Known in natural horsemanship circles as one who speaks for the horses as well as the relationships built between people and horses, the singer/songwriter Mary Ann Kennedy penned the following words in her song When You Carry Me: “What is this love that runs so deep? We try to be the best that we can be for them. With every stride and every move, it’s up to us to prove, it is a dance between horse and man, spirits in unity. I will be true, when I ride you, in perfect harmony when you carry me.”
With these eloquently written words, Mary Ann manages to effectively describe the events to be witnessed during the summer riding program here at East Point Horspice. Her insightful thoughts demonstrate that developing meaningful interactions with horses is an activity that transcends merely saddling up and riding in circles. The movements of the horse, the kind eye with reciprocating glances, the touching of the hair and stroking of the mane bring the riders and horses closer in a heartfelt interplay with long-lasting mental, physical, and spiritual improvements. To witness these outcomes as a volunteer or family member can be equally softer than a whisper or as violent as standing in the wash of a jet engine. Mary Ann’s words “spirits in unity” are successfully accomplished even if this was never the intention. Riders in previous years have consistently reached consequential “unity” and “harmony” with the EPH herd due the horse’s non-judgmental and honest demeanor. The sheer beauty of the unencumbered love shared between horses and people has, and continues to be, the driving force of this program.
Therapy has different meanings for everyone; something that elicits a therapeutic response can be defined more accurately by individuals with vast experience and educational backgrounds. However, there can never be denied the genuine smiles and unsolicited giggles as testimony to the effects of being around the horses. The EPH horses have become an avenue for riders to develop personally, perhaps come out of a protective shell, and learn that the big, scary world has much to offer through the acquisition of new friends. The horses, with their gates and movements which mimic that of a human, have proven effective in physical improvements of riders who have been subjected to a stroke, cerebral palsy, or muscular skeletal deficiencies. Using the horses as a spiritual analogy between themselves and the holy spirit has left deep and long-lasting reflections of one’s relationship with the physical world.
The horses encourage anyone who believes that a relationship with them can improve your life in many fundamental ways, perhaps even ways not previously considered, to contact EPH today for more information about the 10-week program. The sessions will begin on Thursday May 12th at 5:30 p.m. While there is a fee to ride, there are also scholarships available to those that qualify. Riding will occur on Thursday or Friday evenings culminating with the annual BBQ at the Memorial Volunteer Center on July 29th. For further details, check out www.eastpointhorspice.com or contact Charlene at eph@bbc.net or (308) 762-3848. If you have an interest in volunteering and bearing witness to the magical interactions of riders and horses, you are also encouraged to inquire. There will be a volunteer orientation on Thursday May 5th at 5:30. The life you change may be your own.