Commentary Horses bring peace and purpose to riders who cast aside crutches and caregivers

Commentary
Horses bring peace and purpose to riders who cast aside crutches and caregivers



If you follow the tree-lined, unpaved Martin Road in New Scotland to its end, and walk down to the bottom of the hill at the base of the Helderbergs, you’ll find horses, laughing students, and friendly faces. For 25 years, the Albany Therapeutic Riding Center has been nestled into our collective backyard, drawing riders from all over the Capital Region, and volunteers of all ages.

As a longtime volunteer and board member for the riding center, I’ve seen the peace that settles over the riders, who leave caregivers and crutches behind as they guide their horses away from the mounting ramp. Atop a horse, the riders experience freedom of movement and the thrill of sport, with the help of volunteers who accompany them.

The riding center serves children and adults who have emotional, physical, or mental disabilities. Instructor Chris Lehman has shared her passion for horses and riders since she began the center a quarter-century ago.

Lehman is different from other instructors I have worked with at this and another center. Each center was accredited by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association, called NARHA. Other instructors love horses, and share their love for horses with willing students. Lehman loves horses, but the drive that has kept the riding center going for so long involves her long-term commitment to, and interest in, the individual riders and the benefits they derive from her lessons.

Becky Anthony, 20, has been riding with Lehman for 10 years.
"She enjoys it," said Becky’s mother, Rachelle Anthony. "It’s good exercise. In a world for Becky that is out of control with her seizures"when she’s riding that horse, she’s deciding whether to turn left. Chris builds a lot of choice into it."

Anthony said that the lessons build physical strength, as Becky reaches for objects while maintaining her balance on her horse. Lehman’s lessons incorporate calming background music with games riders play on horseback. For example, riders may direct their horse through a maze of traffic cones to place a ball in a mailbox set at saddle height on the other side of the arena.
"It helps a variety of students in a variety of ways," Lehman said.
"Becky has such a great feeling, a positive energy, after she leaves Chris that carries her through her week. It really helps with her emotional well-being. I’ve seen such a difference since the riding lessons," Anthony said.
"I like to see the joy on the students’ faces when they’re out here doing their lessons," said volunteer Linda Masullo. "It’s something they look forward to all week."

Volunteers at the riding center walk beside the riders, helping them, if necessary, to maintain their balance. They also lead the horses with lead ropes. Each rider requires two to three volunteers.

Like neighboring farmers, Lehman watches the Weather Channel constantly to arrange the riding schedule.
"Without an indoor arena, you are very much open to the weather," she said. Rain or ice that might not bother other riders make the sport too dangerous for riders with disabilities who are accompanied by volunteers on the ground. Weather affects riders’ ability to travel from across the region, also. When bad weather threatens, riders and volunteers wait for a call.

Volunteer Brenda Tompkins helps make the several calls each day through bad weather seasons. If no call comes, volunteers and riders set out for the riding center and spend an hour enjoying the horses, the fresh air, and each other.

The need for volunteers is chronic. Michelle Bub, a graduating senior from Bethlehem High School, started volunteering last year because of her school’s community-service requirement. She quickly finished her 20 hours by December last year, but she’s stayed on and logged many more.
"I’ve always loved horses, and I have a couple cousins who have disabilities," Bub said. She volunteers as a side walker with Becky.

Quinn Tompkins leads Becky on Tugboat Teddy, called Teddy for short. Tompkins is a graduating senior from Voorheesville.
"I like horses. I have two miniature horses," Tompkins said. She has volunteered since she turned 14, the minimum age required for riding-center volunteers. Tompkins will attend Smith College in Massachusetts in the fall. Bub will attend Geneseo.

Summer vacations loom, and a longtime adult volunteer is also moving away. Lehman is facing her busiest riding season with a loss of volunteers.
"I’m optimistic about it," Lehman said.

Volunteer Jennifer Hamilton contributes to the optimism. Hamilton is the board’s treasurer, and a constant help during lessons and daily animal care.

The riding center hires a part-time worker for heavy farm work, but the rest of the operation is completely volunteer. Lehman runs a petting zoo — for hire out, only — with some of the other animals housed at the riding center. Caring for all of them takes up to two hours at a time, twice a day, and often longer during the winter when snow, ice, and cold challenge the volunteers.
"Funding has always been an issue, but she does well with what she has," Anthony said about Lehman. Lessons cost about $20, but Lehman offers adjusted rates so that students are not turned away. Volunteers are always needed to help with riding center fund-raisers, and new board members with fund-raising skills are welcome.

Asked if she would offer therapeutic riding lessons for another 25 years, Lehman did not hesitate.
"Yeah. Of course, I am. I’ll be wheeling my wheelchair down," Lehman said. The volunteers gathered around her laughed and said they would have the horses ready for her.
"You hear that, Teddy"" Lehman called. "Another 25 years more of this."

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