Horse Love

Saturday, we took Liberty to the Equestrian Center out in the country, about 30 minutes from where we live. I heard that a group called The Leaning Post Ranch was going to be there. They teach special needs children with varying disabilities to ride horses. I don't completely understand how the riding of a horse can be therapeutic, but it was explained to me that the horse's movements are similar to the child's and, especially in those children with sensory integration problems, the horse can help to stabilize or regulate them. Not only do the children learn to ride a horse, but they also participate in the care of the horse they ride with activities such as grooming.

That's a simplified description of a program I have yet to learn more about.

Meanwhile, I walked around the grounds and found the woman who runs the program. A beautiful woman with long flowing white hair loosely tied in a ribbon, and intense marble-blue eyes dressed in brown gauchos and riding boots. I have to tell you I was really drawn to her.

I told her a little bit about my son. She asked me if I wanted to try him with a horse and see how he does. Well, Liberty was hungry and he had not been interested in the petting zoo or any of the other horses that were being shown for adoption or sale that day. The humane society was even there with puppies and he really was not the least bit interested. So, I agreed hesitantly, and told her that Lib was either tired or having an "off" day and so I really was unsure of how he would react.

We walked to the stables and stopped in front of a stall with a sign on the outside that read, "Minnie - Therapy Horse." This horse was anything but small. She was a very large, sort of pale brown with mottled dark brown to black spots scattered about her skin. Actually, she was a very beautiful horse. The woman put a pretty purple rope bridle around her muzzle and held her steady as my husband carried Lib into the stall with Minnie. I watched as my son, immediately and without hesitation, reached out and touched her! My hand flew to my mouth and my eyes filled with tears. Liberty smiled and made some sounds and then he leaned into the horse's thick neck and mane. I tell you I about fainted. It was such a beautiful moment. The woman turned to me and smiled and said, "See? She's a therapy horse. The horse knows the child is different." I told her this seemed kind of like a dolphin experience and she said, "It's exactly like that! The horse knows what the child needs."

I walked out of the stables on a high.

I hope to be taking my son to learn to ride a horse soon. But, first, we deal with the wearing of a helmet. That oughta keep us busy for awhile.

More to come...