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Over the past couple of weeks it seems as though it has been the AH-HA time for riders- That time where everything just clicks and they are able to do what has been worked on for a couple of weeks. For an instructor these times are very rewarding; you are able to see the light go on in a persons face when it all comes together and they now they are doing it after weeks or sometimes months trying to work all the pieces together.

2 weeks ago the little girl who would like Camille to live in her bedroom came for one of her usual 2x a month lessons. Over the past 3-4 months we have been working on a posting trot on the lunge line. She struggled with it partly because the space in between lessons caused some sliding backwards and partly because of some physical difficulties. For the longest time it seemed she could not just figure out the rhythm of it, she needed me to verbally cue her up and down and even then it was challenging for her. Yet the last time she came it all clicked and she just did it, no cues no reminders, she was just trotting around posting on the correct diagonal like she had always done it. When we stopped for a moment to give her legs a rest she leaned down, gave Camille a big hug and said “Now we are sisters.” A very heartwarming moment for the three of us. It seemed even Camille understood why that moment was so special. For horse people you understand the connection built when you work together, figure out each others rhythms and movement and the reward in that. When I am able to provide and facilitate it for others it makes everything worth it. Building a bond with someone else and sharing in the glow of accomplishment is something that will be remembered for a lifetime and carries over into other parts of their life. I know this little girl will always remember her “sister” Camille and what she was able to do with her.

Unfortunately due to the alarming across the board budget cuts in our area, her parents are unsure if she will be able to come anymore. Her funding has been cut as it has been for many individuals with disabilities. Our weekly group from the school for at-risk young boys has also had to cut back due to their challenging budget. At the last lesson, the boys said their tearful good-byes to their favorite mounts.. the young man who for the last 2 years confided his inner most secrets to Camille whispered his last for now.

Dream On Curls riding Center INC over the years has helped people access funding from different area agencies to help provide rewarding experiences like these and is now excited to announce that it has become a 501(c)3 organization. This will allow us to fundraise and provide scholarships for riders. Visit our web site and click on the donations page to see how you can help ! http://www.vermontel.net/~top/dreamoncurls.htm Anyone can - through pay pal or by sending a check, sponsor a rider with a scholarship. Please consider this kind gift for our riders. Your gift is tax deductible to the full extent of the IRS Code Section 501(c)3.

Now that we have received our long awaited determination form the IRS, we have been busy writing grants so all our riders can continue without budget concerns. There is also a button at the bottom of the blogger page you can click on for iGive. Every time you shop at any of 700+ online stores in the iGive network, a portion of the money you spend benefits Dream On Curls Riding Center. It's a free service, and you'll never pay more when you reach a store through iGive. In fact, smart shoppers will enjoy iGive's repository of coupons, free shipping deals, and sales. To get started, just create your free iGive account. And when you search the web, do it through iSearchiGive.com where each search means a penny (or more!) for our cause! Check it out and consider joining up. You can raise money every time you search the web, at iSearchiGive.com. Make it your homepage and use it to find everything from news on the economy, to mood-lifting jokes (we recommend the latter). Dream On Curls Riding Center gets a penny (or more!) every time you search. Believe it or not, it adds up quickly and best of all, it costs you NOTHING! Start iGiving at: www.iSearchiGive.com/DreamOnCurlsRidingCenter.

Enjoy your day ~

Our Special Angel therapy horse

We have many wonderful therapy horses that provide safety, compassion and fun for our riders but one in particular is a shining star in the program. She is Camille. She is an older mare who has seen and done many things, from dressing up as an elephant for her previous owner to trotting down the road and trail. She has the been there done that attitude so does not get worked up about little things that could be potentially spooky. Camille is always safe for her riders, being able to carry those with severe physical disabilities slowly and carefully. When someone comes who is more capable physically she meets the challenge and does just as well for them. This makes her a very well rounded therapy mount to help teach riding skills.

Her one characteristic that sets her apart from other horses- she is what is referred to as a "baldie" in the curly horse world. This means ~not only does she have no mane and tail but also has spots on her body that shed down to skin giving her a patchy body covering of hair. While at first riders and parents/caregivers look at her and express concern and an uncomfortableness about her appearance, once they ride her all is forgotten and it is true love.

Over the years we have had many people ride Camille and they always fall in love with her despite her appearance. It is her gentle, caring nature that endears all. Horses apparently have a heart 20 times larger than a human heart by weight and studies suggest heart size correlates with athletic performance, long believed to be an indicator of talent in racehorses. While this is purely physical data, indeed-- the hearts of the therapy horses are immeasurably large and giving in a more than just physical way. Camille has such a benevolent heart that has the power to heal- as we have witnessed in the program for many of her riders. She uses her large heart to fill the holes in other's hearts with grace and humility.

