We had 3 volunteers and one licensed therapist with each of the horses as the children took their ride. One volunteer on each side of the horse to steady and protect the child. One person up front who knew how to read the horse, his eyes, his ears, etc. They would lead the therapy horse. Then the licensed therapist would help the child do different exercises to develop muscular and sensitivity skills. The hardest part of the therapy session was literally trying to get the kids off of the horses, they didn't want to stop. My Veterinarian wife and I adopted a very special baby who suffered from cerebral palsy and who was a quadriplegic. He is now 16 years old and is still confined to his wheelchair. Mikey goes to a public school and has what I call a "magic" dot glued between his eyebrows. The dot is a computer mouse that he uses to work his computer. Wherever he looks the cursor goes! He has learned to read, write, do math and even writes poetry. Not bad for a quadriplegic that has to eat through a feeding tube and can't talk. Mikey is my hero!
Mikey and I at the Equine Day of the Special Olympics.
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