Horses for Healing looks much like any other riding stable with lots of smiling, laughing kids and lots of well loved horses and ponies. Then you look a little closer. That's when you notice that Horses for Healing's students are in wheelchairs or are using crutches. Some are mentally retarded, emotionally challenged or are blind or deaf. Then you realize that this is no ordinary stable.
My name is Sydney Morris. I was born 3 months too early and have a whole list of special needs. As I was growing up,
I started realizing that I wasn’t like the other kids. I couldn’t skip, jump, run or keep up with kids even younger than me. I tried dance, gymnastics, soccer and many other things to help make me stronger but nothing worked. It was easier to just stay home in my room.
One day, my doctor told me about Horses for Healing. Since I love animals, I figured I would, at least, get to pet some cool horses. I started riding a pony when I was 7 years old and, from the first day, I loved it! I was having so much fun and was making new friends. I was also getting stronger.
I’m now a teenager and ride in the Sports Riding Program at Horses for Healing and have a horse of my own. Riding was supposed to help me in many ways, like my coordination, balance and other things, but most of all, it has helped me feel good about myself. I have found a place where I feel comfortable.
This is a story about a girl named Alisha, a big, brown, lovable dog named Lucy, and an unbelievably docile pony named Winky.
Hate to wear a helmet – or any kind of hat for that matter? Well, multiply that feeling a hundred times and you get some idea of how Alisha (not pictured) felt the first time she attended a therapy class at Horses for Healing. She’s developmentally delayed, mildly autistic and was adamantly determined not to let anyone or anything touch her head...and of course, everyone must wear a helmet to ride at Horses for Healing.
While Alisha tends to shut out people, she related immediately to Lucy as soon as she got to the stable, and Lucy, sensed the need and stayed with her. When Alisha saw the other children riding, she wanted more than anything to ride, too. Alisha's speech is limited, but she could make the two-fingered sign for "horse" and say, "moo," with enthusiasm. However, the helmet was still a problem. Alisha went to Winky's stall where the instructor put a helmet on herself, then on Lucy, and even on Winky – with much patting of the helmet and patience on the part of Winky and Lucy. They were making it clear that wearing a helmet was no big deal. Eventually Alisha would hold the helmet under her arm and pat it, but she still wouldn't keep it on her head.
The instructor and volunteers saddled Winky, put the helmet on Alisha, and put her on the pony...and took her off as soon as she removed the helmet. After a couple of tries, something clicked in Alisha’s mind, and the helmet stayed. There was Alisha, big smile, helmet on, even reaching up with one hand to pat the helmet on her head because she didn’t want to have to get off her pony.
This year 400 special needs children in Northwest Arkansas will benefit from this proven “equine therapy” offered at Horses for Healing. The leading official accreditation-granting association in the U.S. is North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA). United Way-supported Horses for Healing is currently one of only two NARHA premier-accredited facilities in Arkansas.
As you can imagine, when you work with these special children and see them accomplish so much more than what others may expect of them, it builds within you a desire to share this experience with others. The organizations and individuals who provide funds are invited to come at any time to see the miracles that the volunteers and instructors see every day. You are an important part of making these types of miracles happen. For that, we thank you.