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It would be an untruth to say that I
didn’t encounter some serious skepticism from fellow horse-people
when I told them I planned to use my Paso Finos for Equine-Assisted
Psychotherapy at Pinnacle Ranch. At the very least, I always got the
question “Are you sure that is safe, aren’t they too high-strung for
that?” To be perfectly honest, I wasn’t 100% sure of it myself (did
I mention the horses are loose in the arena with the clients?), but
I always assured people that they would be fine.
When it was time to
start seeing clients, I picked out three horses that I thought would
handle the pressure (children yelling, waving their hands, etc.) the
best and be the most intuitive and sensitive with the clients (at
this point our clients were three girls ages 10-12). After
conferring with my parents and my Practice Administrator, we decided
to use my mother’s trail horse, my trail horse, and an old
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show mare (2-time Reserve National
Champion) of mine who, over the last several years, has suffered
repeated laminitis and cannot be ridden.
We had a few practice sessions with the mares to get them accustomed
to the types of activities the clients would be participating in and I
was immediately amazed at how the horses reacted and interacted with
us in the arena. It was unlike anything I had ever experienced with
horses before and, the first time the girls stepped in the arena with
the horses it was clear that not only are Paso Finos safe for EAP,
they are remarkably intuitive, and truly enjoy interacting with the
clients.
Being a life-long equestrian and after owning Paso Finos for almost 20
years, I thought I understood the positive effect that horses have on
people, mostly from first-hand experience. Turns out I was wrong. I
had only experienced the tip of the iceberg and I have found myself in
the position once again of a student, eager to learn all I can about
these wonderful animals and profoundly intrigued by their intuitive
nature and ability to mirror humans reactions, behaviors, and
patterns. They amaze me each and every time I put them in the arena
and having the privilege of owning, loving, and sharing them with
children who need them has changed my life forever.
To the Paso Finos of Pinnacle Ranch: You have the ability to touch so
many lives and I am forever grateful to be a part of it. Thank you!
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Pinnacle Ranch, LLC. is an EGALA certified program located in
Kingsport, TN.
For more information on Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy and Pinnacle
Ranch, LLC, contact Holly Hopson at 423-341-5628 or
hollyehopson@yahoo.com.
A link to their website will be posted as soon as their website
becomes available on-line. Check back soon!
For more information on the EGALA
program, visit www.Eagala.org. |
