Not Just Horsing Around

By Susanne Pettit-Crossman

All of CARD’s horses will have bells on next year in celebration of the riding school’s 30th anniversary.

The Community Association for Riding for the Disabled (CARD) opened in 1969 with a few riders, a couple of horses and borrowed facilities. Since then it has grown to become recognized as a world leader in therapeutic riding.

Now permanently located northwest of Toronto in G. Ross Lord Park with 19 horses, CARD offers programs in hippotherapy, therapeutic and sports riding, and (cart) driving to over 400 individuals of all ages with disabilities.

Programs include people who have disabilities like cerebral palsy, spina bifida, multiple sclerosis, stroke, blindness, acquired brain injury and developmental disabilities. Classes range from one-on-one therapy to advanced sports classes. CARD’s accommodations include unique mechanical adaptations such as its hydraulic mounting block, which enables riders with disabilities to mount their horses more easily.

Under the supervision of specially trained physiotherapists and skilled equestrian staff (11 permanent staff), and with the help of over 200 dedicated volunteers, people with disabilities gain an introduction to a sport that offers lifelong benefits. Riders experience greater physical, cognitive, psychological and social skills, improved quality of life, and the sheer joy of horseback riding.

Maria Simpson came to CARD as a youth with cerebral palsy. Not only did she require physical accommodations, but she was dealing with a lot of anxiety and lacked the confidence and self-esteem to integrate and socialize herself effectively in an "able-bodied" community.

Ten years later, at age 27, Maria is the receptionist and coordinator at CARD. Recently married with a new baby, Maria’s riding skills have progressed to the level where she is now a competitive rider in the Paralympics.

Maria glows when she talks about her love for the sport and for CARD. "Riding at CARD has given me a lot more courage and has forced me to socialize, particularly at the competitive level where you are representing your country."

Indeed, many children who came to CARD have now grown up and ride as adults or young adults at the centre. Unlike other children, those with disabilities often cannot take advantage of the more traditional childhood activities, such as those offered by group organizations; activities like baseball, basketball, water sports or camping are not always viable options.

Therapeutic riding brings a new dimension to the lives of these kids. This form of recreation improves their skills without the stigma attached to most "therapy" programs. In addition, everyone who participates at CARD receives unconditional acceptance -- and that goes for the horses and the people.

Donna O’Brien speaks with amazement of the changes in her son, Tyler, who waited three years to get into the program at CARD. Now 14, Tyler has been riding for 8 years. He, too, has cerebral palsy, causing right-side hemiplegia.

"Tyler had tremendous difficulty in school," Donna says. "He wouldn’t communicate and his posture was hunched over. He never wanted to participate in anything and would rely on others to do things for him.

"I’ve seen a big difference in his posture, and he has been forced to use his other side with the adapted equipment. His muscle strength has improved, and on a social level he just loves it."

Donna claims that, "actually, Tyler has become a little cocky," but he "feels really good about himself."

Michele Green, one of the executive directors at CARD and a rider who herself has a disability, says: "You cannot underestimate the social interaction that goes on. We conducted a consumer survey and the social benefit of therapeutic riding was right up there with the physical benefit. There is no pressure to fit in, and we try to accentuate the positive aspects and the abilities the individual has."

The key to any therapeutic riding program is to allow each individual to take small steps and develop a program for himself or herself, with achievable physical and emotional goals.

The physical benefits of equestrian therapy are the result of the rider’s response to the horse’s movements. This passive form of riding is what is referred to as hippotherapy. As the horse is walking, the motion imparted to the rider is similar to normal human walking. The swinging, repetitive motion improves balance, coordination, strength and muscle tone while gently mobilizing the joints. A horse works your whole body, making it respond in a natural and fully complemented way.

New riders begin with a walker and a leader to guide their horse. Eventually the rider is left with just a leader as he or she develops balance, coordination and motor skills. Once the fourth level of riding has been achieved and both the spine and stomach muscles are strengthened, the rider is eligible for competition.

Cognitive disabilities are addressed through instruction in stable management and progressive riding skills. And, in learning how to ride, a person with a disability learns how to meet and overcome challenges -- instilling confidence, self-esteem and independence.

Other opportunities include recreation, outdoor activity, a sense of excitement and the interaction between people and animals which includes caring for and taking responsibility for the horses.

Children with disabilities often tire of being prodded and pulled in traditional therapy. Therapeutic riding allows them to forget about themselves. They have fun and bond with not only peers and instructors but the horses too. Even the care and grooming of the animals switches the focus for these children. They shift from always needing to "be taken care of," to taking care of another living creature.

And when it comes to overall family dynamics, it is all for the positive. CARD has brought Donna O’Brien a lot closer to her son: "Tyler and I do a lot together now." She feels CARD has "helped her get involved, rather than feel sorry" for herself and Tyler.

"Now I don’t hide Tyler’s disability. The more that people are aware, the more it makes a difference with Tyler’s peers. It’s forced me to open up. Even my daughter did a speech on Tyler’s disability, and is planning to do one about CARD."

It seems to be a "hooves-down" vote -- unanimously, everyone acknowledges the family environment that exists at CARD. All share a common love for the animals and agree that the people are wonderful. As Donna says, "When I come home from CARD, I feel like I’ve been to church -- really uplifted. You really get so much more back than you give there."

