Update: A distinctive new horse has come to REINS. Cosmo is an Appaloosa.
In the spring, I turned on a local channel to watch a sporting event that was to start at 9 am (a common occurrence on the West Coast). I caught the end of a morning news show. It was a live feature about a program right down the street from me.
The program is called REINS, Riding Emphasizing Individual Needs and Strengths. It is a therapeutic horse-riding program, offering therapy to nearly 200 students, including children, adults, and seniors.
I learned relatively soon after moving here in 2012 that I lived in “horse country.” Neighbors have them and there are several programs and facilities involving horses nearby. I had considered being closer to horses as a goal during my time here. I had driven by REINS, however, many, many times and had not followed up.
Watching the television program, the REINS spokespeople said they continued to welcome volunteers. I realized they were talking to me. Went online, provided my info, attended an orientation session a couple of days later, and started my Tuesday morning shifts beginning of May.
My duties are varied. I shovel poop, rake straw, fill water barrels, groom horses, bring the correct tack out for horses scheduled that morning. “Tack” is the term for items for a saddle horse, e.g., saddle, stirrups, reins, etc. There are particular sets of tack, depending on the horse and the rider.
Most of my time, though, is spent as a “side walker.” Each rider is accompanied by a therapist, walking alongside the horse’s left side. For some riders, a side walker also walks alongside the horse’s right side. It may be because the rider is young and not especially stable. Or it may be possible the rider could have a seizure. In any case, the side walker is principally there for safety reasons, as well as to open gates and perform other minor tasks.
Ah, the horses. There are a couple of dozen horses at REINS, somewhat evenly split between geldings (neutered males) and mares. Two of the mares are miniatures, most often used as ambassadors for the program at fairs and local schools. Some of the horses are quite large. Grooming them, I often have to reach above my head to brush their backs.
The horse in the above photo is one of the larger ones. I’m reaching above my head to touch the saddle. A couple of things to note about this horse. His mane has been cut back to form a short “crewcut.” You can also see a “K” shaved in the coat on his neck. That’s the first letter of his name, “Konah.” He is a Fjord Horse, one of several at REINS. As you’ll see in the photos below, the appearance of each Fjord Horse is similar to others, so the initial shaved into the coat is to help humans identify the specific horse.
The Fjord Horse is considered the world’s oldest known horse breed. They have been bred by Norwegians for more than 2,000 years and were used as war horses by Viking warriors. According to webmd.com, the Fjord Horse’s “placid personality makes it popular with horse enthusiasts from many disciplines. It’s a naturally people-oriented companion that adults and children can ride safely.”
The mane, when not cut back, is full and somewhat difficult to manage. Its thickness and mix of black and tan hairs allows for variations. Below is Sarah, with a checkerboard style.
The photo below is not a horse at REINS, but shows the mane when allowed to be full.
There has been research that shows positive effects from riding horses, especially improvements in balance for those with motor disabilities. I regularly side walk a little girl who is unable to talk and can walk only with assistance. She seems to enjoy the physicality of the horse, resting her head along her horse’s neck and placing her hand on the large shoulder muscles as they move. She also enjoys the short trots, enthusiastically bouncing up and down.
For me, I enjoy being of help to people who benefit from this therapy. I also enjoy being close to horses, despite their daunting scale. I also get something of a workout. Generally, I walk about 10,000 steps each morning shift, including a few running when trotting is called for, and also do various physical actions, e.g., lifting saddles onto and off of horses, that are not typical for me. Mostly, though, it’s just learning the various personalities of the horses, listening to them gallop, and walking with them down clip-clop lane.
I start some “advanced” training next week, learning to “lead” horses on the walks. Giddy up!