Therapy Horses for Adults and Children with ASD, ADHD, SAD, Depression, Anxiety... — Scope | Disability forum
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Therapy Horses for Adults and Children with ASD, ADHD, SAD, Depression, Anxiety...

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Bettahm
Bettahm Community member Posts: 1,439 Disability Gamechanger
in Coffee lounge

My second visit. First a bit about the horses. Jake is not a Welsh Cob as I posted last week, hes a Gypsy Cob or Irish Cob. Tammy, the 900kg one, is a Normandy Cob. Both the ponies are Dartmoor ponies. Bree is Mike's wifes dressage horse, and Magnolia is horse-in-waiting for that role. Shes only 9 months old. The ponies, Tammy and Charlie are all rescues. Charlie had been ill treated. Jake and Ebony are rehomed rather than rescues.  When they first got Charlie he was frightened of brooms. I was stroking him today and leaned against the fence. It creaked, and he bolted up the field. The noise frightened him. He came back to me though. That's him in the photo above, and here's another of him below.

Nosey!!
When the land dries out in the spring/summer we will be working the horses outdoors. Having a horse walk ahead of you, guiding her on two long reins. A bit like carriage riding without the carriage! Another is having the horse on a single long rein, and getting her to circle you. Both sound like fun, but will require a lot of concentration.
I was hoping to be leading one of the ponies today. Here they are, Pepsi and Toffee.

The Dartmoor Ponies.
Started off today grooming my old friend Jake. Then I got to lead Bree, the dressage horse! They got her into the barn and we did a couple of circuits or three, then I took her back out and led her back into her field. Brilliant! Apparently Bree is very gentle and well behaved, and they let even the smallest children lead her. Next week Bree and I are going to do the obstacle course together. I'm sure she'll get me round safely.

Bree and me (that's me on the right)
Isn't she gorgeous?! (The horse)
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  • Chloe_Scope
    Chloe_Scope Posts: 10,586 Disability Gamechanger
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    It looks like you've had an incredible time @Franstrahan! So glad you are enjoying it and thank you for the photos. :)
    Scope

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  • Bettahm
    Bettahm Community member Posts: 1,439 Disability Gamechanger
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    @Chloe_Scope
    I must find out from them if there are places like this all around the UK. I know you know of one. This one is fully funded so all the sessions and visits are free. Be nice to think there were more out there just like it.
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  • Chloe_Scope
    Chloe_Scope Posts: 10,586 Disability Gamechanger
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    I hope there are @Franstrahan! 
    Scope

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  • Bettahm
    Bettahm Community member Posts: 1,439 Disability Gamechanger
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    @Chloe_Scope
    I will ask them about this on Thursday. I think they are quite happy to have people come there on a day trip, but it would be nice to think there are fully funded centres nationwide so people can go regularly.  
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  • 66Mustang
    66Mustang Community member Posts: 13,618 Disability Gamechanger
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    Just seen you are on the front page of the forum. Well done. :)
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  • KellyCornwall
    KellyCornwall Community member Posts: 12 Connected
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    I know of a place like this called the Hugs Foundation in Cornwall but would be lovely to find if there are more located around the UK. 
    I have grown up around horses and owned them since I could walk pretty much but when we mvoed to The Netherlands for three years I left my horse in the capable hands of my friend. When we moved back she was so smitten with him and he was so settled I could not take him back even though I had a bond with him I did not move back home to my home town so I do miss that daily interaction of just being around them and my aim is when we move in a few months again to start looking around our new area for therapy horses.

    Love the gypsy cob by the way, my boy Dexter is an Irish Cob. 
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  • Chloe_Scope
    Chloe_Scope Posts: 10,586 Disability Gamechanger
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    Hi @Franstrahan, how are you getting on with this? :)
    Scope

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