Rider Stories

Behr loves to ride! When on his horse Sara or Lily he never stops smiling! One of his favorite words he has learned is “bumpy”. As soon as his horse moves faster, his giggle has the entire arena laughing.

His mom Kelly shares…

Behr (age 5) has a devastating disease called Lennox Gastaut Syndrome (LGS) that leaves him dealing with multiple daily seizures and pretty severe developmental delays. In April 2017, he had brain surgery to help with seizures that ultimately led to a stroke that left him paralyzed on his right side. We decided to have Behr start riding at Freedom Farm, initially to help strengthen that right side and his core muscles. We wanted him to have ‘physical’ therapy that was fun and motivating to him. When Behr started riding he was nonverbal and not using his right hand/arm at all. We did not consider that he may start talking (and more) as we were mainly concerned with regaining as much use as we could with his muscles and balance.

However, we quickly learned that horse therapy was going to provide motivation for much more than that!

The very first day that Behr sat up on Sara, his horse, and Susie asked him to say “walk on” his little voice made the “wa” sound. We had never heard that out of him until that moment. It seemed a miracle might already be taking place. As weeks progressed, Behr started saying more and more words, phenomenal for a child that was nonverbal for years. And that number is growing every day! Behr can now fully say “walk on” as well as “horse” “neigh” “go” and many more.

But can you imagine my astonishment when my little boy started counting just a couple days ago??? I had NO IDEA he could count. I was talking to one of my other children and I said ‘eight’. And then our little Behr’s sweet voice piped up and said “nine, ten”. We all looked at each other kind of shocked. So I said ‘one’ and Behr said “two” so I said ‘three’ and he said “four” … you get the picture. Then I thought hmmmm…

While he is riding, Susie has them stand in the stirrups and count, or let go of the reins and count, and now suddenly Behr counts… not a coincidence! He is learning so much and saying new things every single day.

We have seen extraordinary improvement in his balance and strength. He uses his right hand when brushing and petting his horse, and at home I am seeing him use his right hand a lot more. He uses it to help throw and catch a ball. To pull or break things apart and even to wipe his eyes after splashing in the tub. This was an arm he did not use even a year after the stroke and he is suddenly using it quite a bit. The doctors told us it never will be100%, but it’s starting to be functional and this is another miracle for us!

Behr is a true warrior all on his own and we’ve been blown away with the improvements he’s made since he started riding this year.

Truly thankful and blessed! 
Behr Vogelpohl Family

Laura has Microcephaly and has severe cognitive delay. She is completely nonverbal but when she gets on her horse, Stella, she doesn’t stop “talking”. You can see just how proud she is of herself when she is riding and she smiles the whole time!

Riding her favorite horse, Stella, also helps Laura’s muscles. Laura had surgery on both of her legs two years ago. She was very weak after spending 8 weeks in a hospital bed. Getting Laura back on her horse helped speed up her recovery.

Laura immediately gets so excited pulling into Freedom Farm. She can lead me right to where she is supposed to go. She LOVES to hear Susie talk and thinks she is the most hilarious person on the planet. Laura has made some very special friends at Freedom Farm. My favorite part of the session is watching them hug after they are done. It is so joyful.

Laura wouldn’t be able to participate in Therapeutic Horseback Riding if not for all the time the volunteers put in. She trusts her volunteers to keep her safe and I love to see her engaging with them. I am so thankful they give their time to this program so Laura can have these experiences. All the volunteers make Freedom Farm a welcoming place to walk into. You can feel the love when there.

Thank you to all who volunteer their time and those who give financial support to Freedom Farm. Freedom Farm is a remarkable place.

By Laura’s Mom, Nicole

Miranda was diagnosed at six months old with a Dandy Walker Cyst on her cerebellum, abnormal chromosomes, and thus, developmentally delayed. The doctor said she would not be able to sit, walk, or talk. Little did he know, Miranda is a very head strong girl.

She sat independently on her first birthday and chose to walk without her walker at the age of ten. Her speech can be difficult to understand, but that doesn’t stop her from talking to everyone.

She loves animals and we found that there can be physical rewards with therapeutic horseback riding. Horseback riding rhythmically moves her body in a manner similar to a walking gait. Since riding, Miranda has increased her balance, muscle control and strength. Miranda gets on her horse from the mounting ramp and can now bring her leg all the way over the horse without any help!