Recently, CARD introduced an integrated program. Now riders with disabilities and horse parents (volunteers who exercise and train the horses) are riding together in the classes. Particularly when it comes to the psychological/social benefits, this program is proving excellent.

Executive Director Michele Green comments that "the whole organization is moving toward integration, or at least parallel events so that we can close the gap."

Michele knows only too well what a struggle integration can be. She herself is blind and joined CARD five years ago. Now 42 years of age, Michele has been able to cope with an anxiety disorder and agoraphobia through her riding, to a point where, with "reasonable accommodation," she has successfully competed in integrated mainstream dressage events.

She feels that "every person should have all opportunities open to them so that, whatever level you are riding at, you have choices." The integrated riding program at CARD does just that.

Riders are expected to discover what accommodations they require and what they must ask for to meet their needs. Riders teach one another how to do this, while taking care of the horses, learning to teach and work with one another, and sharing the whole riding experience.

Sandy Webster Stolte is the equestrian director at CARD as well as a certified therapeutic riding instructor and examiner. She says, "By developing this knowledge and the cognitive skills that go with it, our riders should be able to mount by themselves and decrease the dependence on the instructors."

The role of the instructor is not to hold the person on the horse but rather to offer support when the rider needs it. People with disabilities are often discouraged in society because they are not permitted to take risks. Not so with this program. You are encouraged to take risks, all the while learning to ride safely and correctly.

By propelling total integration, responsible risk-taking and independence for riders with disabilities, CARD gives participants the skills to ride at a regular facility. It also encourages the promotion of integrated riding events.

As Michele notes, "This will be a real eye-opener for the judges at the competitive level."

However, therapeutic riding programs are not necessarily suitable for all people with disabilities. An initial assessment by a physiotherapist and a questionnaire on such things as body weight and cognitive function will determine if therapeutic riding is appropriate. In most cases, the major factor in CARD’s acceptance of an applicant is whether or not the person in a riding situation would be dangerous to themselves, another individual or the horse.

Another problem is the waiting list -- it’s a minimum of two years and can be as long as three or four years. An extenuating circumstance is if a person has been assessed with an immediate need, as in some cases of acquired brain injury -- in which later will be too late for the applicant to reap many of the benefits.

Once accepted, participants are assessed on a regular basis for progression. Report cards are handed out at the end of each of three terms.

Following World War II, rehabilitation centres in Europe offered soldiers with war injuries a kind of informal hippotherapy, allowing them to ride horses assisted by nurses and local women.

Today there are well over 100 therapeutic riding centres across Canada, including CARD. All of these organizations fall under the umbrella of a national organization known as CanTRA (Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association), formed in 1980. (The North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) was founded in 1969 and provides over 525 NARHA riding centres for more than 26,000 individuals in the United States.)

The umbrella organization provides a national insurance policy, an instructor certification program and competitive equestrian opportunities locally, nationally and internationally. However, the strength of larger organizations lies in the network of local centres across the country like CARD.

Employing the human-animal bond through therapeutic riding programs is just one small step in developing a simple, as well as environmentally sound, approach to achieving physical and mental well-being.

(Susanne Pettit-Crossman is a broadcast journalist/freelance writer and member of the Human Animal Bond Association of Canada (HABAC). She lives in Burlington, Ontario.)


DID YOU KNOW?
Some Facts about the Horses

"A horse is a horse, of course..." or is it? When it comes to therapeutic riding horses, not just any horse will do.

Horses are the most important component to any riding program, and there are several characteristics which constitute a correct therapeutic riding horse:

- All horses must be extremely fit, with good, strong backs to accommodate uneven weight loads.

- They must possess: quiet, spook-proof temperaments; smooth gaits and good manners; pleasant personalities and physical soundness.

- Horses cannot be too young and inexperienced, nor too old, lacking agility.

- And, understanding basic voice commands is a big plus -- although talking back is not required (too bad, Mr Ed)!

At a riding centre, hopeful horses are put through a series of tests and must pass a probationary period before being accepted into the program.

Therapeutic riding horses are special and work hard for the riders -- so lots of praise and a pat on the neck go a long way.

Riding facilities are always looking for good horses to be donated. There are never enough. You can also sponsor a horse for $3,600 per year.

Horses themselves can develop specific skeletal and muscular problems from bearing uneven loads. They, like people, benefit from chiropractic services and massage therapy, and are closely monitored for any developing problems.

Finally, riding the horse is not the only responsibility the rider has. The full maintenance and care of the animal and the upkeep of the stables and facilities are a crucial component to the program.

The relationship with the horse and the teamwork atmosphere in a riding centre are two superb bonding tools. In order that the bond does not become too strong between one particular horse and rider, horses are changed periodically as a person progresses in the program.


RESOURCES

Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association (CanTRA)
P.O. Box 24009
550 Imperial N.
Guelph, ON N1E 6V8
Phone: (519) 767-0700

Community Association for Riding for the Disabled (CARD)
4777 Dufferin St.
North York, ON M3H 5T3
Phone: (416) 667-8600

North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA)
P.O. Box 33150
Denver, CO
80233 U.S.A.
Toll-free: 1-800-369-7433