One of our riders comes with a group of boys from an at-risk youth program for boys. This boy has all the typical bravado you would expect from a young man of his age, multiplied by his particular life experiences. His outward behavior shields and camouflages his more sensitive feelings. 3 years ago when he first met Camille he made the typical smart remarks about her appearance, typical commentary when one meets something out of the norm.

After his first lesson riding Camille all that changed. He realized that "who cares what she looks like, she is a special animal". He truly cares for Camille now and each week he whispers his inner most secrets into her ear. It is difficult to get him to leave at the end of his lesson because he needs to give her one more hug. There are many times that he would like to stand with her, groom her and tell her things meant only for her. "There is no secret so close as that between a rider and his horse" and with this young man and his Camille- that ancient quote rings triply true.

Another of our riders is a young girl with hearing loss caused by years of abuse when she was living with her natural parents. She is now in a loving home. She comes to ride a couple of times a month ever since the center opened. Camille is her mount. Every time she is here, she exclaims- Camille is her buddy and asks if Camille can come live in her bedroom. Again, the initial reaction to Camille’s appearance was one of unease, especially by her parents who held a stereotypical image in their minds of what a horse should look like. After observing how carefully Camille carries around her mount, allows for mistakes without getting worked up, and works her "magic" and opens her heart to her riders- the parents have decided Camille is the most beautiful horse ever in existence.

Due to Camille's "odd" appearance, she has the opportunity to teach in other ways by just being. We have a group from the Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation for teens. The mental health clinician collaborates in running the group lessons. She is a horse person, owning a few of her own. She had never seen a curly before and certainly nothing with the looks of Camille. Camille, naturally, was a first choice candidate for the therapy mounts in this instance~ Calm, loving, open, and safe. The clinician made a few comments about Camille’s lack of hair and funny looks. We ignored her initial judgemental commentary, knowing by the end of the lesson the clinician would see why Camille is so special. Sure enough, after all the riders left and we were discussing how the first lesson went, the clinician took back all she had said about Camille and learned a lesson of her own. Do not judge by appearance. Camille is the 4-legged reminder that underneath there is something special about everyone; not to form opinions based on looks, but instead on personality and ability. Be open to the inner beauty and gifts ~Don't we all need this gentle nudge in life ?

While we can go around proclaiming how not to judge by looks, get to know a person before you make opinions, etc; Camille teaches that just by being. When the lesson is learned visually and experientially, it has a much more lasting effect and more impact than when one merely hears the words. As does a picture take the place of a thousand words- Camille's presence is the living picture that teaches that.

In the end, this is what we want for all people~ to accept all for who and what they are and see the beauty that rests on the inside, waiting to be recognized, validated, accepted, nurtured and treasured. I know that I have and everyday I see riders and their caregivers/parents learn this through Camille and her magical ways.

Many horses are special, those used in the therapeutic program are especially special, and our Camille stands out as extra-ordinarily special ! She can create smiles like these !

They say that angels come in all disguises-- and Camille is Dream On Curls Riding Center’s own odd little angel.

"And now here is my secret, a very simple secret; it is only with the heart that one can see rightly, what is essential is invisible to the eye. " (Antoine De Saint Exupery)

Christmas update

We have had a busy few weeks. The weather has been fickle.. with a varied style of precipitation, snow, rain, ice. We had to do a lot of sanding to keep our driveway, parking area, and pathways safe. Then-- we had a 3 day snow storm which dumped a LOT of fluffy white flakes. As fast as we cleared the way-- more came down. Very beautiful once the job was finished.. but a lot of work. Then on Christmas Eve, a light rain and balmy temperatures reduced the snow considerably-- now today.. more sanding. Several weeks ago, we put down some new footing in the indoor. The dumptruck brought 14 yards at a time and it took about 14 or so trips with the tractor and bucket to transport the fill into the indoor. By the time the pile was indoors-- the truck was back with more. Then spreading it out, raking it and some dust reducer added-- more raking. It looks great- the horses love it and it's a good thing we did it when we did-- right after that day-- the weather turned very wintry.

