Little Postcards from "Holland": A Horse is a Horse of Course of Course

I just can't be around horses without singing the theme to Mr. Ed. Yesterday, John and I got to do something I have been wanting to do for so long. I finally took him for an evaluation for hippo therapy. I got a call on Monday that they wanted to see him for an evaluation and they had an opening for Wednesday. Can't you just feel God moving and making that happen for us? So I picked him up from school around 11:30 yesterday and we set out on an hour drive to Magnolia (northwest Houston).

I didn't think we would ever get there. That place is in the sticks. But I was very impressed with the facilities. The only unimpressive part was the parking lot. It was all gravel with dirt around the edges. Have you ever tried pushing a wheel chair across gravel? It's not easy. Going across the dirt was a little easier, but still not ideal.

We went in and met some of the staff. The physical therapist, Lee, met with us and after answering some questions for her, she wanted to see what John could do. So she spent a little time playing with him. She got a good feel for his balance and his abilities, as well as how much he seeks imput from outside sources. She then put him on this seat that moves and simulates a horse's movement. He did well on it, but in no time he was wanting more imput. Then she tried on a helmet to see which one would fit him and then we set off outside to the arena.

We rolled him up on the wheel chair ramp, and someone brought a horse over for him to get on. The horse's name is Dancer. She put the helmet back on his head and then he began to cry. He knew something was about to happen and he was not sure of it. So they got him up on the horse. One lady led the horse, and two people stood on either side of him to hold him up. Once they started to walk, he calmed down and then seemed to really enjoy himself. He looked so cute up on that horse, with the helmet on his head. They walked two laps around with him sitting up. Then they layed him on his stomach across the saddle and walked one lap. They tried to then let him lie on his back across the saddle, but he wanted to sit up. So they sat him up sideways on the horse and walked one final lap. He really did great.

He will begin therapy this summer, riding once a week for 7 weeks. It will depend if they have any spots open up whether he will be able to ride again in the fall. But I feel like that 7 weeks is better than nothing and he could really benefit from that time. The therapy sessions are 45 minutes long and about 35 of those minutes are actually spent on the horse. He will not only ride the horse, but they will also be doing therapy with him as he sits on the horse. I am so excited to watch him.

Of course I took some pictures and even a video. I am so excited about this. Thank you, Lord, for providing this opportunity for our son.