Ride On equine therapy provides riding time with caring horses
When one hears “equine therapy,” images of a horse with glasses and a clipboard may come to mind, but that is not what it involves. Equine therapy is therapeutic for people going through medical struggles or people who just need a mental outlet. It involves riding, pampering and spending time with horses. Ride On Therapeutic Horsemanship has locations in Chatsworth, Newbury Park and Pasadena. Though Ride On works with those who struggle with cognitive and physical disabilities, several volunteers without disabilities join to be around horses to clear their minds.
Nellie Patsch, sophomore, has been volunteering with Ride On Therapeutic Horsemanship at the Rancho Potrero Community Equestrian Center in Newbury Park for three years. A typical day of equine therapy for Patsch involves prepping and taking care of the horses before they go on rides with patients. Patsch sees the connection between the horse and rider as powerful, even if it is non-verbal. “Just being able to have that connection with this animal just [opens] up a whole new realm of possibilities,” Patch said. Patsch admires the opportunity that equine therapy can give to those with disabilities. “You see people in wheelchairs who can’t walk, but they get to ride a horse and [it] kind of gives them their legs,” Patsch said.
Patsch’s volunteering with Ride On has evolved from her passion for horses, so she is familiar with what equine therapy involves. “Typically volunteers get the horses ready, clean their stalls, make sure the riders are ready and occasionally we’ll lead the horses during the lessons or sidewalk for the adaptive riding program,” Patsch said. “Come volunteer at Ride On, [equine therapy is] truly a rewarding and amazing experience.”
Elizabeth Wells, sophomore and former member of an equestrian drill team, spends her weekends volunteering at Ride On to reconnect with her days on the drill team and indulge in her love for horses. Wells finds spending time with all animals to be relaxing and therapeutic, especially horses. “I think just spending time with any animal, like dogs, cats and horses is really therapeutic, because they’re so calming and such innocent creatures,” Wells said.
To take a break from the pressures of school and socializing, Sophie Murry, sophomore, enjoys spending time at equine therapy. “It’s all new people, where you can be yourself, and you don’t have to worry about people judging you. And then once you finish your work, you [can] talk to people. Besides that, a lot of it is very individual when you’re getting your own horses so you have time with yourself,” Murry said.
Patsch would encourage anyone to volunteer at Ride On equine therapy, no matter their physical or mental state. “Horses are so beneficial just to even be around them because they really can pick up on your emotions and are just kind of like a big friend that will listen to you whenever you need it,” Patsch said.
