Endorsements of Therapeutic Riding Sue Miller
I
Miranda LeBrun
thought I’d share some reference for how much therapeutic riding helps its participants. Below are stories written by parents, participants, and family of how our riders have participated and triumphed with the help of horses. I want readers to know that not all of High Horses clients are only capable of riding at a therapy program. Many of our students move onto riding in outside programs and enjoy the sport of horses away from the world of equine therapy. Just a few years ago I was riding my horse in a dressage class at a recognized show when I recognized one of my former therapy students in the warmup ring. We ended up riding the same dressage test! The first story was in response to an article I submitted a year ago as our rider moved and has flourished since her time at High Horses.
14 4 Legs & a Tail
Miranda started riding at High Horses and rode until June of 2018, as a therapy for anxiety, she was only 10 years old. Miranda then moved to Castleton Vt, with her mother, where she started riding and taking lessons at Horse Amour in Castleton Vt. Her passion for horses grew There her lessons focused on command equitation, dressage, and some jumping. She took to these lessons and never looked back! In the Spring of 2019, she got involved with 4H. Miranda rode in her first horse show, the 2019 Addison County Fair, Miranda was the only rider that DIDN’T own her own horse, she had to rent one. There she won several ribbons for equitation and jumping for her age level. Miranda also competed in the 2019 Rutland State Fair with 4H, she placed with ribbons in 14 out of 15 events, including 5 First place ribbons and being voted reserve champion for her level. The Fall of 2019 brought a new challenge for Miranda, being selected for IEA (Interscholastic Equestrian Association) Zone 1, and the Hunt Seat team which travels to show throughout New England and New York. Riding at the Middle School level, 6th through 8th graders and ranging from 12-16 competitors at each show. Miranda placed with ribbons in 5 of 6 events, which included cross rail jumping and equitation flats Her last show in Connecticut she even won 2nd place in her jumping event. Miranda continues to ride and take lessons at Horse Amour in Castleton VT and has 2 IEA shows left to compete in this winter. - Shared by David LeBrun Next are the words of a current participant and her family: I am a 72-year-old female Vietnam veteran, army nurse corps, with several serious health issues. I was a former enthusiastic horseback rider and owner of horses for 37 years. I enjoyed every bit of it, except for knocking ice out of the water buckets on cold winter mornings before we all went to work. About 10 or 15 years ago I stopped riding because of bilateral hip issues. After 2 total hip replacements, a shoulder rotator cuff repair, a diagnosis of Addison’s disease, back surgery with residual weakness in my right leg and a pulmonary embolism, I decided that my riding career was long over. I never thought riding ever again was in the cards for me. A few months ago, I decided that maybe I could try to ride again but only as a source of physical therapy and with a lot of much needed close supervision. That is when I was introduced to Molly, my instructor, and Mac, the most understanding and well-trained horse I have ever been on. Because of their efforts and kindness, I have made a lot of, take that back, a ton of physical and emotional progress. Next week I am going to surprise Molly and ask her if I can try to mount Mac using Spring 2020