Connie Tiesenhausen has never seen her 11-year-old daughter light up the way she does when she hops onto the saddle of a horse.
Bella Tiesenhausen is one of 10 children and youth with developmental challenges that take part in weekly therapeutic horse rides at Jasper’s McCready Arena. According to Connie, Bella has limited motor skills, is nonverbal and is often impulsive, but the second she climbs onto a large hoofed creature, Connie immediately notices a change within her daughter.
“She’s been riding since she was three and she’s benefited so much from the program. As far as her control and her self-esteem the horses have really helped—it’s a calming force for her,” said Connie. “I don’t know what it is about these gentle giants, but they seem to have an immediate effect on these children.
“The horses seem to know these kids have a lot of challenges.”
Helen van Tongeren couldn’t agree more. She’s the one who started Jasper’s therapeutic riding classes back in 2004.
“Horses can sense when someone isn’t able to do something. They are very sensitive to these children’s needs,” van Tongeren said. “It’s really hard to explain, but horses are capable of making these strong connections with the children.
“The amount these children progress and improve physically and mentally is amazing.”
According to Pacific Riding For Developing Abilities, a British Columbia organization, riders who participate in equine assisted therapy can experience physical, emotional and psychological rewards. Because horseback riding gently and rhythmically moves the rider’s body in a manner similar to a human gait, riders show improvement in flexibility, balance and muscle strength. For individuals with mental or emotional disabilities, the relationships formed with the horse, the instructors and the other riders can lead to increased confidence, patience and self-esteem.
During the first few years of van Tongeren’s summer sessions she only had one horse and a couple of riders, however since the benefits of therapeutic riding have spread, van Tongeren has newcomers each year and local horse owners have started offering up their own horses for the sessions.
“I wouldn’t be able to do this if it weren’t for the volunteers that help me and the ones that donate their horses,” said van Tongeren, adding that each of the program’s horses have to be carefully selected because each riders’ challenges vary.
Initially, van Tongeren said most children are afraid or intimidated when they come face-to-face with the horses, however, after some basic training and some safety precautions each child begins to feel comfortable in the saddle.
“For some children it’s a little more difficult, but one by one they begin learning their lefts and rights and how to follow instructions and what’s important around a horse,” van Tongeren said.
“There’s a lot of trust that goes into the relationship between the horse and the child.”
Irene Marsh’s daughter Angela, is new to van Tongeren’s program this summer, however, Angela has taken part in numerous therapeutic rides throughout the years.
“We’re really happy that this program exists here. We didn’t have this at our last home and we really value the benefits that it’s provided for Angela,” said Irene adding that her family moved to Jasper last January.
Like Bella, Angela is also 11-years-old, but due to cognitive challenges she has the mental capacity of a toddler, which also affects Angela’s physical abilities. Irene said that during Angela’s early years horse therapy played a big part in teaching her how to sit up on her own. The rides continue to help Angela with her core strength and balance.
“Not only are horses amazing animals, but they allow the kids to feel like other kids—not all these kids can take part in sports like baseball or soccer, but this is something that they can get involved in and get excited about,” van Tongeren said. “It’s always great to see the kids’ smiling faces.
“I get a lot of the same kids every year and they just keep getting better and better.”
Kayla Byrne
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