The BEST Day
By Cindy Prindle
Rising Son Youth Ranch, St Joseph, MO
We love to see the bright, excited eyes of each student as they sit on a horse for the first time, or finally accomplish that first solo ride and become independent riders. It’s the thrill of a life time to see a child’s dream come true, or catch a glimpse of what independence means to them.
Let me tell you about Luca, a special needs child who rode at camp last summer and has been begging to ride a horse ever since. Luca is 6, and has the brightest smile you’ve ever seen and enough enthusiasm to make the sun shine brighter. When he arrived for his first ride, he was almost bursting with excitement. His Mom, placed him in his motorized chair, and we led Foxy Lady out to him. First on the agenda, was to feel her soft muzzle, and look into her big brown eyes full of love. It was love at first sight for them both. Foxy stood very still while Luca brought his chair as close as possible to her, and then raised it up so he could be at her level. She showed no fear of this new contraption approaching her; she just turned her head to see what Luca was doing. He decided he didn’t want to just ride, he wants to learn all he can about horses, so, after letting Foxy sniff him and get to know him, he let us put a small curry comb on his hand and, using all his strength, he pushed his arm up from the shoulder and brushed her, one stroke at a time, slowly, and with great effort; but with MORE joy. When he’d had enough grooming, we put the bareback pad on Foxy and a helmet on Luca and went down to the riding ring. His Mom picked him up and placed him on Foxy, who, by the way, was as calm and sweet as ever! With a volunteer on either side to help him with balance, Luca had his first ride at our ranch, and if possible, his smile got even BIGGER! He could hardly contain his excitement when he burst out with, “This is the BEST day of my life!!” Then he laid his head on Foxy’s neck and told her he loved her.
Luca has come for several rides since that first visit, and each time, he’s full of joy and enthusiasm. He has developed very good balance and body strength, and his Mom tells us that his bodily functions are so much better since he started riding that he no longer dreads the daily necessities. There are so many good side effects for special needs children who take riding therapy. Physically, they have increased muscle tone, circulation, and bowel health. Emotionally, they develop self esteem, learn unconditional love and the care and responsibility for God’s creatures.
When Luca rides, we play games and draw figure 8’s in the sand with Foxy’s feet. Sometimes we sing, or he tells us about his day. Some days, he’s tired and a little short tempered from his physical therapy, or some extra activity, but he doesn’t want to miss his ride. This is an important part of his week; a joy to cherish and anticipate. Foxy Lady gives him movement and independence that even his chair doesn’t give him. It’s the best day of the week.
Luca’s new goal is to ride all by himself. His Mom is not so sure about that, and though we don’t know how to make it possible, we are working on it, because Luca deserves to have his dreams come true!