It's a late greeting-- but Happy Holidays from Dream On Curls Riding Center !! and a big thank you for all of your support and to all of our riders ~

We have lots of goals for the New Year for programs and a scholarship fund. So stay tuned for news from Dream On Curls Riding Center ~

As we repeat often- Learning to horseback ride is more than just sitting on a horse. Riders need to understand and be in tune with their body, balance and coordination. Established riders are able to realize that small movements with their hips, pelvis, calves and feet send cues to the horse for different movements, steering and other forms of communication. Building on these skills not only improves body awareness, strength and flexibility but also helps improves an individual’s ability to have relationships and communication skills. Body language is the largest form of communication between two people. 80% of all “talking” is done this way. Often times when we are communicating with a friend, co-worker, or peer we temper what we say based on the language we interpret from another’s stance, the look on their face, hand gestures, or numerous other body language signs and expresions. For many, this skill is just there, we know how to do it without really knowing how we do it. For some—this ability is not well developed or missing entirely.

What does this have to do with horse back riding you might ask?

For those individuals who struggle with relationships, understanding cues from others, and in their ability to communicate their own needs~ they can learn through horseback riding without having the anxiety that a “person to person” exchange can bring. Since all communication with a horse is done through body language it allows the rider to learn about the small movements that encompass communication and expression. Working in the saddle or with a horse on the ground, participants begin to recognize how their stance, posture, attitude, and movements affect another. In their head, they may want the horse to do one thing but through their body they are giving a different cue and can’t figure out why the horse is reacting differently then they want. This is when the instructor steps in as the interpreter, assists with some hints or some cues or helps them problem solve what is working and what isn’t.

Relationships and communication are a two way street where both parties have to be invested in the outcome. This is so true with horseback riding. Just sitting up there without doing your part as the rider - the horse will go anywhere it wants and do whatever it wants. Some horses require more input from their rider than others and some horses are very in-tune with the rider. When the individual has “checked out” from the “relationship”, has disengaged or become distracted, the horse will take full advantage of the situation.

For an individual who needs to learn about being an active member of a relationship, we choose appropriate mounts that can deal with distracted and unfocused, detached riders. Some horses can never learn to adapt to a “detached” rider. Others try hard to detect the subtle nuances of their riders and accommodate. In order for this goal to be truly successful, it also commands an instructor who can teach riding skills AND understand the often difficult and very subtle steps in harmonizing relationships and inter-communication. The instructor also has to have a deep understanding of the disabilities and traumatic events that can contribute to an individual’s lack of understanding in these areas. But with the right combination of horse and instructor~ the learning opportunities are endless and have a lifelong affect both on and off the horse.

We are so fortunate to have a few of these VERY special therapy horses and they are all we could have hoped for. For us, Sudie Bee and her daughter Sweet Bee take their job seriously and teach relationship and communication skills very well. For these challenging situations- both Sudie Bee and her daughter Sweet Bee completely step up to the plate and give their all- helping to empower their riders in many ways !

Therapeutic Riding Horses are Special !

Being a good therapeutic lesson horse is more than just safely carrying the rider around in circles, either being led by the leader and accompanied by side-walkers, or guided by the rider. There are so many more reasons why a certain mount is chosen for a rider and just as many reasons why a therapy horse requires special care and attention.

Horses are not only screened based on size and temperament but also on movement. Some of our riders, due to their particular disability, require sensory stimulation. In that case, a horse is chosen that, at a walk provides a lot of movement to the hips, trunk and lower back to provide the rider the needed stimulation to relax and strengthen. Other riders become overwhelmed with large amounts of stimulation so they need a smoother horse, so as not to overload the system and send them into a shut down mode.

Depending on whether a rider has low or high muscle tone, a certain type of horse movement would be chosen. For someone with low muscle tone generally a horse with large motion would be too much for their body to physically handle. For someone with high muscle tone they would need a horse with a bigger rhythm of gait to begin to loosen and relax the muscles.
As a rider progresses their mount may change due to their changing abilities with their body in order to best meet their needs.

Riders with an attention disorder will, at times, need a horse that will challenge them. Putting these riders on a horse that has memorized the routine, the rider detaches and their attention wanders. Using a mount that will challenge them requires the rider to learn to stay focused in order to learn control and give them a place of concentrated activity.

Some of the participants in the therapeutic program are unable to ride but can still benefit from the sensory input of grooming a horse. A therapy horse must be accustomed to a wheelchair being parked very close so the groomer can brush, touch and smell the horse. Others are able to walk with mechanical aids such as crutches or walkers- again the horses must stand quietly when being approached by those who may walk with awkwardness and not be bothered by the odd noises and sounds of the aids.

These are just a few of the qualities we look for when matching our horses and our riders to reach a goal. In addition, our horses are asked to perform in a way that the average riding horse is not.

The therapy horse must always stand quietly regardless of the behaviors of their rider. Often the rider is clumsy when mounting, even with the help from the volunteers. They must remain steady at the mounting block, while many helpers surround them. Some disabled riders have a natural imbalance when astride their mount, some will move or bump in inappropriate ways. Some of our riders are non-verbal but do make lots of unusual noises- either vocalizing pleasure or anxieties. This can be stressful for some horses.

