From Hesitant to Hopeful: George’s Strides at the Stables

Our son, George, now looks forward to his evenings at the West Wind Stables and his programming with Prairie Strides. Initially he was very hesitant about entering the big building, but he now gets excited at home when we tell him “It’s time to go see the horses” and he happily rushes into the barn when we get to the parking lot. Last time, George walked around the barn and even touched the noses of a couple of horses in their stables. Something, he never would have been comfortable doing prior to Prairie Strides. The regular exposure and friendly demeanor of the volunteers, director and the horses have made him much more comfortable.

We investigated Prairie Strides for George, because we had read/heard that equine therapy had the potential to be incredibly helpful in improving his quality of life across physical, cognitive, and emotional functioning.

Currently, George’s sessions involve grooming the horse and walking through the barn. These sessions, provide a safe, controlled opportunity to interact with horses in a way that is both therapeutic and educational. Our “big goal” is that in time, George will also be able to lead the horse and engage in horseback riding to further enhance communication, socialization, and physical development.



– Jen (George's Mom)