My youngest daughter Vanessa has been riding horse once a week for almost 3 years. Her and Cherokee make a great pair. Vanessa loves to cantor and Cherokee will "go" at the slightest kick, and stops on a dime for her. She started with horse therapy, being lead around an arena, and for over two years now, has been taking lessons and riding independantly.
Vanessa has anxiety, sensory processing disorder (SPD) and is on the autism spectrum. She tells me she feels the best when she is "in the water, or on a horse". Suprisingly to me, but not her speech and occupational therapists, horse riding has helped immensely with her reading! She use to struggle, and now is a book worm, who loves to read - constantly (well above her grade level)! Equine therapy has been known to help many kids with autism. Unfortunately health insurance companies don't acknowledge this as therapy, so it is not covered. But, luckily for us, we have a high school student, who for $20/hour, gives Vanessa a private one-on-one lesson. Which, is actually cheaper than the $30 copay we pay every time, for each of her other therapies / medical appts (which ARE covered by insurance).
Sorry, I got rambly here.
I just love to see Vanessa smiling - when she's doing what she loves.
I have volunteered in Therapeutic riding programs, still own and ride a horse, brought up my daughter on a horse. They are amazing creatures. They teach us how to "be" in the world.
