Therapeutic Horseback Riding with Purpose
Dream Riders is a therapeutic horseback riding program designed especially for those with special needs. Jennifer Stoudemire, along with her family, was inspired to start it in October 1998. She serves as Program Director and Head Riding Instructor to this day. Her mom, Corky Dyer, is the Assistant Riding Instructor.
Located at Sunrise Farm in Lexington, SC, 15 riders participate in weekly lessons. Most lessons are group instruction, but there are limited individual lessons offered. The horse farm is open year-round, and over 1,000 hours of equine-assisted activities are held each year. The program serves students of varying ages from four years old to those in their seventies. There are six trained horses, two instructors, and various volunteers. Volunteers participate in orientation and training.
Both instructors are certified and have a genuine love of horses. Horses have always been a part of Stoudemire’s life. She took her first ride on a horse when she was about nine months old, riding in the saddle with her dad. When she was five years old, she began formal Hunt Seat lessons, competing a year later.
Stoudemire continued to ride horses. She graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Sociology and was a member of the USC Varsity Equestrian team. She said it was during her senior year of college that she felt a calling to combine her love of horses with a passion for people with special needs. Through the years, she had seen the difference horseback riding had on her brother’s special needs development. “All of the elements fell into place for Dream Riders to come alive,” Stoudemire said. “It was a beautiful day in October when the first therapeutic riding lesson took place with eight excited students.” A dream became a reality and continues to inspire decades later. And the beautiful days at Sunrise Farm continue with the help of an important person.
Her mom is an integral part of the program and has been involved since it began. She has spent a lifetime around horses. “Mom inspired the love of horses in our family,” Stoudemire said. “Horses have long since been an enjoyment of the family even for ‘Lew’, her special needs son, my brother.” Stoudemire said they call her the mom of Dream Riders. Dyer not only helps with the riders but also serves as a mentor to many of the riders’ parents.
“We feel like Dream Riders is our purpose in life and is powered by God,” Stoudemire said. “The change it makes in our participants’ lives confirms that what we do does make a difference, which in turn gives us more reason to continue.”
The two instructors have seen a lot of benefits and progress in the riders since the therapeutic riding program began nearly 27 years ago. Increased balance is one of the potential benefits. “The natural movement of a horse’s gait recreates human movement, so just sitting astride helps strengthen a person’s muscles,” she said. “The balance it requires to stay centered in the saddle enhances a person’s balance walking or sitting. Helping with the sensory system is another potential bonus. The movement of the horse activates the sensory system, which has a positive effect on people with autism and sensory integration disorders,” she continued. “We have seen participants progress from not being able to sit tall or centered for long periods of riding, to riding the full lesson while maintaining proper balance and posture. Between the movement of the horse, the interaction with the volunteers, and the lesson activities there, is an abundance of motivation for better focus and behaviors, increased speech, and use of motor skills.” Many of the horseback riders also gain a sense of independence while they meet goals and learn new skills. Some have competed in the Special Olympics.
Lessons involve more than riding a horse, allowing for plenty of interaction. “We have expanded our lesson format to include time for the participants to brush and lead their horse, along with a warm-up on our donated Equicizer, which is a mechanical horse that is non-motorized and controlled by the rider,” Stoudemire explained. “This has increased our riders’ physical strength, balance, and understanding of proper use of aids while riding. Adding the brushing and leading gives them the opportunity to connect with their horse and get in sync before they mount.”