Small Town News

Hidden miracles at Willow Creek Ranch

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It is in the midst of summer weather and the shade of an elder oak tree that I realize the many hidden miracles at Willow Creek Ranch. I am not talking about the serene beauty of the land or the dust being kicked up by three special horses: Jack, Chief and Cash. The miracle is what is happening between the horses, their challenged riders and our dedicated staff. Welcome to the incredible world of therapeutic horseback riding!

For an hour each day therapy is in session, we ask the horses to walk around the arena, go over obstacles and create small miracles. Riders sit on a saddle pad and have a secure handle to hang onto. This allows both the horse and rider to feel each other's movement. We ask the riders to twist, turn and move their bodies through a wide range of movements. We have them ride sitting forward, sideways and even backwards. Sometimes we have the horses slowly trot to challenge the riders. It is extremely challenging but Nicole's laughter fills the air as she bounces up and down on Jack.

It is the bouncing, twisting and turning that creates the small miracles of sitting upright, making eye contact and communicating. These are everyday tasks that so many of us take for granted.

Deb is proud of her daughter and wrote, "I am so excited about Nicole's participation in this program. She really seems to enjoy it. Thanks for letting her participate and thank you for your commitment to helping our child".

Angelina is able to ride Chief during our session and is making a lot of progress. She stated, "It makes my brain calm down". Angelina's mother, Jackie, said that the therapeutic horseback riding is helping Angelina with her confidence as well as her ability to control the way her brain and body reacts. Jackie stated, "I know she realizes that she has to remain calm when she gets Chief ready to ride. The more she realizes that she can control her brain and her body, she will begin to do it automatically".

At the end of every session we ask the riders what their favorite part was. Yesterday, Dylan said his favorite part was when the sour cherry gum squirted in his mouth. This is especially impressive for Dylan since he wouldn't even chew the gum last week. Dylan is a true rider as he wears his cowboy hat and is able to ride sitting backwards with his eyes closed.

There is also something special about bonding with a horse that you cannot communicate but have to experience.

There are riding spots still available for our fall session. Volunteer leaders and side walkers are needed to make this special program possible for the children. For more information about the therapeutic horseback riding program or other provided services, please go to <www.childrenstherapyworks.net>.



Copyright 2009 Tri-County News, Kimball, Minnesota. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

© 2009 Tri-County News Kimball, Minnesota. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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