Therapy horses also need to have a strong bond and trust in the instructor and leaders. They are often given false body cues from a physically challenged rider. An individual with high muscle tone may be squeezing in to the horse existentially due to the tightness of their hips, thighs and calves- the cue to move faster for many horses, which the horse has to ignore, listening to the leaders instead. The rider may be unable to pull back on reins or verbally cue the horse. In these cases the horse looks to the leader and instructor for their cues in order to not do something wrong. This requires a greater than normal bond of trust and confidence on the part of the horse and handler.

Many of our riders have a detachment disorder and we find this is a definite stressor for the horses. They sense the lack of attachment and inter-relationship that would, in normal circumstance, take place between horse and rider/groomer. Horses are sensitive to their riders and look for relationship feedback. We, as the handlers, must be able to re-assure the horse in these situations. Horses must be chosen that can perform without the emotional connection they are used to and still “give” to the rider. This can be a tall order and not every therapy horse can deliver in this situation.

Therapy horses are asked to step up to the plate in many challenging ways. In return, they need special care and respect. We need to care for our lesson horses in ways that help them perform in ways that ordinary riding horses are not challenged. We look for ways to reward our lesson horses. Sometimes it may be a quick and refreshing trot down the road or on the trail. Sometimes they need a vacation from their “riders”. Our therapy horses are truly rare and remarkable animals and they deserve all the praise and rewards possible. We are so fortunate to have such a unique and wonderful group of horses well suited for this job of carrying their precious cargo. It is also incredibly special and noteworthy that all but one of the therapy horses at Dream On Curls Riding Center were bred, born, raised and trained here at our facility at Top O’ The Hill Farm !

It's a wonderful thing when we can create smiles like this ~ and it's really the horses that do it.. we just stand by and help a bit.

Since the start of our therapeutic riding program, the main group of lesson horses has stayed pretty much the same. They are an excellent choice for many reasons- Keri Orla, Lilly, Sudie Bee, Winter Dancer and Camille. This spring, Tall Trees Sassie was added to the group, as she is all done raising her colt and ready to get to "work". You can see most of the "group" here on the Dream On Curls web site.

Last week, we decided to add 2 new horses to the group- OYY Sweet Bee, a wonderful curly mare and OYY Pal's Job, an outstanding smooth coated gelding. Each of these new additions are perfectly suited to the program-- their size, their personality, their patience just a few of the pluses.

Sweet Bee was born here- out of Sudie Bee and Mead's Chocolate Chip. She was trained and sold.. recently we had the opportunity to bring her back to the farm. She's an awesome little mare- at a chunky 14.1 hh. As we brought her up to the indoor, it occurred to us-- she is a THIRD generation lesson horse !

Here she is as a newborn !

Her dam, Sudie Bee, is a much loved exemplary lesson horse, who carries riders of all levels of abilities.

Sudie's dam and Sweet Bee's grand-dam is Teena, a "grade" mare, meaning she had no known pedigree- but she was anything but grade, unless you classify her as Grade A-one ! Teena helped teach my own children how to ride and drive. We even used her to haul out logs and firewood on many occasion. When we began to give lessons, she was a natural choice as lesson mount. She is pictured here with one of her riders- at the time she was in her very late 20's. Sadly, Teena became quite old and with no teeth- we made the difficult decision to euthanize her at age 33. We still miss her- but her legacy continues with her many daughters. She has quite a few "children" and "grand-children", all of them inherited her remarkable qualities. She was surely a grand old mare.

Sweet Bee's first lesson with her happy rider ~ She lives up to her name - sweet ! Sweet Bee is a very versatile mare as she has competed in many shows and won lots of ribbons- she is a fun trail mount-- and the PERFECT therapy horse ! Just like her grand-mother and her mother.

OYY Pal's Job was also born and trained here. This fellow is also extremely versatile- a super driving horse, great steady trail mount, and lots of potential for shows. However- like Sweet Bee- he has earned his biggest awards as a therapy horse, with his quiet honest demeanor. His dam, Pal O' Mine, is a fabulous little pony- who has been used in lessons, but is not an American Curly. So far, Job has carried independent riders in the therapeutic program and riders with disabilities that require leaders and side-walkers. He is the model lesson horse- suited for both situations.

Job and another smiling rider.

We are very proud of our lesson horses- most of them bred and trained at Top O' The Hill Farm. They all have a challenging and special job and always are ready to rise to the occasion !

Enjoy your day ~