Rider Stories
Meet Liam
Meet Miles
Meet Liam
Liam began therapeutic riding lessons when he was just 4 years old. Although quite a bit taller now, he's still the same curly haired boy who walks into lessons with a giant smile, ready to ride. Liam has developed over the years from being merely a passenger to becoming an active rider. Lessons have helped him to follow directions (on an
Liam began therapeutic riding lessons when he was just 4 years old. Although quite a bit taller now, he's still the same curly haired boy who walks into lessons with a giant smile, ready to ride. Liam has developed over the years from being merely a passenger to becoming an active rider. Lessons have helped him to follow directions (on and off the horse!) Working to stay with the movement of the horse has helped Liam's strength and balance. It is obvious that he cares for the horses and sees his mount as his partner.
Brothers
Meet Miles
Meet Liam
The time spent at Heartland is the highlight of Liam and Miles' week. Their parents report that they speak of their horses and riding for days before coming to HTR and their excitement bubbles over on the car ride to their lesson. The boys know they have a partner they can learn with, learn from and trust. Its one of the few times in thei
The time spent at Heartland is the highlight of Liam and Miles' week. Their parents report that they speak of their horses and riding for days before coming to HTR and their excitement bubbles over on the car ride to their lesson. The boys know they have a partner they can learn with, learn from and trust. Its one of the few times in their lives that they have control over the situation. In creating a bond with their horse, Liam and Miles have gained confidence that rolls over into their daily life.
Meet Miles
Meet Miles
Meet Miles
When Miles first started riding, he was all about the GO. He wanted to get on and get moving! As he's developed a partnership with his horse, he has started to think about consequences. What happens if you don't steer? You run into things. This improvement in his understanding of cause and effect has spilled over into the rest of Miles' l
When Miles first started riding, he was all about the GO. He wanted to get on and get moving! As he's developed a partnership with his horse, he has started to think about consequences. What happens if you don't steer? You run into things. This improvement in his understanding of cause and effect has spilled over into the rest of Miles' life. He is thinking about what he's doing but also considering the next step and how to get through his activities.
Rider Stories
Meet Amy
Riding Accomplishments
Riding Accomplishments
Amy first heard about Heartland in the 80's and thought she would give horseback riding a try. Then and now she is always looking for fun activities outside of traditional therapies to help with her strength, flexibility and mobility. Due to working full-time and attending college, it didn't work out for Amy to continue riding then but sh
Amy first heard about Heartland in the 80's and thought she would give horseback riding a try. Then and now she is always looking for fun activities outside of traditional therapies to help with her strength, flexibility and mobility. Due to working full-time and attending college, it didn't work out for Amy to continue riding then but she decided to try it again in 2010 and has been riding ever since.
Riding Accomplishments
Riding Accomplishments
Riding Accomplishments
Over the years Amy has worked on becoming a well-rounded horsewoman. Her balance has improved allowing her to use her body to direct the horse rather than relying on her reins. She trots and does 2-point position. Amy is able to spend most of her time in the saddle off lead and she enjoys this independence. Beyond riding, Amy has learned
Over the years Amy has worked on becoming a well-rounded horsewoman. Her balance has improved allowing her to use her body to direct the horse rather than relying on her reins. She trots and does 2-point position. Amy is able to spend most of her time in the saddle off lead and she enjoys this independence. Beyond riding, Amy has learned anatomy, tacking, breeds and colors. In 2015 she was presented with the Thomas Fahey Memorial Award for Sportsmanship.
Out of the Saddle
Riding Accomplishments
Out of the Saddle
The saddle is not the only place that Amy sees improvements. When regularly riding, Amy feels that her body becomes stronger and more flexible. Those things allow her to increase her mobility. Each lesson she can feel her muscles relax after settling in on her mount. Amy has noticed that when she rides her right hand and forearm, which a
The saddle is not the only place that Amy sees improvements. When regularly riding, Amy feels that her body becomes stronger and more flexible. Those things allow her to increase her mobility. Each lesson she can feel her muscles relax after settling in on her mount. Amy has noticed that when she rides her right hand and forearm, which are typically tight and contracted, start to relax and her grasp improves. It even continues beyond her dismount.
Rider Stories
Meet Ali
Ali and Simon
Ali and Simon
When you meet 7-year old Ali at Heartland Therapeutic Riding (HTR), you would never know that every day she struggles with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. For Ali, HTR is her happy place. She feels safe and secure here; and her anxiety and stress fade away. Ali’s mother, Heidi says, “It’s who she is now! Horses are her thing … they ground her.”
Ali and Simon
Ali and Simon
Ali and Simon
Ali’s parents wanted her to find a safe place where she could accomplish goals on her own. They tried swimming, dance, and soccer, but Ali’s extreme separation anxiety and special medical needs were just too much for her to overcome.
Ali at Camp
Ali and Simon
Ali at Camp
Finding HTR gave Ali and her family hope! Our four-legged therapists help calm and relax Ali. This sense of peace is difficult for her to find beyond the walls of the barn. She is making new friends, building her self-confidence and coping skills, and even attended her first all-day summer camp at HTR.
Meet Evan
Evan's Success
Evan's Story
Evan’s journey with HTR started 30 years ago. That’s right, Evan has been riding at HTR for 30 years!
“Once he gets on his horse, he’s a happy camper,” explain his parents, Debby and Millard. But that’s not how Evan started at HTR. His parents recall his first day at HTR, “Evan wasn’t happy to be at a barn! He screamed and curled into a fe
Evan’s journey with HTR started 30 years ago. That’s right, Evan has been riding at HTR for 30 years!
“Once he gets on his horse, he’s a happy camper,” explain his parents, Debby and Millard. But that’s not how Evan started at HTR. His parents recall his first day at HTR, “Evan wasn’t happy to be at a barn! He screamed and curled into a fetal position.” It took several weeks of the HTR staff patiently working with Evan to get him on a horse. But, once he trotted with his horse, he loved it and was hooked on riding.
Evan's Story
Evan's Success
Evan's Story
Evan has cerebral palsy. His parents first brought Evan to HTR to improve his balance, core strength, and flexibility. Today, Evan comes for the social interaction with his rider friends like Carl, Jason and Mo and to maintain is strength.
Through riding, Evan has increased his strength to a point where he can sit independently with confid
Evan has cerebral palsy. His parents first brought Evan to HTR to improve his balance, core strength, and flexibility. Today, Evan comes for the social interaction with his rider friends like Carl, Jason and Mo and to maintain is strength.
Through riding, Evan has increased his strength to a point where he can sit independently with confidence. This gives him freedom from his wheelchair. It’s peace of mind for his parents, but it also means Evan has the strength to participate in activities like sitting in a restaurant booth or on the front porch.
Evan's Success
Evan's Success
Evan's Success
30 years of riding creates many memories like Evan’s first horse show where he smiled from ear to ear when he received his ribbon. “He was so proud of himself!” said Debby. Evan loves an audience and was in “seventh heaven” when his brother and niece came to watch him ride. His family embraces the importance for Evan to have his own activ
30 years of riding creates many memories like Evan’s first horse show where he smiled from ear to ear when he received his ribbon. “He was so proud of himself!” said Debby. Evan loves an audience and was in “seventh heaven” when his brother and niece came to watch him ride. His family embraces the importance for Evan to have his own activity - riding at HTR.
It’s been a good thing (riding) for him…physically and emotionally, said his parents. HTR staff and volunteers look forward to many more years of Evan riding.