The 2021 East Point Horspice therapeutic riding program began on May 13 and 14 filled with smiles, giggles, excitement and a horseful of equine magic. True to a horse’s nature, the silent partners were living in the moment and sharing their special brand of mental and physical therapy.
The sessions typically begin around 5:30 p.m. with volunteers and riders haltering their horses to take them to the tie rails. At this point, riders are gently encouraged by the volunteers to brush the horses which begins the development of a relationship through the sensations of sight, touch and smell as the winter coats are being shed and brushed off sending large amounts of horse hair wafting in the breeze. After hooves are picked, the horses are saddled then led to the starting point of the session where the riders mount. A bell is rung to announce the official beginning of the session. After a brief period to warm-up through stretches and exercises, the group congregates around Charlene who then explains what will transpire during the evening. Utilizing game-like activities, the riders and volunteers (typically two side walkers and a leader for each horse) go from station to station to experience what has been laid out. This past week saw a horse-sized xylophone for the musically-inclined, cones to slalom their trusty steeds through and a game reminiscent of basketball but with, as is the case normally, balls and a hoop proportionate to the animals they ride. When you have this much fun, bigger is always better.
After the bell rings designating the end of the hour-long riding session, riders dismount then assist the volunteers in leading the horses back to the tie rails for unsaddling and more brushing. This grooming at the end serves many purposes: the riders get more literal hands-on activity, the riders gain more sense of responsibility for the care of their horse, and they are reminded that this is a nice way to thank the horses for allowing them to ride and experience being in control of these massive animals. This closing period finds the riders and volunteers reflecting back on the evening also creating an opportunity to incubate friendships and bonds with people of similar interests.
Week one is done with nine more to go. That means nine more chances to witness the incredible journey horses can deliver through the summer with the riders. The EPH motto of being the place that “Brings people and horses together” is never more evident than during the riding sessions. EPH always welcomes new riders and volunteers and encourages anyone with an interest to contact us and become involved. The EPH email is eph@bbc.net, the phone number is (308) 762-3848 and the website is www.eastpointhorspice.com.