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Riding Instructor |
- Photo by Linda Donnelly
"There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man."
- Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965)
Therapeutic horseback riding is a extraordinary world that displays the synergy of disabled children and adults, caring volunteers, and professionals in the medical, psychological and educational fields. The training and exercises touches every individual involved, improves their quality of life, and provides fulfillment for everyone horse and human.
It is not known when horseback riding for the disabled became a therapeutic specialized field, however, the ancient Greeks are the first civilization recorded in history regarding people with disabilities riding horses as a way of improving the well-being and health of people with handicaps.
Wednesday afternoons beginning at 1:00 PM you will find Beth Singzon and Cornerstone Equestrian Center's faithful volunteers grooming and tacking up horses in preparation for the afternoons full schedule of lessons. Volunteers are very important to the daily operation of Cornerstone Equestrian Center. They assist the students and instructors during riding lessons, help out with fund raising events, acquire new skills, meet new people and contribute to their community.
Beth has several students participating in the Riding Therapy program at Cornerstone Equestrian Center located in American Canyon, CA. Her credentials include a British Horse Society Horsemaster's Certificate.
The lesson profiled of Jarred and his Mother. The lesson horse employed this afternoon is Hank, a retired dressage competitor. Hank is a large horse, with kind eyes, strong enough to easily carry both Jarred and his Mother. A specially designed ramp is used to help Jarred mount. Jarred Mother back rides behind Jarred during the lesson in order to give him support. There are two volunteers or side walkers, one positioned on either side of the rider. The volunteers walk beside the horse during the lesson to ensure that the rider maintains their balance and as a safety precaution.
The instructor may lead the lesson horse and give instruction or stand in the center of the schooling arena, if a third volunteer is available to lead the horse. This lesson is performed at a nice steady walk incorporating the use of serpentines, change of directions down the diagonal or center of the arena and large circles. Hank never takes a false step. Steady as a rock and concentrating on his work. It seems as if Hank understands how important his job is and to demonstrate his very best behavior. The hour passes very quickly and ends with a leisurely stroll around the outside stable grounds in the sunshine.
A happy boy and his mother drive out of the stable yard gate. Next Wednesday they will return
for another lesson. Hank is un-tacked and receives a well deserved rub down and is returned to
his paddock. The volunteers quench their thirst with a soda and chat in the shade before the
next lesson begins. Beth tacks-up a smaller horse and begins warm up exercises in preparation
for her next student.
At the end of the day these dedicated people go home, knowing they have accomplished something
truly wonderful, made a difference in their community and with a smile in their heart.
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Cornerstone Equestrian Center is a non-profit therapeutic horseback riding center established in 1985 by a physically challenged woman named Tarri Tanaka. Cornerstone provides horseback riding therapy for mentally, physically, and emotionally challenged individuals of all ages. The instructors and Cornerstone Equestrian Center are accredited by the North American riding for the Handicapped Association. To learn more about this wonderful program, how to volunteer, or make a tax deductible donation; contact Cornerstone Equestrian Center by telephone (707) 643-2223 or write to them at the follow address:
PMB 145 Plaza Drive,
Suite 207-400 Vallejo, CA 94591-3703
© 2000 HorseQuest.com Deborah
Anderson All rights reserved. Write for permission to reprint.
deborah@horsequest.com
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