From Hesitant to Hopeful: George’s strides at the stables

ORIGINAL POST:  (July 22, 2025)

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 Muir (George's Mom)

UPDATE:  (November 2025)

Our son, George, continues to thrive in his evenings at West Wind Stables and his programming with Prairie Strides. When he first began, he was hesitant even to step inside the barn. Now he rushes in with excitement, eager to see the horses and begin his session.

Since starting, George has made remarkable progress. He has graduated from grooming the horses and walking through the barn to actually horseback riding – an achievement we once only hoped for. He has even begun giving the horses verbal cues, a wonderful reflection of his growing confidence and his deepening connection with the animals.

Looking ahead, we’re excited for George to continue building his skills. We’re hopeful that he will soon progress to longer durations of trotting, increase his independent handling of the reins, and develop greater balance as his comfort and abilities continue to grow.

As parents, we are incredibly proud of George and deeply grateful to Prairie Strides. The patience, encouragement, and expertise of the volunteers, staff, and horses have opened doors for him that we could only imagine before. Their support has made all the difference.

– Jen Muir & Jon Kilfoyle