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ACTHA Spotlights by Dutch Henry

Hoofbeats Therapeutic Riding Center Services Lexington, VA

Howdy Folks,

Blueberry is an Appaloosa. He'll be fourteen on his next birthday and for the past four years he's had a very special job. He is one of eight horses in the Hoofbeats barn who helps people smile. Blueberry and his stable mates work hard everyday to teach self confidence, emotional control, communication and problem solving skills to students young and old.

Hoofbeats was founded in 1993, by Trish Cunningham when she met Carol Branscome who at the time was working as a barn manager and, in addition to her regular duties, was conducting therapeutic riding classes. It had long been a dream of Trish's to build an organization to help folks with physical, emotional and mental disabilities. It had been Carol's dream, too. Like Blueberry, Trish and Carol understand that horses can tap into a certain spirit and change people's lives.

It has always been Carol's belief that this is her calling, and she has spent her entire life working with students and horses. She is supported by a magnificent group of volunteers, staff, students and horses whom she knows God sends to her. Maria Pennine, who came on board in 1997, is one of the special people who found Carol, and brought her unique talents as an instructor and animal care giver. Before her move to Hoofbeats Maria worked as an elephant trainer and has many innovative techniques to enrich the students riding and learning experiences. Tenney Mudge has been a vital part of Hoofbeats for 14 years. Carol told me that Tenney is one of the most intuitive and generous people she's ever met, "Somehow," Carol said, "Tenney always seems to know what a student or horse is thinking, or in need of, and she'll just make it happen." Blueberry is Tenney's horse.

It takes an exceptional horse to be a therapy horse, according to Carol only 1 in 12 will welcome the demands and rigorous schedules that make up the life of a therapy horse. "Therapy horses are hard working horses," Carol said, "and they need to have a big heart and giving attitude." Blueberry has both in abundance.

All their horses have special talents and are very in tune with the student's needs. The horses help make the plans for the students and sometimes the hardest part of their job is helping Carol understand what she needs to do for the student. Each horse has their own unique gifts. One mare, Ginger, specializes in students who suffer from depression.

When a student is first enrolled at Hoofbeats they are introduced to the horses with a quiet walk through the barn. Carol watches carefully as the horses pick their students. "It is absolutely amazing how horses will tell us which student is the one they can help the most. This is how we match them together. We trust what our horses tell us."

Blueberry has magic powers. He asks for kids with ADHD. "We call Blueberry our, Funk Filter." Carol said. "He can magically filter the disorganized energy in the student's head. He sucks it in through his body and it comes out cleaner every time and the student becomes calmer. Blueberry can actually settle the emotions of ADHD Kids and students suffering with Post Traumatic Stress Disorders."

After being founded at Trish's farm in Natural Bridge, VA, Carol's backyard served as a temporary home for Hoofbeats, then four years ago they moved to the Virginia Horse Center (VHC) at Lexington. The VHC is a world class facility that allows Hoofbeats to showcase the benefits of therapeutic riding to VA, and because people come to the Virginia Horse Center from all across the country, Blueberry and his friends have met folks from thirty of our fifty states! Hoofbeats, in conjunction with the VHC, hosts the Special Olympics Equestrian Games annually. This year for the first time the Virginia Military Institute included Equestrian Games in their Special Olympics and Hoofbeats and the VHC were honored to provide the venue.

Over the past seventeen years thousands of students have taken part in an ever increasing list of programs offered by Hoofbeats. In addition to therapeutic riding, students can sign on to learn dressage, enjoy trail riding and even compete in horse shows. Hoofbeats also has an educational program including an elementary school program for special education students, mounted drill teams, Girl Scout Merit badge, and even an internship program for aspiring therapeutic riding instructors. Currently there are 54 students enrolled, with more than a dozen on the waiting list. Hoofbeats is a Premier Accredited Center through North American Riding for the Handicapped Association and a member of the Therapeutic Riding Association of VA. To learn more about Hoofbeats and the wonderful work they do visit their website at www.hoof-beats.com .

It was a snow storm in January that brought Hoofbeats and ACTHA together. Forced indoors by thirty inches of snow, Tenney was watching the Rick Lamb show on RFD TV and it was there she discovered ACTHA. She told me, "What a beautiful match ACTHA is for Hoofbeats because it lets riders celebrate their horses and appreciate them, and have training goals for them all at the same time. It is a wonderful chance to raise funds to buy hay for Hoofbeats, too!" Plans are in the works for Hoofbeat's second ACTHA ride this fall, and some students will participate so they can experience the thrill of a new challenge and continue to grow.

"As the students progress it is necessary and correct to raise the bar. To expect more of them." Carol explained. Eliza Beard has been a Hoofbeats student for seven years. She's competed in the Special Olympics on lead line for six of those years. When Blueberry came to Hoofbeats four years ago he asked for Eliza. Always willing to trust Blueberry's instincts, Carol teamed them up. Eliza's lessons immediately took on a new dimension as she mastered techniques that allowed her to no longer need side walkers, and only a leader for occasional transitions. That year she and Blueberry won four gold medals.

Carol raised the bar, again. To reach the next level of independence Eliza needed to ride without the aid of a lead line. The lessons took a slight setback. Blueberry would protest each time Carol stepped in to assist Eliza. He knew Eliza could do it on her own. Carol got the message and stepped back. During the next lap around the ring Carol heard Eliza give a confident, cluck. Blueberry stepped into his flowing trot. Eliza clucked again. Blueberry dropped to a walk. Spectators cheered, Eliza tossed her arms high and squealed with glee. Carol hugged Blueberry.

Eliza and Blueberry have begun to compete in open shows. That smile on her face is independence.

Gitty Up!

Dutch Henry