As I am driving to Freedom Ride to teach for the day my mind begins to race. “I hope I have enough volunteers for all my lessons today:”, with that first thought the flood gates of my mind open and I begin thinking….
I hope Zeus is feeling better because I really need him for John’s lesson. John has made such great progress and I don’t want to cancel his lesson. Last week was a great accomplishment for John, I still can not believe I cried when I saw him walk around the arena with no side walkers, sitting up straight, completely independent.
Last week was the first time he has been able to have the taste of freedom and ride independently. John, has been in a wheel chair and depended on his caretakers since his accident seven years ago. I begin to smile as I drive and realize how far John has comes over the past two years at Freedom Ride.
My thoughts switch to Ashley, I really hope she overcomes her fear of cantering off the lounge line, today. I’m a little confused as to where her fear is coming from, she was cantering by herself beautifully just a couple of weeks ago. I need to talk to her mom about it, maybe, there is something that happened outside of her riding lesson that I am not aware of. She was making so much progress and I really want her to show in the walk, trot, canter class at Special Olympics this year.
Then I remember, I need to complete all the paperwork for Special Olympics and I have to get all my progress notes to the program director from the previous session. This is the moment, when I start to feel overwhelmed about my day and I haven’t even started teaching.
Ethan pops into my mind, and I can’t wait to see that big smile again when he starts trotting. That is one of those moments when I realize why I love teach therapeutic riding. What an incredible feeling to see, this little y year old, laughing and smiling when just three weeks ago he was afraid to even get on Pete the pony.
I have to give Titan a strong leader in today’s lessons. He was nipping yesterday when we went into the trot. I have to find time today and work with him. He is getting bored with the lessons and I need take him out on a trial ride to break up his day and get him out of the arena, at that moment I begin to be consumed with thoughts about all the horses and their needs.
I start to realize that my day is becoming a lot longer than I first anticipated. I also have to get on Argus and ride him at some point. He was not exercised that much in the past week and I need to work with him if I want him to stay in our program. I see so much potential in him and think he would be a great addition. We only have six more weeks until the trial period is over and we need to make our decision whether not keep him for the program. He is so willing and level-headed, he just needs a little work since he is an 8-year-old warm blood and has not been worked in over a year.
I pull into the parking lot, and remember that Lou, my led volunteer is on vacation. I depend on him to keep things running while I am teaching and I can not do my job effectively without him. He keeps the barn going and the lessons on schedule. I really count on him to help with tacking up, bringing horses in from the pasture, feeding and managing the other volunteers. “What am I going to do without him, today?”
My day begins and as I am walking to the stable I see that Joan is there. I take a deep breath of relief. Joan, our other lead volunteer, must have heard me say that Lou was going to be out today and decided to show up and help. Freedom Ride would not exist without the support and dedication of the wonderful volunteers and I am thankful for them everyday.
This is just a glimpse into my life as a therapeutic riding instructor.It has been the most challenging and rewards position I have ever held. I had the pleasure of being part of an amazing team of loyal horses, staff and volunteers at Freedom Ride Therapeutic Riding Center in downtown Orlando FL. Freedom Ride is dedicated to enriching the lives and experiences of children and adults with mental and physical disabilities by engaging them in various equestrian activities designed to promote and improve physical, mental and social well-being. Freedom Ride is built on the conviction that we are not defined by our limitations. I am honored to have been part of the Freedom Ride team and working with amazing staff, students and horses. Freedom Ride truly exemplifies the meaning of Horsepower for the Spirit.