H e a l i n g H o r s e s Special Equestrians welcomes all riders to saddle up By Selah Vetter
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s the sun begins to set over Pelham, Alabama, two riders play red light, green light on their horses in an open field at the farm.
“Back up, back up,” instructor Madison Pozzo yells. And the two riders guide their horses to take a few steps back because it is a yellow light, which allows the riders to practice leading their horses backwards. Finally, it’s a green light again, allowing the riders to lead their horses forward, and one rider crosses the finish line. Victorious shouts fill the air as the winner is declared. These two young riders are more skilled on top of a horse than most average people, but they are no average riders. Special Equestrians welcomes young riders with physical to cognitive or emotional disabilities and illnesses to saddle up and find therapy on top of a horse. It may be an unusual way to approach therapy for these riders, but the instructors have plenty of stories about just how freeing riding a horse can be for someone who is accustomed to boundaries in their lives. 32 | The Local
