Healing with Horses [PHOTOS]
Sinclair, who battles cerebral palsy, came to the program with a phobia of touching. Anthony gave him small pony gloves and now he is able to hold the reigns and is even able to use verbal cues. “Some come to us as little heaps,” said Anthony. “And before they know it they’re riding. It’s amazing. A lot of non-verbal kids even start to talk.” According to Anthony, a lot of the kids progress to riding independently and others just enjoy the movement of the horse. “I give them confidence and as much instruction and horse knowledge as I can give them.” Almost 20 years ago, two friends went out for coffee. They were both horsewomen and one of the ladies had a child with special needs. She wanted to pass on her love of horses to her son, but didn’t know how to start. They brainstormed ideas and soon a group of Peninsula friends put together a program to teach horsemanship to people otherwise unable to participate. Later in the year, their afternoon of coffee turned into the South Bay’s only therapeutic riding program, called Ride to Fly. “Horses are quiet and non-judgmental— it’s a safe place for them,” said instructor Lea Anthony. “These kids get judged everyday in their lives… These…
Read this story on easyreadernews.com