By Anthony D. Rabak
In 2000, while Valerie and I were living in Elk Grove, I
finally got a confirmed name for the strange neurological sensations I’d been
experiencing: RRMS, a disorder called Relapsing Remitting Multiple
Sclerosis. I was looking for ways
to deal with my new medical acquisition and I learned about equine therapy.
Turns out, horse riding is something beneficial when dealing with a disability.
Enjoyable therapy? I had to learn more. Why a horse? These majestic creatures,
being a dynamic living animal, provide a unique multi-sensory means of therapy:
the shape of their backs provides a perfect platform. Their pelvis is like ours
in that it has a three-dimensional movement (up, down, and side to side). Their
gait simulates our walking and the repeating motion helps a rider improve
muscle tone, strength, posture, flexibility and balance. A horse’s natural
rhythm gently moves muscles and the spine. Sitting on a horse can stretch hip
joints reducing pain and spasticity in the legs. Many restricted to wheelchairs,
braces or crutches can feel mobile again when riding a horse. On the outside
you may just see a body riding a horse, inside it’s actually a spirit soaring.
Besides physical benefit, horse riding improves social and
communication skills, self-esteem, self-awareness and self-achievement. I weigh
115 pounds with two weak legs, yet I successfully control an 1100 pound animal
with four strong ones. An
empowering, goal-oriented and enjoyable therapy. Trained instructors needed
volunteers and, of course, the horses all make this possible.
After diagnosis, I found a local program, but they had a
long waiting list. It was two years before I received my call offering a riding
spot. Unfortunately, it came when packing the last boxes to start our new life
in Grass Valley. Once we moved, I was
blessed to find an organization that answered my prayers to ride: Horses
for Healing. I rode a couple of years before I had a paralyzing set-back that
kept me out of the saddle for a year. Fortunately, with physical therapy and
faith, I regained my ability to walk with crutches. Over the last 2 years, I’m
riding tall again! (When you’re under 5’2”, that’s a big thing!)
Some believe angels have two wings, I’ve learned that some
have four legs!
“There’s something about the outside of a horse that’s is
good for the inside of a man.”
Teddy Roosevelt
This is especially true of the benefits of therapeutic riding
for children and adults with special needs, the disabled, the autistic, as well
as troubled teens.
