My daughter has been horseback riding for 3 years now with Horse Sense for Kids. When starting the program my daughter was going through many challenges such as anxiety, depression, suicide thoughts and poor self-esteem. She felt no worth in herself and therefore felt like a failure and a bad child. My daughter became very silent as if losing her voice and will to speak. Coming here has changed her life. The very first day driving to Horse Sense for Kids she said “I hope I have a white horse with dark poke-a-dots”. What did she get that day was exactly what she had hoped for “Leo a white horse with dark poke-a-dots”. This put hope in my daughter’s eyes. After that very first lesson I have never seen my daughter smile so much and be her true self happy. She still from time to time has bad days however, when she goes to that barn – never has she walked out the same. She always walks out feeling happy, confident and worth as a child should feel. My daughter can be herself coming to the barn. She is treated with the upmost compassion from all employees and helpers.
Her connection with the horses is indescribable. The harmony the horses bring to her is quite noticeable. Her demeanour, facial expression, laughter and body relaxation are all noticeable traits that change in each and every lesson in my daughter. The horses seem to sense how she is feeling and stay calm in order to help her attain that same balance. I remember a short time ago everyone at the barn : instructor and other parents had noticed my daughter was having an off day. My daughter was quiet, not smiling and seemingly unhappy. Taking her time to groom her Toby and take care of an animal was exactly what she needed. Just the fact of having control of an animal and caring for it was what altered her mindset. After the lesson, from riding her favorite horse Toby we all noticed a difference in her attitude. She was smiling, talking, joking and all around genuinely happy. The love the horse showed for my daughter changed her day. She felt truly as if Toby was hers to love and care for.
As a mother, I have noticed if my daughter misses one week of lessons it is noticeable in her behaviour. This is something she looks forward to and does not want to miss. She has now dedicated herself not
only to riding lessons but also to volunteering and helping around the stables just to be with the horses. My daughter is now able to speak about her feelings and discuss her life challenges. She is calm and rational and all around an amazing daughter whom we love dearly.
There’s not a day that goes by where I don’t thank Horse Sense for Kids enough for giving this gift to my daughter. Without this program my daughter would never be the same. I thank them truly for giving me back my daughter whom I had lost at one point and have now regained her to who she was before her challenges.
Mother of Participant