April 9th 2013
Here is how the story goes…..Ever since Irene was working with me we have talked about horse therapy. You see, Papillo our neighbor, has been telling mom for a year now to put me on his Conejo. (conejo means rabbit in Spanish but conejo is really a horse!) I was never able to ride Conejo last year as we never had a moments chance as I was always in the hospital! So finally the time has come!!! 🙂 What is really neat is that Papillo has a grandson who has special needs and Choo has been riding Conejo ever since he was a little boy. Choo doesn’t speak like me but he can talk with his eyes! Conejo has the reputation around town of being the mildest, sweetest, most easy going Horse and I cant wait to get on him!
MariaJose was not trained in Equine Therapy(horse therapy) so mom and dad sent her to a program outside of San Jose where she went for two weekends and learned how to ride with special needs children. SHe learned many different techniques and enjoyed the class and the instructor! Once I had approval from my doctor I was ready to go and try out riding Conejo with Maria!! First Maria had to get to know Conejo. Papillo brought Conejo to my house and everyone had the chance to get to know him! Selva and Indio were not very impressed with having a horse around and barked a bit but they knew better than mess around! After Maria familiarized herself with Conejo, she brought him over to me. Right away we were very intrigued with one another. We just stared at each other and Malia took my hand and petted Conejo nose and I liked the way he felt. The first day was simply an introduction of Conejo to this crazy household! Conejo is going to fit right in!
The following week it was time for me to mount Conejo. Maria put me on Conejo and I did quite well. Maria told me that many kids the first time they are put on the horse they cry but I did not want to cry at all. I was quite happy being up there! Conejo has soft hair and he is very gentle. We hung out like that for awhile then Maria remembered my black neoprene suit that I use to help me sit better. So we changed me into that and then she laid me over Conejo’s tummy and we went for a very slow walk. After that we rode backwards which was neat and I did pretty good for the very first time. I began to get a little fussy and had to have my mommy hold me for a minute but I got back on and off we went. I was on Conejo for thirty minutes and for the first time I am feeling proud of myself and Maria! She did an excellent job balancing me and herself. The benefits of equine therapy is that it will improve my balance, muscle tone, and motor coordination. Being on top of Conejo stimulates my entire body. It is a great new therapy and I feel very privileged to be able to experience it. Papillo our neighbor has agreed to bring me Conejo once a week so that I can ride! I cant wait for the next time. Thanks Mom and Dad for doing this for me and thank you Maria Jose for being such a great therapist. You make me feel safe in your arms.
Happy trails,
Love Malia