A single look at either of them, and you know that they not only love each other, they trust each other.Will Rogers once said “There is nothing on the inside of a man that the outside of a horse can’t fix”. The same is true with a horse and a child who has emotional and physical challenges.
Being the parent of a child who has multiple physical, emotional and developmental delays, who has many limitations, I’ve seen first hand the transformation that happens when, through therapeutic riding, you bring a horse and child together.
A little girl who had poor social skills, was frightened at trying new things, was uncoordinated, suddenly blossoms into a little girl who can’t wait to see her horse, can sit up proudly in the saddle and confidently interact with this living creature that to others is “just a horse”. For her, the therapeutic horse is a counselor, friend, companion, teacher. The disabilities no longer matter. Easy doesn’t care that she can’t ride her bike, or walk a straight line, or any of the other things she can’t do. Easy only cares about the transformation that they both experience through each other.
My daughter, the little one in the pictures, suffers from Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, FASD. FASD occurs when a pregnant woman consumes alcohol during her pregnancy. The damage that is caused to the unborn baby last a lifetime. There is no cure. However it is 100% preventable. If you are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant, say NO to alcohol. There is no safe amount.
Finding a therapy program that works is very challenging. We’ve been through many. Finding Serenity Farm in Lucky, Ohio, was one of the happiest days in my daughter’s young life.
Kimberlie Morris