Inspiration Stables

The primary service provided at Inspiration Stables is adaptive horseback riding sessions. During their sessions, participants learn horsemanship skills which help them to develop a relationship with the horses and also with other adults they can trust. Our children gain confidence that transfers outside of the arena to every aspect of their daily lives. Communication skills are incredibly impacted as the participants make connections between their commands and cues and the horses' response. It was inspiring to witness Lauren speaking for the first time! She learned that by saying "walk on" her horse would go. She made the connection between a verbal command and action. It brought tears to everyone who witnessed her speak.

Adaptive riding has an amazing ability to reduce undesirable behaviors by allowing the participant to find calm in the saddle through their connection to their horse as well as the rhythmic motion the horse's gait provides. Our first week of sessions, we had a young boy with autism come for his first horse experience ever. He is highly sensory, and the flies were making him very agitated. He wasn't sure about being on the horse at first and was very nervous. After about ten minutes of walking on his horse, Myles took a deep breath, let out a sigh, and smiled. He found a happy place. When he came back the next week for his second lesson, I asked his mom how his week was, and she shared his incredible story: "Myles has 10 minutes of social skills class every day at school where he is supposed to talk conversationally and maintain eye contact. This is usually like pulling teeth. This week I got an email from his teacher telling me that he had openly shared about his horse, Julio. She asked if I could send some pictures of Myles and Julio. I did. His teacher helped him put together a short presentation about his riding experience to share with his social skills class. Myles did so well that he was able to present for his entire first grade class. He's never done that before and usually struggles to connect with his classmates as he has very little in common with them. I can't thank you enough." During his third week of sessions, it was very cold and windy, so we were all unsure of how Myles would do. He jumped right up on Julio and gave him a hug! He was completely unaffected by sensory interruptions.

The impact on the children we serve goes far beyond what they experience in our arena. Our participants get to not only ride a horse, but play games, practice gross and fine motor skills, communicate effectively for a team goal all while on horseback building a solid trust in their equine partner. Most importantly, we provide a place for all people whether volunteering, participating, or spectating to belong and be accepted regardless of ability.

Testimonials

Over the last few years since Hannah's Autism diagnosis I have struggled with the idea of the puzzle piece representing Autism. I would often question what it was supposed to mean? That our girl is missing a piece? That her pieces aren't fitting together? That something isn't just how it should be? To us Hannah is perfect just the way she is. Autism is just a unique piece of her personality not a piece that is broken. Recently I had a breakthrough as I pondered over how far Hannah has come. Fourteen months ago, she didn't make eye contact. A year ago, she was completely nonverbal. Six months ago, she didn't acknowledge peers and before she started riding lessons in September she didn't notice our family dog. The puzzle pieces aren't about who Hannah is or isn't. She is just exactly who she is, a loving, singing, snugly, hilarious, ornery, stealthy, and whip smart beautiful young girl. The puzzle pieces are the programs that have given her the voice both literally and figuratively to share those parts of herself with us. For that we are incredibly blessed.

This Summer I looked into different options to help Hannah continue to grow. She needed to build core strength, fine motor skills, self-confidence and an understanding of personal space. We couldn't possibly fit in another therapy through the weekdays and she was already doing occupational therapy in school. She deserved a chance to connect with someone other than a teacher or parent. She needed to build a trusting bond while having the opportunity to lead. When Inspiration Stables was suggested I thought this might be the outside the box therapy she needed to tie all these things together. The moment she put that helmet on I knew she was in her element. Her smile said it all.

Every week she sat taller in the saddle. She started using her commands "walk on" and "whoa" in class. I cried with overwhelming pride and she giggled with each trot. A few weeks into lessons Hannah started petting our dog. She would give him nice long strokes and say, "good dog"...