Horses becoming a more common therapeutic tool

After David Paul Harper gets a boost onto Trigger, one of the therapy horses at Camp DD in Cottonwood, he asks a simple question.

“How do you start it?”

With a chuckle, Camp Director Dina Bright tells David to put a quarter in it. All kidding aside, Bright then begins a series of instructions for David and another camp visitor who will be leading Trigger around the round pen as David rides.

Therapeutic riding is a concept that has been around for years. In the Wiregrass, it’s becoming a more common therapeutic approach. There are numerous ranches, camps and counseling practices that combine horse riding with other therapy strategies.

The movement of the horse is said to benefit those in need of physical, occupational or even speech therapy. The horse’s gait is supposed to help with balance, posture, muscle tone, coordination and working with the horse is believed to help emotional well-being.

“The horse’s gait is the closest thing to the human gait,” said Carllee Jones, a certified instructor with NARHA, the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association.

Jones started LifeSavers Therapeutic Riding Center, which is located a Tumbleweed Ranch Boarding and Training Facility in the Tumbleton community.

Similar to hippotherapy, which is performed by physical therapists or other similar professionals, therapeutic riding is used for a variety of conditions from autism and cerebral palsy to spinal and back injuries.

Dee Dawkins started Camp DD in Cottonwood in 2006 as well as a similar camp in Brundidge called Camp R&R. His organization is known as Southeast Alabama CARES (Children and Recreational Equestrian Services).

The camps provide counseling not only for troubled children but the entire family if needed, incorporating the horses as necessary. Clients can pick their horse – most of which were donated to the camp. With 60 employees, Southeast Alabama CARES has people who are trained to work with both humans and horses. They help clients with behavioral issues, anger management, addiction and depression.

Dawkins said there’s just something special when a person, especially a child, connects with a horse.

“They are a tool,” Dawkins said. “Sometimes kids can’t relate to people.”

At Camp DD, children can also participate in fishing and archery activities. When a whole family is receiving counseling, Dawkins said the idea is to get the family working together. Many activities are intended to be self-esteem builders.

“It’s a very basic simple program,” he said.

At Lifesavers, Carllee Jones works with children and adults who might need help due to cerebral palsy, autism, spinal bifida or accidental injuries. Some ride for the physical benefits; some ride for the emotional and cognitive benefits.

“There are children with autism who won’t speak to people but will speak to the horse,” Jones said. “They’ll have conversations with the horses.”

And, of course, it takes a special horse.

“The horses absolutely know when the child is on them,” Jones said.

During a recent therapy session, 7-year-old Samuel Teal of Headland rode Sophia. With volunteers on each side of the horse to hold Samuel, Jones led him through a series of activities. Before and after the session, Samuel helped Jones get Sophia ready – all part of his therapy.

Samuel was born with a diaphragmatic hernia, which caused the other organs of his abdomen to develop in his chest cavity and prevented the proper development of his lungs. Samuel has struggled with a number of developmental delays and just started walking two years ago. He has been coming to LifeSavers for therapeutic riding since March.

The riding has helped him with his balance and strengthening his legs, according to his step-father, Chris Solomon.

“It makes me forget about my worries,” Solomon said of Samuel. “He’s just taken what life has given him and run with it.”