Horse Power
by Beth
In addition to my job here moderating the Easter Seals and Autism blog, I keep a personal blog about my writing life and the childrens book I wrote. A few weeks ago I sat on a panel about blogging at the Southeast Wisconsin Festival of books. During the panel I mostly talked about my personal blog, since the festival was about books and all. I did manage to bring up the Easter Seals and Autism blog at least once, though. Okay, twice. Maybe three times! All I know is that I brought up autism enough to draw the interest of a librarian in the audience.
Alli Chase is the Library Director of a small rural public library in Eagle, Wisconsin. She also volunteers with Horse Power Healing Center at Jericho Farms, in Eagle. Horse Power is a pending non-profit that works with kids and adults with autism and other disabilities. “Maybe you know folks who would be interested in knowing about this kind of program?” she asked. I said I did.
I contacted Ali when I got back home and she directed me to this wonderful story on the Jericho Creek Farms site written by the mother of a boy with autism.
Brindley, who is now 10, has severe autism and limited speech. It was my hope that riding a horse would motivate Brindley to speak more, learn new responsibilities, and practice some social skills. I had no doubt in my mind that this would be an awesome experience for him, given the fact that the few times he had been on a horse, his smile was always lit with a special joy.
In preparing for our first trip to Jericho Creek Farm, Liz (Brindley’s home therapist) wrote a social story for Brindley that we read to him a few times, so that he knew what to expect from the experience. This helped reduce Brindley’s anxiety, which often accompanies his excitement.
On Brindley’s first trip to the farm he was introduced to Chaheetah, a white and speckled Morab horse with a gentle disposition. He was taught how to brush the horse, and after his dad helped him on to Chaheetah, the horse was led around the arena.
Brindley was taught the commands,wWalk on!” and “whoa!” so he could learn how to make the horse go and stop. His face was filled with happiness and pride.
Brindley has completed four lessons now and has learned to brush his horse and thank Chaheetah when the lessons are done. He puts the helmet and saddle away at the end of each lesson and always gives Chaheetah a treat before he leaves. His mother reports Brindley has retained the new vocabulary he’s learned, and that spontaneous language has occurred at the farm, not only concerning Chaheetah, but also about the kittens who live in the barn.
One day Brindley indicated we should take one of the kittens home when he spontaneously said, “Orange cat, Mama home.” Brindley has initiated conversations at school and on the bus about the “white horse,” and how it is the day to “ride Chaheetah.” He has taken an interest in sharing his new world with others and I can’t be more thrilled.
Gee, you never know who you might meet at a book festival. I’m sure glad I ran into Alli the librarian!
June 30th, 2010 at 1:11 pm
I’ve been afraid of horses almost all of my life. They always seemed so large. In 2010, I decided to try horseback riding lessons. I’ve had 4 lessons so far. I ride Chaheetah. I look forward to my next 8 lessons.
My first impressions are that learning to groom the horse, put on the blanket and saddle, and ride has been great. There is a wonderful bond between Chaheetah and myself. I feel empowered and riding isn’t about what I can’t do but only about what I can do. I feel a sense of accomplishment after each lesson. I have to give credit to Wendy who is teaching and coaching me.
I went to a volunteer training session and saw how therapy is done with a horse. What a wonderful program!