Published: July 30, 2007 10:13 am      

Therapeutic riding may be the answer

Those of us with disabilities have a list of things we can and cannot do. We also have a list of things we think we cannot do, but with a little help, that list could get shorter and shorter.

One of the things we might be able to do is a ride a horse. Yes, ride a horse. A great big, majestic, “Wow, it’s great to feel the wind through my hair” and “Oh, how beautiful the countryside is as we gallop by” horse.

How? By taking a therapeutic riding course through the Therapeutic Equestrian Association of McAlester, aka TEAM.

It’s for people faced with physical, cognitive, behavioral, or emotional challenges.

The class will be taught this fall at the McAlester campus of Eastern Oklahoma State College. Volunteers to help teach the class and students are still needed.

Applications are now being accepted for the 12-week pilot program, which is slated to begin in September. “This event is where community support is so important,” said Darla Rider, the program’s interim director. “There are so many ways the community can lend a hand, from sponsoring individual riders to volunteering. There’s always something that can be done to keep this program moving.

“We really want to see this program gain community support and blossom. It has so much to offer. The ability to control a horse, as well as one’s own body and behavior, inspires self confidence, responsibility and teamwork.”

Ryder is a master level instructor in both Western and English Riding for the Able Bodied and Riders with Disabilities.

In 12 years she has trained more than 500 certified instructors. Ryder recently moved to Wister from Weatherford, Texas, where she directed a program that had more than 100 students each week.

Her job here in McAlester is to get the TEAM program started, train certified instructors, serve as interim director, assist the Association in identifying an individual who will serve as director, and continue to train individuals who have special challenges.

Planning meetings began in March, and a range of McAlester community members have been coming together with the goal of building a center for assisted therapeutic riding.

If you’re interested in being a part — whether through monetary donations, letting your land be used for those who are learning to ride, or actually helping to teach the class — there’s still time.

For more information or to enroll call: 916-3505, or Ryder, 655-6800; Kerry Selman, director in training of TEAM, 426-0233; Gene Walker, public information and steering committee member, 426-2119; or Barbara Gilbertson, EOSC and TEAM board member, 302-3642.

Contact Susan Brittingham at sbrittingham@mcalesternews.com.