The Inside of a Horse

Have you horse lovers ever heard that quote by Winston Churchill? "The outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man"? There's no denying it's true.

But with therapy riding, you can almost switch things up and say that the inside of a horse is good for the outside of a man.  Or a kid.

remington on keebler

Besides getting self esteem and encouragement from being in a good environment, physically disabled kids get stronger and improve their balance and coordination on horseback.

jack on amigo

Sitting a horse's walk make your hips move the same way as if you were walking yourself.  But this way, there's not as much danger of falling.

At the therapy riding place where I volunteer, we go in teams of one horse, one rider, one leader, and, depending on the stability of the rider, zero to two side walkers.  

We do exercises with the kids like hands on helmet and arms "out like an airplane".  We weave cones and stop and start to increase balance.  There are flags, balls, and squishy rings to hold and throw, all in vivid, bright colors.

amelia on beauty

During each session, the therapy horses patiently carry riders on to peace and progress, physically and mentally.  Each week, both our riders and volunteers reap the rewards that come with the inside and outside of a horse.

Along with very sore limbs the next day.

- Ellyn