Horse-riding opportunity offers therapeutic benefits
With care and kindness, Saddles of Success has been making a difference in people’s lives for 18 years. “It gives them interaction with other kids. They’re part of something. They’re not different from other kids,’ said Haley Martin of Dunbar, a parent and volunteer whose 9-year-old son Jonathan is part of the program.
Jonathan, who has cerebral palsy, has been riding horses for six or seven years, thanks to Karen Hull, the riding instructor who operates Saddles of Success with her husband, Joe, at their farm in Bitner, Franklin Township.
A fourth-grade student at Dunbar Borough Elementary School, Jonathan is shy about the reasons he enjoys Saddles of Success. But, basically, he loves riding, he loves horses and he loves the friends he’s made.
“We work on hand-eye coordination, balance and being independent,’ said Hull. “But a lot of it is the socialization. When you ride, you’re like everybody else.’
Saddles of Success grew out of a similar therapeutic riding program called Hoofbeats, that’s now defunct. Hull was asked to volunteer by organizer Sally Malenock.
“Sally and I rode horses together. She called me one day and I thought I was going to brush and groom horses. I had no idea of what I was getting involved with,’ said Hull.
She learned a lot.
“I rode horses before this but I never realized they were good for anything other than my own entertainment,’ said Hull. “The friendships that have come about from this are some of the greatest.’
She talks about her own children, daughters Erica, 18, and Elyse, 16, and son Brian, 16, who have made many friendships through the program.
“It’s not just for the kids with disabilities. We make it a family thing,’ said Hull. “Jonathan’s little sister Harley rides. She’s six.’
Harley Martin smiled and acknowledged she loves riding and enjoys Saddles of Success because, as Hull put it, “she likes hanging out with the big girls.’
Saddles of Success currently has about 30 members. The youngest is 2. The oldest is 62 and participates in Special Olympics. Some members belong to the 4-H club Against All Odds. But since 4-H members have to be a certain age, Hull operates Saddles of Success to include everyone.
“Anyone who wants to be able to ride should ride,’ she said.
The members have a variety of special needs.
“You can have ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder). We have a little girl with an anxiety disorder. I have members with Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, and autism. We have someone with Tourette’s syndrome,’ said Hull. “It’s a mixture of ages and a mixture of boys and girls.’
Although she works with a variety of needs, Hull said she doesn’t find it difficult and credits best friend Amy Keffer with help as well as others.
“I have eight absolutely perfect volunteers,’ she said.
When joining, members sit down for an initial interview. They must have their doctor sign a medical form. The parents then talk about their own expectations.
Haley Martin noted how her son didn’t enjoy therapy sessions when he was younger but always enjoyed riding and never realized this was also therapy.
“We get kids with cerebral palsy to ride up and down hills. We’re working their large muscles,’ said Hull. “But it’s a game. They think they’re on a trail ride.’
The club operates year-round when the weather is good.
“Over Thanksgiving, if we have nice days, everybody will call and ask ‘Can we ride?’ Same thing with Christmas,’ said Hull. “They have appointment times. If the weather is bad, they call. If it’s a rough winter, we start up again no later than March. I have a lot riding twice a week now. It’s the beginning of October and I just got two new riders. Saturday it was pouring down rain and we rode in the indoor arena because they wanted to ride. So we ride.’
Once involved, members tend to stick with the program.
“I have a couple of riders – I tell them they’ve been here longer than I am,’ said Hull.
That includes a woman who is Hull’s same age: “I tell her we’re going to retire together.’
And there are many success stories.
“They all get to show. They win ribbons like everyone else,’ said Hull. “There are four 4-H competitions in a year. We had two kids with cerebral palsy show production horses at the Fayette County Fair for the first time and the judge was absolutely wonderful. Jonathan showed at the fair. He made it to district and now he’s going to Harrisburg at the end of October.’
Jonathan Martin beams. The program has clearly made an impact on him.
But money is needed to operate Saddles of Success. Hull has 36 horses that must be fed, shoed and taken to the veterinarian.
To help fund this, Saddles of Success will hold a cash bash at 6 p.m. Saturday at All Saints Social Hall in Masontown. Free food and beverages are included.
Hull also noted that many students help Saddles of Success for their senior project but she is always in need of more volunteers.
Like Hull, people who support Saddles of Success have a passion for the program.
“I love everything about it,’ said Hull. “I love the kids. I love the people.’
For ticket information for the cash bash or to volunteer for Saddles of Success, call 724-438-0909 or 724-564-1088.