Help with locating a barn for lessons?

[ivy62]

deleted

[Heineken]

The Potomac Horse Center does some stuff for kids with "issues". Try there, they may even be able to help with the Western stuff.

[JinxyFish313]

How old is he and what kind of issues does he have?

[ivy62]

deleted

[Heineken]

Honestly, I'm not sure making a horse the recipient of this young man's lack of compassion is fair to the animal. That's an issue that needs to be worked out with a therapist first before you send him to clunk around on the back of an animal he thinks is a machine. I take back my suggestion.

[JinxyFish313]

Yeah, sounds like a pretty terrible idea to me.

[MIKES MCS]

How about boot camp first then riding lessons for a reward..

[ivy62]

So I guess the autistic child that has not only no comapssion or anything should be kept off a horse too...Sorry I asked. He had a dog and loved her but he has had issues since..He is not mean at all just kinda cold...

[Heineken]

Autism is VERY DIFFERENT than "issues". I'm an educator. You were not clear. That said, he needs to be in a specific program for autistic kids and horses, not at a regular lesson barn. The horses that work with kids like that are literally bomb proof because you never know what an autistic kid might do. If you had been clear in the first place we wouldn't have been snarky.

[ivy62]

I never said he was autistic. I have seen that compassion can and should be taught with animals. He is a lazy kid with respect issues and kinda cold. Animals tend to bring out the kindness in most people..
He has had therapy and this was suggested, so I would think a board certified therapist/doctor should hopefully know what they are thinking. Honestly, I think if he just spent some time learning how to brush and take a little care and get a pony ride he would be fine. He would never hurt an animal but needs the caring side to come out. I do not know what kind of an educator you are but I am in medicine and have seen animals do more for some patients then any human could... Thank you pet therapy...

[jn4jenny]

I never said he was autistic. I have seen that compassion can and should be taught with animals. He is a lazy kid with respect issues and kinda cold. Animals tend to bring out the kindness in most people..
He has had therapy and this was suggested, so I would think a board certified therapist/doctor should hopefully know what they are thinking. Honestly, I think if he just spent some time learning how to brush and take a little care and get a pony ride he would be fine. He would never hurt an animal but needs the caring side to come out. I do not know what kind of an educator you are but I am in medicine and have seen animals do more for some patients then any human could... Thank you pet therapy...

The point still stands that he would need very close supervision, and a very special well-trained horse, to tolerate his issues (whatever they may be--I did not see your earlier posts before they were deleted). Try finding someone through the American Hippotherapy Association. http://www.americanhippotherapyassociation.org/

ETA when I volunteered with a hippotherapist, she was often more successful than the NARHA programs in justifying insurance claims for hippotherapy as "legitimate" behavioral or occupational therapy. Since most AHA therapists are licensed practitioners, sometimes they have more luck in those departments. Sometimes there is overlap since AHA hippotherapists may also work for a NARHA program.

[JinxyFish313]

Unless the board certified therapist/doctor is a horseman, he might not know what getting a compassionless kid into horses involves.

[MIKES MCS]

OK so you needed to clarify the special needs issue .. In 1972 I was involved in creating a pilot program in New York that addressed all sorts of special needs students INCLUDING autism. If he has emotional issues, YES a program with horses can help , I suggest you contact a therapeutic riding center , they are not just for physically handicapped students. If he has been diagnosed with a detachment disorder or ADHD , these are specific issues and an equine therapist can create a specific program geared to his needs and goals. You gave an impression that he was your basic 11 year old brat in need of Nanny 911 not a horse therapy program. BUT if this is behavioral problem , than a program such as a boot camp may better address the childs and parents needs . A child at age 11 didn’t create behavior issues by itself , and no barn experience is going to correct those issues once the kid comes home from the barn . Riding instructors aren’t therapists and should not be expected to FIX a parental deficiency. It’s unfair for parents to expect this and MANY times that is exactly what they do. Unfortunately I have had students put into a program for behavioral reasons without disclosing the issues first , the parents just expect the instructor is going to be able to work with their dysfunctional kid and miraculously cure all their problems with a pony ride. If that’s to harsh for you to hear, than don’t come to a chat board filled with horse people who’s mantra is the horses come first.

[ivy62]

Ya know all that was suggested was that he spend some time with the horse and see if he enjoys it and it may help him soften up a little bit...
Forget it and I am sorry that I asked on this forum...I do not want to get into it with you guys about a situation you only know a little bit about and I do not intend on clogging up this board with facts about children..
I am going to ask the moderator to delete the entire thing and go somewhere, where people might understand...hope none of you have children! :-(

[MIKES MCS]

"I have seen that compassion can and should be taught with animals. He is a lazy kid with respect issues and kinda cold. Animals tend to bring out the kindness in most people..
He has had therapy and this was suggested, so I would think a board certified therapist/doctor should hopefully know what they are thinking. Honestly, I think if he just spent some time learning how to brush and take a little care and get a pony ride he would be fine. "

This is very interesting, the child is taken to a presumably Lisc Therapist , who's answer to the childs issues was to give him riding lessons.. Perhaps this "Therapist " is unaware that there are EXPERTS in Equine therapy.
If you truly wanted some help or direction in this matter you wouldn't be running from a topic you started... There has been some genuine suggestions , most regarding taking him to a specialized riding program. While connecting with animals can tap a compassionate side in humans, it can't CREATE compassion. It comes back to does the child have a mental / emotional deficiency , or a behavioral issue , and do you want to help or did you just come here to get an , “oh that’s too bad , poor kid” reaction . Animal therapy is a wonderful tool , but it is usually administered by professionals . I speak from experience and know all to well what can happen when well meaning ordinary trainers take on special needs students , the consequences can be very destructive