Posted on 04/13/2007 6:42:31 PM PDT by SandRat
Riding horses is part of the wild west charm of Southern Arizona.
But, for some local veterans, it's a way to get back in the saddle of life.
It's been a long, hard ride for retired Navy Airman, Rene Suarez. "I have arthritis in every joint in my body pretty much."
This time last year, he needed a cane just to walk. Now, thanks to weekly visits to Therapeutic Riding of Tucson, he no longer needs that cane.
Rene credits rides on Bisbee (the horse) for helping him gain strength, by stretching his legs and using muscles he wouldn't normally exercise.
"It's like getting a massage," said Rene.
Navy veteran Michael Rump also knows the release riding offers.
"As soon as your butt hits the saddle," says Michael, "you just go ahhhhh."
Michael suffered a brain aneurysm a few years ago and can't move his left side much at all.
Hopping on one of the beloved horses here keeps him loose and limber.
The veterans not only create friendships with the horses they ride as part of therapy, they also create friendships with one another.
Veteran Travis Tarwater says "We're always swapping sea stories and laughing while we are waiting to ride."
It costs $500 a semester to sponsor a veteran at Therapeutic Riding of Tucson.
If you'd like to donate to the non-profit group, you can call 749-2360.
I’m Back In the Saddle Again...,
That Gene Autry Song is needed here.
Out where a friend is a friend.
Where the long horn cattle roam
That’s the place that I call home
Back in the saddle again.
Ronald Reagan and Winston Churchill were both horsemen.
The stable where I train sponsors a therapeutic riding program and participates in the Special Olympics. My mare is one of the horses used in the program. She is an angel and treats those kids like antique china.
When we're out hunting or jumping cross country, she's a completely different critter. Horses know when somebody needs a little extra care.
We have a local program called C.A.N.T.E.R. that puts both mentally and physically challenged youth as well as adults on horse-back and it helps.
My horse and I have been a team for almost 8 years, she knows what I want to do almost before I know myself, and I know what she's thinking. Unless she's in a stroppy mood all I have to do is shift my weight from one hip to the other. Jumping her is almost uncanny, she has a very adjustable stride and all I have to do is think "short" or "long" and she compensates.
It's exhilarating and tremendous fun, I'm sure it would do anybody good, and the feeling of freedom if you're physically or mentally handicapped has to be great.
My “Indian name” is -Dragged by horses.....and I loe every minute of it.
I’m Dragged by Dogs . . . one on each arm!
That’s the way!!!!
“I’ve often said there’s nothing better for the inside of a man than the outside of a horse.” -Ronald Reagan.
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