As we are facing unique times and changes to our daily routine, I was reminded yesterday that life still goes on at the barn. Those who care for the horses at Christine’s Dream are still up at the crack of dawn and heading to work. Every day our amazing PATH instructor Sara leaves her family and the comfort and safety of her home and heads to care for the horses.
This entails getting the horses from the stall in the rain, snow, hail or whatever nature wants to throw at her. Feeding them, brushing them, saddling them, and riding each one. With no Canopy individuals there to ride the horses, Sara must keep working with them on her own. Training does not stop, the need for socialization does not stop, the horse’s needs do not stop. Everyday this is a task Sara takes on to be certain that when this crisis is over, every horse will be ready to work with our families helping our riders to get reacquainted with the horses and daily routines again.
Savannah, our possible new therapeutic Clydesdale, did not have the opportunity to build a relationship with our friends from Canopy. She arrived and was adjusting to life at the ranch and then things changed. As Sara continues to work with Savannah and continues to learn more about her and how her personality works, we all hope that she will be selected as one of the few horses in our therapeutic riding program, and be given the opportunity to bond with out students and help make their riding experience an everlasting desire.
Thank you, Sara, for all you do at the Barn and with Canopy. Your unique field of expertise has made the lives of many Autistic individuals exciting and thriving. Your talent opens the door to other individuals with disability besides Autism. Check out Christine’s Dream and schedule a visit to see the horses and to learn more about this amazing program.