Although we aren’t able to enroll Levi, our almost-nine year
old son with severe Autism, in a $5,000.00 a
year Equine Therapy Program, Levi took it upon himself yesterday to enlighten
us that he was highly motivated to begin riding and bonding with Baby. Baby is a
9 year old Quarter horse that was given to us by a family who wasn’t able to
care for her any longer, due to health problems.
Yesterday was
John~Micah’s birthday and it was such a beautiful sunny day. We went to the front
field, where the horses were, and that sweet Baby was laying down, sunbathing.
When Trevor approached Baby, amazingly
enough, she just laid there. Normally, she would have hopped up. Makes me
wonder if she laid there purposely to invite Levi to interact with her. J
Levi is not an animal lover. He’s
somewhat intimidated by their quick, unpredictable movements and really steers
away from them altogether. So, what spontaneously transpired was amazing to all
of us. Levi, comfortably and confidently, walked up beside Trevor and began to pet
Baby. I knew Baby was going to jump up. She continued to lay there. Then, Levi
put his knee up on her back while continuing to pet her. After a minute or so,
he stretched his leg out over her back. I was holding my breath because I
really wasn’t sure what Baby was going to do at this point. Then he did what
looked to be so natural for him, he slid his little body up until he had
completely mounted her in the riding position. All the while Baby just laid there
for him. We were ecstatic! Levi eventually rode Baby bareback and with a
saddle.
Levi is so brave! We
are so proud of him in the way that he pushed through his fears and stayed so
determined to accomplish what he had set his mind to do.
Levi had a better than
usual day yesterday as we look back. He never had sensory-overload which
resulted in less stimming and mini-meltdowns. Overall, he was just a happier
little boy!
Using horse-riding as
a form of therapy is definitely beneficial. I wish you could see the difference
in the ABA therapy sessions that we’ve taken him to and compare them to what we
saw yesterday. We saw Levi respond with delight almost immediately, and the
rest of the day was virtually stress-free and happy-go-lucky for him. I’m a
believer.
