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In my little town (population 12,000) we are fortunate to have
Katy, Ken, and the Walk On Therapeutic Riding Program at Double
K Therapeutic Riding Center. In a matter of almost three years,
their program has grown tremendously! Calls are coming from area
agencies (youth and adult), hospitals, schools, and parents all
wanting to enroll riders.
I am especially excited for the upcoming April session to begin,
so once again I can bring my university adapted physical education
students to see what happens in the 'real world' of disability.
While volunteering at the Double K, my students receive hands-on
opportunities with riders with varying disabling conditions (e.g.,
autism, hemiplegia, traumatic brain injured, blind/visually impaired)
and also learn a bit about horses. Most importantly, they see and
assist with the activities each rider performs on his/her horse.
For example, sitting tall in the saddle, holding baskets (with weights
inside), reaching forward petting the horse's mane, reaching behind
touching the tail, or using the reins to lead the horse around the
arena.
In this program each rider has a minimum of three volunteers; a
horse leader, and two side walkers. The side walkers are responsible
for: (a) maintaining contact with the rider while on the horse,
(b) encouraging the rider to perform the tasks Ken asks of the rider,
(c) assisting in providing a comfortable riding atmosphere for the
rider, and (d) having fun! The horse leader is responsible for maneuvering
the horse around the arena and monitoring the lead rope when a rider
is using the reins.
As I finish up my first year of volunteering with this program,
I am always amazed by how quickly our one hour sessions finish.
The human and the horse, a remarkable connection!
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