,î he said. ìThe number of suicides from my unit since return is 14. Outsiders werenít there to witness what the soldier experienced. Depression can follow.î Elliston paused before continuing, ìThere is undue stigma attached to PTSD (post traumatic stress syndrome). Not everyoneís suicidal.îAs a spokesman for Remount, his passion for the program is contagious. ìContentment comes. Lightbulbs come on. There is not enough money in the world [to take me away from] removing that darkness Ö . Remount saves lives.îThe Ranch Horse Round Up 2019 net proceeds estimate is $12,900, which will be split between Pikes Peak YMCA/Camp Shady Brook and The Remount Foundation. Both organizations provide summer camp for children of fallen/injured soldiers. The Y will add a couple more horses next year -ñ thanks to RHRUP. Remount provides additional services, such as equine therapy for PTSD, TBI and other internal and external injuries.More information is available at https://remountfoundation.org and https://ppymca.org/camp-shady-brook or https://nvrha.org (click on 5th Annual Ranch Horse Round Up).
