Parelli member Sue Pratt posted this story as an update on Parelli Connect, and we decided it would be great to feature as a blog as well! Take it away, Sue:
I work in a volunteer capacity as a coach at my local Riding for the Disabled Centre. I am continually amazed and humbled by what I see our horses doing for our riders, and the mental, emotional & physical changes that I see in the riders. Here’s one little story, of a little change, that isn’t so little in one young girl’s life. I thought I’d share it with you.
One little girl (I will call her Mollie) who started riding with us this year has a lot of trouble with change, as do many people with disabilities. When she first started riding with us, she was paired up with a pony called Barney. It quickly became obvious to me that Barney was not the best match for Mollie. Barney is an Right-Brain Introvert, and Mollie can be rather exuberant with her actions, and Barney was struggling and tending to freeze up. I could see that Mollie would be much better on another horse, Zida, but Mollie had very quickly gotten attached to Barney.
I spoke to Mollie’s mother about changing to another horse, and the look of alarm on her mother’s face told me this was not going to be an easy transition.
With a little bit of tact and a large amount of cunning, we bought Zida in along with Barney, and explained to Mollie that Zida didn’t have anyone to brush or ride her, and asked her if she thought she could give her a bit of attention along with Barney. This she did happily. We then suggested that perhaps after she had ridden Barney, she could give Zida a short ride, so that Zida wasn’t left out. Mollie really enjoyed riding Zida, so then I asked her if she’d like to ride her each week and give Barney a rest, as he was getting a bit tired. Mollie decided that was a good idea, so long as she could still see Barney each week.
Whew, hurdle cleared!
Some weeks later, Zida had cut herself, and couldn’t be ridden that day. Once Mollie was assured that Zida would be fine – and had giggled at the snoring noise Zida was making (she’d been sedated while the vet stitched the cut just before Mollie arrived) – she went back to riding Barney for that day. Mollie could relate to Zida’s injury, as Mollie had got a cut on her forehead a couple of weeks earlier, which had also had to be stitched.
Today was the last week of term, and this morning some of the horses had been moved to the “holiday paddock,” a 100 acre paddock on the other side of the property where the horses are turned out for a break. Zida’s paddock buddy was one of the ponies that had been taken out.
Although she’d been given a new buddy, Zida didn’t cope with this change as well as we thought she would, and was stressing. It was obvious, as the horses were warmed up for the lesson, that Zida was not in a safe rideable state for Mollie. The rest of the class was ready to start, and we didn’t have time to “take the time it takes” and get Zida into a rideable frame of mind.
Gulp. Barney was not available to ride. I had an alternate suitable horse I could let Mollie ride, but this was unexpected change, with no easing into it. I took Zida over to Mollie and explained about how Zida didn’t like change, and that she was missing her buddy, and that I thought she was too upset to be ridden today. “How would you feel about riding old Daisy for a change, just for today, she doesn’t get ridden much and I’m sure she’d love a chance to join in the class? Zida just needs some time to adjust to having a new friend.” Mollie could relate to that, and to her mother & grandmother’s amazement, she said that would be fine, and off she went with Daisy.
This is only one little example of changes we see all the time. It’s amazing what being with these wonderful animals can do for children (and adults). We’ve seen children, who previously wouldn’t talk, chatting and telling us what we should be doing, and what we’re doing wrong! We’ve seen children in wheelchairs build up core strength and require less support. Children with tight leg muscles able to stretch and extend their legs more. Children who couldn’t focus, suddenly engrossed in an activity. Children who are always in trouble at school became well-behaved and happy. Children who were always fidgeting and couldn’t sit still became still and relaxed on the back of a horse.…..
…and one little girl who has learned to cope with change a little bit better.
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Sue,
Thanks for sharing your story. I have similar stories as I run a therapeutic riding program, that is very much like yours, we are small, have to raise all our own funds and are all volunteers. I know sometimes it can be taxing, but everytime I start to lack energy, I remember all the little lives we have touched and that our horses have changed for the better. I also think of all the horses we have saved from uncertain fate. So keep moving forward and doing what you do as you are changing lives for the better!
Sue,
What a beautiful story. Please keep up the good work, for the sake of the horses, as well as the children!! What a wonderful way to share your Light.
Lovely article. I also volunteer at a therapeutic riding center. Miracles large and small happen at every single class. It is so much work for all involved, but so worth it. Thanks for sharing!
Sue, I was SO touched by your story!
Of course we know the horses are incredibly important to the story, I also found your abilities as the “trainer” key to everyone’s success. Your ability to treat everyone involved with utmost dignity and respect and to successfully navigate/meet the needs of the horses, the children AND their families is a huge testament to your horse/people whispering skills. You have a true gift.
Thanks Betty, but I really can’t claim all the credit.
In the earlier instances, I was guided by the gentle tack & diplomacy of Mollies Mum. I learnt lots from seeing how she helped her daughter in difficult/challenging situations.
Well I was inspired by it! I am an alcoholic whisperer and I teach loved ones of addicts how to apply horse whispering techniques to their relationships with chemically dependent people. The lessons I learned fom my horse are being applied indirectly for therapeutic healing : ). It requires much tack and diplomacy to overcome much damaged relations! Parelli methods parallel this work nicely. Life is good! Thanks for teaching me.
Glad you’re inspired, that sounds like very challenging work.
Yes, I find all I’ve learnt through Parelli incredibly helpful, not just with the horses, but also with understanding people and how best to help them.
As I’ve shared some of the stuff I’ve learnt with some of the volunteers its helped them to understand themselves as well
My favorite horse analogy to use regarding alcoholics is to “Stop trying to catch them by chasing them around the pasture. Get them to catch you.” They look at me funny – but we all know it works – ha.
Aww, thanks guys. I wrote this last year, we’re about to start up again for the new year. I’m struggling to find the energy and enthusiasm for another year, as it can be incredibly draining at times. Our center has to raise all its own funds and is run entirely by a small group of volunteers. This reminder of why we do this comes just at the right time!
Thank you Sue; for sharing this story and your contribution to children who have such challenges. My sister was involved in such programs and activities when she was young, with good physical results. In 2005 is asked me to help her find a place to ride and we found The Horsemanship School of Woodinville, WA.; they made a place for her (even though she was almost 50 years old) and in 2008 she bought her horse. She felt like one of the other people when she rode and talked about her horse and their adventures to everyone she met.
One of the few really happy parts of her life.
That’s fantastic that she’s been able to get her own horse.
They really are such special creatures, and can help people achieve such amazing results, physically, emotionally & socially
My sister does not know how special, careful and willing her horse was. Fleke gave all the credit to the rider.
Where did you turn to for the volunteer training in working with the students and horses and how do people find out about your programs
Hi Blou,
Volunteer training is done at the center under the umbrella of Riding for the Disabled Association (NSW). There are a number of centers throughout the state, you can google the website. We do not, and are not qualified to teach Parelli, but a lot of the principles can still be applied. Not all centers have a natural “flavour” it depends on the background of the coach in charge.
Hope that answers your question.