Tall in the Saddle By Katie V. Jones
Westminster Eagle 01/03/2006 By Katie V. Jones
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Horses can be intimidating.
Ranging in all different sizes and colors, a horse - with its four legs, swinging head and flaring nostrils - might not be the choice animal for many to approach easily.
But at the 4-H Therapeutic Riding Program of Carroll County it is the horses, combined with the work of volunteers, that reach out to children and adults who face challenges every day - whether physically or mentally.
The program gives lessons and riding opportunities for people with varied disabilities, from developmental restrictions to physical conditions such as cerebral palsy.
For those with such limitations, the program offers a chance for mobility and a sense of freedom they can otherwise not achieve, and studies indicate that therapeutic riding can help people with disabilities improve muscle usage and flexibility, and can also benefit social and communications skills.
Therapeutic riding generally began as a therapy for disabled persons in the 1950s, after Lis Hartel of Denmark won a silver medal in the 1952 Olympics despite severe polio. She had to be helped on and off her horse at the Olympic Games in Helsinki, Finland.
Today, many riders in the Carroll County program participate in horse shows and train for the Special Olympics.
"It is a great thing," says Chris Bradford, a volunteer for the riding club. "Even if you had a rough night and didn't get much response, you still feel it was worth it."
While the club rides under the 4-H flag, it provides riding lessons to anyone between the ages of 3 and up with a therapeutic disability, according to Peggy Roland, a volunteer and secretary of the program's Board of Directors.
"We seated 51 riders this past session," Roland, 57, says, noting that members come from all across the county, and even beyond.
The club has been in existence since 1978. It first began meeting outdoors at private farms, but eventually relocated to the Carroll County Agricultural Center.
In 1997, the club purchased a building in town and actually had it moved to its current location near the Ag Center and Carroll County Farm Museum.
"We can ride in the rain, (whereas) we couldn't before," Roland says, standing in the center of the large show ring.
"We can ride after dark ... though it is very yellow in here," she says, laughing at the lights.
With its high tin ceiling, the barn can also get very loud during heavy rain or wind.
For that reason, and others, it is always essential for volunteers to be present with the therapeutic riders. While some may need only a little assistance, others may need up to three volunteers.
Most classes at the center have between four or six riders. Add the volunteers and instructor, and the ring can be quite crowded - and loud.
"Volunteers are absolutely wonderful," Roland says. "We don't hold classes without them. They are here for the safety of the riders."
Volunteers are constantly being trained.
"I know a lot more now than I did," notes Bradford, who had only a little experience with horses before becoming a volunteer two years ago.
"I go early to play with the horses more, and do grooming," Bradford says. "I learn a lot, too. I'm still a rookie."
The four-legged volunteers, aka the horses, obviously are also a critical piece of the program. Many of the riders form a strong bond with their horse, and that connection can lead to both physical and emotional progress.
The horses in the 4-H program are evaluated throughout the year to make sure they can stand up to the rigors of the program - and that have the temperament needed.
Not all horses are accepted to become part of the therapeutic riding program.
"The horses have to be suitable for our riders," Roland explains. "Occasionally, horses won't catch on to it. There are different sounds. They have to walk to a block and be mounted.
"It is very, very different," she says. "If they can't adapt to that environment, we find a different home for them."
And some, she notes, simply get too old to remain in the program.
"Two times a season," she says, "we look critically at our herd."
These days, seven horses make up the club's mounts. Some are donated; others are on permanent loan or have a lease agreement.
This past year, the club had an agreement with the River Valley Ranch, in Millers, that allowed them to house their horses for nine months.
"It was a lot of fun to have their horses up. They were younger," Roland said. "We were really pleased how it worked out."
Riders in the 4-H program pay a minimum fee for either a five- or 10-week session of one-hour classes.
The club currently has a waiting list of potential riders.
"They do such a good job," Bradford said. "I recommend it to other people I know to volunteer. It is such a great thing."
The 4-H Therapeutic Riding Program of Carroll County is always looking for new volunteers, and hosts periodic training sessions. To volunteer or register for training classes, call Peggy Roland at 410-876-1760.
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