Horse Therapy: Term 2
We’re baaaaaack!
Second term of horseback riding therapy is in the books, and this time, we have done some big things! To start off this term, Owen got some boots and a new helmet for riding. One of his favorite things to receive after going to therapy or doctors appointments are the stickers, so as his routine of grabbing one when he is done has turned into putting them on his helmet now. It will be fun to see them all add up over time!
This term in a few words would be: challenging, successful, tired (because parenting lol) and cold!
Being in the winter months, we were bundled up snug most of the time, it was really cold this year! Ick. There were some days that we didn’t go because it wasn’t safe to have O out in it, and even though we are inside the arena and in the barn on these days, we try and keep Owen indoors above a certain temperature so that his joints don’t hurt him.
To summarize, Owen learned some responsibilities around the barn, had a really fun day doing all the chores and cleaning his favorite horse. He actually loved going back and forth to fill up the water and enjoyed brushing her for longer than I thought he would. He was so proud, you could just see it on his sweet face. Sister Pais and Brother B were able to come on a day to see O in action and that was so nice for them to be able to see. Being a blended family, we don’t usually have the kiddos on this therapy day with us. Owen did have some more negative outbursts this term compared to the last, which he cannot control, but it was a mixture between some specific things in his days and medications that we have worked out. Talking toys work every single time. We always joke and say that toys or stuffed animals get more things accomplished than we do because Owen will listen to anything that they say! haha. Riley has kind of retired from Owen as he is a bit heavier now and she is an older horse. His new horse is a younger guy just like O and created an amazing bond instantly. They have had so much fun together and as much as Owen still sees Riley in the barn every time, he is just as excited to go ride his new friend now too.
This term’s best buddies: Owen + Mack
Owen and Mack love trotting together (this is Owen’s favorite thing to do while riding) and have been working on some new skills! Owen does stretches and balance techniques every week and Mack has encouraged Owen to touch his head while riding and they also like to play ball and other games together, like tag, where they run and chase me to keep O’s attention span happy and excited to still be on the horse for a few more minutes. Owen talks to Mack, or whichever horse is ‘his’, as his best friend and it is so amazing to watch a bond like this come to life. When a horse can make a child laugh? Now that is something special…
Please enjoy these memories with us, from our winter days of this term spent at this lovely place again and these amazing people. There is a special kind of ‘glow’ that beams on Owen’s face while he is here. You all mean so much to us here, thank you for all that you do for our children.
On days when it is too cold to ride, he is still able to help around the barn and work in the classroom doing something fun. This is so nice to still be able to make our drive worth while.
“Hey, Owen! Miss Piggy says to come this way, okay?” Owen: “Ok, Piggy! Here I come!” #parentingwin
Taking off our boots and changing back into our normal shoes in the car, ha.
As the weather started to thaw a bit and the sun started to peep out a little more, apparently so did my change in edits on my photos? So here we are. A bright new look into the Spring time finish into this term. We are all smiles as we go into the next.
