Everyday life can be challenging and overwhelming for a child who has difficulty walking, talking or communicating with others. However, the special needs children enrolled in the Special Equestrians of the Treasure Coast horsemanship classes are given the chance to feel as if they are carefree cowboys riding the range or derby-winning jockeys.
Those feelings of exhilaration and accomplishment shone through on the contagious smiles of the children who rode in an equestrian exhibition during this year’s Blue Jeans and BBQ fundraiser.
Sitting high in the saddle atop the nonprofit’s steady steeds, each of the four participants were guided by mounted instructors and assisted by volunteer walkers on either side.
“Being around horses is very therapeutic, especially for a person with physical, developmental or emotional disabilities,” said Karen Johnson, SETC executive director.
Johnson said they currently have some 35 special needs students attending three- to 10-week sessions, at a cost of $35 per session, which run from September through May.
“Riding helps them with balance and confidence,” said Johnson.
“We also have a horsemanship program for students who are unable to ride for whatever reason. They spend time in the barn learning how to care for a horse. Just being around our gentle horses instills a sense of purpose and independence,” she added.
The program extends to adults as well, using equine therapy to help enrich the quality of life for female cancer survivors through Friends Beyond Diagnosis and for adults with dementia.
Most of the horses are in their 20s and spent their earlier years as polo ponies, western game horses and jumpers. Now past their prime, they have been retrained as exceptional therapy animals, and have the patience and understanding needed to give their riders confidence.
Since 1992, SETC has provided equine assistance to individuals challenged by mental, developmental, and emotional disabilities, growing from one horse and a couple of volunteers to a stable of eight horses and some 35 to 40 dedicated volunteers.
As safety is paramount, all of the volunteer instructors are certified by PATH (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International).
“We couldn’t help these children without the help of volunteers,” Johnson emphasized.
“We only have five staff members including myself, so we rely heavily on our volunteers. Anyone can volunteer. You don’t even need to know anything about horses. We will teach you.”
This year SETC started a new Horse Powered Reading program where first-graders from Dodgertown Elementary School are bused to the farm for a fun-filled four hours of horse-themed reading and learning. The program, funded by the Grand Harbor Community Outreach Program, teaches children about horses and incorporates the information into science and math activities.
“While they don’t actually ride the horses, the children love being around them and petting them,” said Diana Parentela, SETC board president. “They do get to mount Able, our mechanical horse, to get a taste of what riding a real horse is like.”
SETC plans to move from their 37th Avenue site to a 24-acre parcel in Fellsmere, generously gifted by an anonymous donor. Future plans include a barn with a covered arena for lessons, along with additional space to increase programming.
For more information, visit SpecialEquestriansTreasureCoast.org.
