ednesday • October 8, 1997
Lifestyles
indents with disabilities ride high at A&M Horsemen clinic
ason is paralyzed from the neck down. He can
control only one muscle in his neck. Jason is also
mute and communicates using this single mus-
. Despite these obstacles, Jason has the opportu-
to ride horses through the help of the Texas A&M
Ibrsemen Association.
3n Sunday, Oct. 5, the Horsemen Association hosted
Special Students Riding Clinic at Freeman Arena.
They offer free riding services to handicapped stu-
. ents from pre-kindergarten to high school. Fliers are
' i out to local schools to advertise the clinic.
The event has grown from two participants at its in-
eption in 1972 to 15 participants this past weekend.
JAn average of 40 people volunteered for the clinic,
^hany of whom are members of the Horsemen Asso-
iation. Numerous volunteers have experience work-
ig with handicap children from YMCA camps, and
y have life-saving skills.
Shannon Castle, chair of the riding clinic and a ju-
r animal science major, said she has been involved
the clinic since she was a freshman and looks
ard to this event every year.
“This is one of the most rewarding events because
are helping the public,” Castle said. “The parents
very supportive, and the children are enthusiastic.”
Castle said the volunteers generously give their
time to this event.
“The volunteers know what they are dealing with
and they have no reservations,” Castle said. “They
know this is a special situation which requires sensi
tivity. I am very confident because this is the best
crowd of helpers.”
Three volunteers supervise each child as they ride
the horse. If a child does not have the strength in their
legs to stay on the horse, then one volunteer rides
with them.
Only experienced riders are allowed to ride with
the children. They use the calmest and quietest hors
es for the rides.
The children are able to ride through obstacle cours
es, participate in races and run barrels. At the end of the
event the children all receive ribbons and awards.
Jarah Redwine, president of the Horsemen Associ
ation and a senior agricultural engineering major,
said the clinic allows the children to feel in control.
“Some of the students cannot walk, so this is a
chance for them to propel themselves and control the
animal,” Redwine said. “It is a strong feeling for me to
be on a horse, it must be great for them.”
Redwine said a special bond develops between the
children and the horses they ride.
“One student came asking for a particular horse,”
Redwine said. “The student’s mom said that some
times he cannot remember which school he goes to,
but he always remembers what horse he has ridden.”
Judy Pratt, whose son Tim has Down’s Syndrome,
said Tim has been able to diversify his experiences
through the clinic.
“Four years ago, Tim got his first letter through his
school,” Pratt said. “So we came out and signed up
u One student came asking for a
particular horse. The students mom said
that sometimes he cannot remember which
school he goes to, but he always remembers
what horse he has ridden.”
Jarah Redwine
President of the Horsemen Association
and senior agricultural engineering major
and had that Polaroid moment.
“Tim had a ball. I went home with a big smile on
my face because it was so very nice.”
Pratt said her children are crazy about horses. They
were initially exposed to them through their grand
father who used to have horses.
Pratt said the interaction Tim has with the horses
gives him a feeling of pride.
“This is something special for him,” Pratt said. “It
gives Tim something that he feels is just his. It is the
sort of thing that helps him felelike he is a part of the
community.
“He gets off the horse walking ten feet tall, and
then he is able to go back to school and tell the kids,
T got to ride a horse this weekend.’”
Pratt said this clinic is unique because sometimes
children with special needs have difficulty fitting into
certain situations.
“A parent had seen Tim throwing a ball and want
ed Tim to be on his baseball team,” Pratt said. “But
then you run into other children. If they look at Tim
strange and call him names, then I am not going to
tolerate that. Some kids do not know kids with spe
cial needs, so they treat him differently.
“Kids with Down’s [Syndrome] already have to deal
with a lot. He feels the comments. It makes him very
upset. The smaller they are, the less it affects them, but
as they grow, no one wants to be known as stupid.”
Pratt said the Horsemen Association helps her as
much as it helps Tim.
“It has been difficult, and it is never easy for a sin
gle mom,” Pratt said. “That is one of the things that
has made me appreciate this event.
“It is an extended family. They do not treat you like
a stranger, but like you are a part of the family. It is im
portant for the children to feel important and have all
these people talk to them.”
ie
Elections Ain't Over Yet!
Vote in Run-off Elections
und flying in
less at Pronin
e forging 3fc'
s to deliver ft 1
a big woriif''
ovember aid ;
re actively rff'
if:
neeriny
ipport Admii^ 1
igineer
ilyst
ammer
gineer
iance^
alyst
based in Sant
iuperb housin;
aetitivesalaid
on campus. :
Code: TAW. ;
(619) 67T
s. EOE.
[
2001 President
Craig Woods
Ben Joseph Armenta
2001 Vice-President
Brian J. Youngblood
Amber Giles
2001 Treasurer
Brandon Schlaffer
Mark Lowery
2001 Secretary
Melissa Diane Ramer
LeaAnne Heath
2001 Social Secretary
Brian Schlaffer
Carrie Moore
2001 Historian
Wesley Stobaugh
Elizabeth Boyd
VOTE
TODAY
8 AM - 6 PM
MSC, Evans Library,
Commons, Rec Center,
Wehner, Kleberg, Duncan,
Zachry, Underground, Blocker