A few years ago, I volunteered at a local farm helping with the handicapped riding program. The program consisted of many different handicaps, mental and physical. I started assisting because I felt the need to help someone less fortunate than me and plus they needed the extra hands. Having years of knowledge of horses came in quite handy. Knowledge of horses comes in handy, but is not required.
There are various jobs in helping with the handicapped riding. The horse needs to be groomed and tacked up for the particular rider. At the end of the ride, untacking and cooling out the horse is needed, then hosing it down or grooming it, depending on the weather. During the ride, a person on each side of the horse walk along to make sure the rider stays on the horse and does not fall. You also have one person leading the horse. This person controls the horse, making sure the horse does it's job and doesn't run off. (One requirement for the horses to be in the handicapped riding program is that they need to be bomb-proof. They must be dead quiet. It takes a special horse to be in this program.)
What I enjoyed most about volunteering with this program were the rewards. It was amazing what the horse brought out in these people. One gentleman in the program always showed up at the barn oblivious to his surroundings. It was like he was in another world. When it came to help him onto the horse, you saw that he reached for the horse and wanted to ride. During the ride, he would sing a song to himself and you could see that he was very happy. Once he dismounted, he was back in never-never land. It was great to see him aware of things during those 30 minutes.
Another rider was a 21 year old girl, wheel chair bound and no control over her muscles. The minute she was wheeled into the barn, right away her spirits lifted and couldn't wait to ride. She was in heaven while on the horse. It was like she had finally found freedom. She chattered away and smiled and laughed during her ride.
Then there was a little 5 year old girl who came for her lesson in the program. She had no physical disability, but she was withdrawn. She never spoke to anyone. She started riding a pony, named Star, and even though it took awhile, she slowly started to open up. She was at the point where she was telling Star not to go for grass, to walk and trot. It was a great improvement since she first started. Not to mention, her riding improved greatly, too. Her riding skills, in my opinion, were better than some adults.
Seeing all these improvements in these people really made me feel good. It is amazing the good the horse will bring out in people in many different ways. And, at times, you will see the horse actually trying to help the rider. Maybe that's one of the reasons why I love horses. Always have, and always will.
Laura,
I think the horse is the best therapy anyone can have. Even if you don't have any handicaps, the horse is great therapy. I rememer when I had to put my first horse down, I went down to the barn and spent time with my other horse. He felt the same pain I did and we each consoled each other. Even when I went through my divorce. My horses were there for me. One thing for sure, you can tell them your secrets and you KNOW that they will not tell a soul. I must admit, my horse knows an awful lot. Maybe that's why we get along so well.