INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Tucked near the end of a rough road off 66th Avenue sits a special organization devoted to providing those with physical and mental challenges a safe place to ride. The organization for special needs riders has special needs itself and hopes the community will assist.
Over the weekend, Special Equestrians of the Treasure Coast help a volunteer orientation and open house, drawing more than a dozen people interested in learning what the organization is all about.
They watched outside the riding arena as 8-year-old Lindsay Hires, with assistance from other volunteers, mounted her horse, Greta.
“Lindsay, how do we make Greta walk?” asked instructor Joan Swiderski.
“Walk on,” Lindsay said.
Lindsay is one of many riders at Special Equestrians of the Treasure Coast who has a physical or mental challenge. Lindsay was born with Down Syndrome and has been riding for two years.
“She loves it,” said Lindsay’s mom, Barbara Hires.
Hires said she appreciates having a place like Special Equestrians where Lindsay can safely ride.
“I think it’s great,” she said.
Riding helps develop verbal and social skills as well as build balance and strength.
Lindsay demonstrated the strength and balance she has developed – standing in the stirrup and leaning to grab different colored rings from Swiderski’s hand.
“She’s got great balance,” Swiderski said of Lindsay.
At all times, two volunteers walk on either side of the horse, keeping watchful eyes on the rider. Called “side-walkers,” they are expected to be silent and help riders who struggle with the instructor’s directions.
Special Equestrians of the Treasure Coast has been providing a safe place for special needs riders since 1992 and has riders who range in age from 4 to 64.
A few have progressed to the point that they can canter on their own, Swiderski said, a tremendous feat.
But for all the work and support the organization has received from its volunteers and the community at-large, more is still needed.
Special Equestrians recently acquired a new, young horse that will be perfect for the riders, but she came with a higher-than-expected price tag.
“She is an absolute dream,” Swiderski said of Hottie.
The organization needs to raise $1,500 to finish payment on the horse.
Many of the horses Special Equestrians have are in their 20s – old for a horse, which means the organization won’t get many years of riding out them before retiring them.
Having a younger horse, such as Hottie, allows Special Equestrians to get more from the investment.
Along with needing funds to pay for Hottie, a place to permanently call home is also high on the priority list, according to Program Director Vickie Penly.
The organization currently leases the land they are using, which makes it a challenge to construct any improvements.
“Rent goes up regularly,” Penly said, adding that, come November, they will be paying $1,100 each month. “We want to be able to make improvements.”
DJ Osgood, a Boy Scout working on his Eagle project, has adopted the center and laid pavers to connect the barn with the riding arena to assist those in wheelchairs or who use walkers to get from Point A to Point B. He is also working on building a dressage ring.
Penly said they would love for someone to donate 10 to 20 acres of land to Special Equestrians of the Treasure Coast, so they would not have to worry about raising the money needed for rent and could, instead, focus on their riders’ needs.
The organization is also in constant need of volunteers to help take care of the horses and riders.
Among the members, there are two nurses and a physical therapist – all equipped to handle the challenges that come with assisting those with special needs. They are PATH certified, meaning they have passed the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship accreditation process.
“We always need volunteers,” said Penly. “It’s a hard place to volunteer. There’s no air conditioning. It’s hot, wet and miserable.”
But worth it, she said, explaining that she has first-hand experience seeing the difference riding can make to a person with physical or mental challenges.
Her daughter, Michelle, began riding when she was 4, before they moved to Florida. Riding built up Michelle’s confidence and strength, her balance and speech.
“She became independent,” Penly said of her now-26-year-old daughter.
Michelle is now working and can drive.
“I never thought I’d ever see that,” Penly said. “She thinks she can do anything.”
For more information about Special Equestrians of the Treasure Coast, located at 7280 53rd St., Vero Beach, visit www.special-equestrians.org, or call (772) 532-3299.