Riding has also increased her confidence and independence. Miranda loves to be challenged during her lessons and she is determined to one day ride without the help of her volunteers. With her increased confidence, she is the first to encourage and cheer on the other riders in her lesson. Her loving spirit fills the arena!

We interviewed other therapeutic horseback riding programs before choosing Freedom Farm in the spring of 2009. The decision was easy. Susie radiates love! Her attitude is positive and peaceful. Love energy is contagious and we knew that it would spread to her staff, volunteers, and even the horses. And we wanted Miranda to be a part of this. Our instincts were correct and we love Freedom Farm! The benefits go beyond the physical improvements.

Miranda loves it so much that she wants to live with Susie!

by Helen, Miranda’s mom.

Peter had a tough start to life, he and his twin brother Parker were born at 23 weeks gestation. His brother only survived for 9 days. Peter spent 194 days in the hospital growing and having multiple surgeries. Once he came home, he was in and out of doctor offices for eating, speech, OT, PT, and other therapies.

As Peter got older, we could tell he was getting sick of going to the doctor all the time. We knew he still needed therapy and that is when we found Susie and Freedom Farm. Freedom Farm has been an absolute Godsend for Peter and our family.

Peter, age 7, started riding at Freedom Farm in the spring of 2015. Riding once a week at Freedom Farm has taken Peter’s speech and confidence to new heights. When Peter started riding, he was very soft spoken, stuttering, and had basically no confidence in himself. After just 3 riding lessons he was no longer stuttering, is well spoken and has gained self-esteem. He tells us that he feels proud of himself. That is something we thought we would never hear.

The teachers at school say that Peter is a completely different kid than last year. He is contributing in class, making new friends and improving intellectually. Our family also can see the changes in Peter. Grandma says “I am not sure what is going on at Freedom Farm and that horse but whatever it is, we need to keep doing it.”

We still have work to do at Freedom Farm. Peter still struggles considerably with ADHD, anxiety, meticulousness behavior, and transitioning from one thing to the next. We can’t thank Susie and all the volunteers enough for the difference they have made in Peter’s life as well as our life as a family. Susie is one of the most loving people we have every met and she truly is vested in every rider at Freedom Farm to make sure these children can live the best quality and productive life that they are able to live.

by Patricia, Peter’s mom. 

When Isaac was 18 months old, we began to notice something was wrong with him developmentally that we had not noticed in the past. Isaac’s first words “mama” and “dada” were suddenly gone. He had no verbal communication except for crying or screaming. What was happening?

Isaac continued to become more aggressive and search for a physical outlet by pushing and hitting. Isaac was diagnosed with Autism at the age of 2 and began speech therapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy. We continued to seek treatment for Isaac as we noticed more struggles.

Because of Isaac’s sensory disorder, he is in food therapy to try to help him learn to eat. Food is a daily struggle, as well as self care (washing hands & baths) and dressing. Being Autistic, Isaac works daily on his personal relationships as well. He loves kids and adults and works hard at making friends and playing with other kids.

Isaac loves animals. His grandparents have sheep, cows, chickens and turkeys. We always knew Isaac loved horses and we were very excited to join Freedom Farm for therapy. The highlight of his week is to see his horse and his friends.

Isaac is working on focusing and listening to directions. He is learning how to be a friend, to take turns and to share. Isaac is learning how to stay calm when upset because, on his friend Echo, we need to be nice. Isaac loves horse therapy and it really calms his sensory system.

Freedom Farm is such a positive experience for our family. We had tried to let Isaac play soccer because he really wanted to run around with the other kids. Even though Isaac wants to just be like everyone else, it is hard. It is a sensory overload and he cries the whole time trying to participate with other kids.

At Freedom Farm, he is SUCCESSFUL. This is a big thing. He doesn’t feel like a failure. He is participating in an activity with kids which staff and volunteers make sure he is successful at and he has JOY and PRIDE in himself. I have so much joy in my heart watching my child be successful at something and developing self-esteem.

As a parent, you want your child to be able to participate in activities with other kids. At Freedom Farm ~ all the kids, no matter the age or disability, befriend and include each other.

by Nicole, Isaac’s mom