Many of you who know me personally know that the power of horses in the context of therapy is something very near and dear to my heart. What you may not know is why.
At 17 years old I spent the summer running the kids’ program at a local working cattle and guest ranch. While there I had the privilege of teaching a lesson to a nonverbal autistic boy whose family came to the ranch every year. I will never forget my boss, the head wrangler, coming up to me that morning to share that this particular student rarely stayed on his horse for long but however long he did was just fine by him and the family. I went about my day and taught the lesson without really thinking much about it; but I did try to encourage and reward action instead of verbal confirmation. The boy did a great job engaging my lesson horse and listening to my instructions. He stayed on for the full duration of his lesson - we had a great time. The next day my boss pulled me aside. The boy’s mother had called him. She had spent the evening in front of the fireplace in their cabin crying - from the joy of seeing her son genuinely and positively engaged for so long in one thing - horseback riding.
In that moment I was struck by the impact that horses can have for us all as humans. They are truly a balm to our souls when we create the space to let them be - a profound type of therapy.
Throughout the years I have been drawn to opportunities that allow me to connect humans and horses in this way. When my husband and I got married we asked our guests to donate in lieu of gifts. We each picked a local nonprofit to support; at this point it will come as no surprise to you that mine was a therapeutic riding program. I have volunteered at therapeutic riding centers up and down the West Coast on and off for over 20 years. Even at Little Bird Farm about 20% of my lesson program utilized horseback riding as an active form of therapy.
Continuing the legacy of this long-standing value in my relationship with horses and people, I am excited to announce that I have been invited to join the Board of Directors for Horses of Hope, a fantastic nonprofit therapeutic riding center based out of Turner, Oregon.
_____________________________________________
If you have questions, want help with your business operations, or want to learn more about Equestripreneur (EQPR), don’t hesitate to reach out.
Equestripreneur offers resources, coaching, and community for equine industry pros like you!
Learn more about author Kristin Bowers.
Blog posts from Equestripreneur are not meant to replace individual professional advice, which will best inform personal circumstances.
Comentários