Category: Take Flight Session Notes

More small miracles again, we had three new clients and 4 of us volunteers. The beginning circle is improving with a little more participation and creativity.

This week we worked with: Riley to ride; Pawnee to groom and hand-walk; DD to groom; Hugo to hand-walk; QT to groom and walk; and Bob for grooming and a short walk.

The group photo at the end includes Paddington too. The horses appreciate the attention, I can see (and feel) them act calm and present with the kids.

Horse grooming is a gentle activity giving the kids a chance to nurture and help care for the horse. The horses stand so still accepting the love gratefully. It offers a good way for students to connect with such a large animal, a good starting place for anxious participants.

Riley was host to Amy first. She’s a small 6 year old and she found courage and balance riding on Riley.

Later she was industrious, helping to scoop poop with Siem.

The other two kids, Walter and Missy, were surprised to know each other from school. They chatted easily and felt relaxed right away. Walter admitted to talking more when he’s nervous, but the format is mostly one-on-one so that’s fine. Everyone did ride Riley this week.

They each got to take a short trail ride around the property. After the ride Riley got a rinse because it was heating up already. This group did great and Walter’s mom talked to us after the program about him continuing on with Pegasus.

All names changed for anonymity.

Then we had Terri, our confident 7 year old girl with long braids. She rode QT first and was a star, feeling right at home steering and guiding a big horse around by herself. She was clear, ‘I want to do it by myself.’  Her exuberant yet focused energy was nice to be around, everyone liked her. The 3rd client was 11 year old Maggie. Her mom told me that she has high anxiety and she seemed shy, starting off with her hood up but participating and staying connected. We started her at the grooming station and she got Pawnee. He stood so very still, soaking up the love from the two young girls who cared for him with gentle kindness. His being so calm helped give Maggie some confidence.  Then she moved to the next station, and rode QT. She removed her hood and kept opening up and loved the horses. Her smile was authentic and her body relaxed with the animals.

These horses respond to the energy of the program. If you listen closely, you can hear the horses respond and support the kids, subtle and steady.

I can see the effectiveness of the junior volunteers connecting to the clients. I create a safe container then let their peers teach the horse activities.

Names are changed for confidentiality 

Total success, first time at a new location, first time with a new organization, Side by Side, and I was flying solo with only junior volunteers to help. A nice change for me was that I did not provide any transportation for clients. It makes a HUGE difference. All clients arrived on time, completed some extra paperwork (without complaint) and parents left without a backward glance. One mom, however, asked if she could stay with her daughter due to anxiety.

I took one look at Mary and said sure, she had tears starting. Her mom turned out to be a nice asset to the program and supported her daughter in a quiet manner, drifting away when she was no longer needed. That was the first miracle. Mary started out in tears and finished strong, riding the horse with a proud, shy smile.

Next miracle was when Jess climbed out of the car, a young black boy and he got to pair up right away with Siem, my awesome African volunteer. They got to hang out and it was obvious Jess felt way more comfortable because Siem was there. Siem told me later, Jess kept saying, I’m not gonna walk the horse, then he walked the horse, and I’m not gonna groom the horse, then we see him helping Kamio pick out DD’s feet, then Jess tells me, I’m not gonna ride a horse, and there he is a few minutes later riding around on QT and loving it. His miracle.

And finally there was Donna who got to be my role model and brave girl to ride QT first. She gained confidence & kinda glowed with that as she went through the other 2 stations. Nice to witness her success. I liked that we were able to incorporate many horses, QT to ride, DD, Bob & Pawnee to groom, and Reilly and Hugo to hand walk in the pasture.

Both junior volunteers did great Kamio, her first time really liked it and did well helping me with horse chores. Siem has done this before with me but at a different barn and a few years ago. Hopefully he will wear long pants and boots next time.

After we finished, Kaylee came to see her horse and brought her puppy.

Note: names changes for confidentiality