Haymarket riding center helping children gain success

Since the beginning of human history, people have loved horses. Now, research shows horses feel the same way about kids with disabilities, and the children succeeding in Rainbow Riding Center's programs prove it.

The center offers accredited 4-H programs in therapeutic riding and hippotherapy -- literally, physical therapy while riding. Right now, 57 volunteers serve 32 riders with physical, social, psychological and emotional disabilities. And the gentle horses, donating hours via their owners, clearly enjoy the interaction.

Olivia Duquette is one child the horses have helped. At six, Olivia, who has autism, made little eye contact and barely interacted with the world. But her mother, Margaret Duquette, reported that after her first ride, Olivia threw her arms around Rainbow's executive director, Debbie Alexander. Prior to that, Olivia never would have made that kind of physical contact.

Olivia, now 8, speaks more, can ride more independently and has even ridden bareback. On the day of the interview, Olivia's mother said of her daughter, "She won't look you in the eye." But, "her body language is completely different on a horse."

Alexander explained that riding horses is not only physically therapeutic for children with disabilities, it is psycho-logically empowering. Riding has not only given Olivia confidence, it has given her something to talk with other children about. She is proud of her experiences and can exchange stories about horses, all of which has helped her develop social and communication skills.

Alexander described the amazing and almost inexplicable behavior of the horses with disabled children, particularly with autistic children. Rainbow's horses kneel down to let the children pet or mount them. The horses make direct eye contact, something they will not do with most adults.

Riding helps the physically disabled develop balance and upper body core strength, Alexander said. Horses provide riders with impaired mobility movement similar to a walking gait; they ride gently and move rhythmically. For children with ADHD, riding means learning to listen, following instructions, focusing and remaining calm.

There are other practical rewards as well. Olivia's mother said prior to entering the program, Olivia had no understanding of time. Every day was the same day to Olivia, "like that movie 'Groundhog Day,'" Margaret said. Then, Olivia started riding her first Rainbow horse, Amigo. She was making good progress.

But in winter, because the facility is outside, lessons are not offered. That winter, Olivia began to take interest in the calendar, counting the months until spring when lessons would begin again. "Spring is April … April is Amigo!" Olivia said one day, arguing with her brother about when spring officially began.

Like other children in the program, Olivia eagerly awaits her lesson which Margaret called "the highlight of Olivia's week." But even in summer, fall and spring, inclement weather can hinder scheduled lessons. Margaret explained how difficult missing a lesson is for Olivia because children with autism need consistency. Three weeks of rain this past June were particularly trying.

Right now, the Rainbow Center rents space at a private farm. However, a new center will open at Silver Lake once construction is completed and the lake premises are made accessible to the public. Alexander, the volunteers, students and their families eagerly await the new facility which Alexander hopes eventu-ally will have an indoor ring, eliminating dependence on good weather.

The day Olivia interviewed, the June rain had finally stopped.

"What's different about today?" Olivia's mother asked her.

"The sun is popping out!" Olivia declared, smiling.