12.14.07

Special Little Girl with Horse Passion

Posted in Horses for the horse crazy at 8:04 pm by HorseGal

I have met so many special children and adults through my volunteer work with therapy riding and it is my honor and privilege to introduce you to one of them, a very special little girl named Abby. This is her story.

Abby is 4 1/2 years old and is one of Nora’s riders (see blog Horse and Horse Lover in Therapeutic Riding). Abby was diagnosed with Autism a little over a year ago at the age of 3 1/2. Mom Laura and Dad Shaun call Abby the bravest little trooper around. In her short life, Abby has already had two heart surgeries and one eye surgery.

Abby with her fan club looking on!

At first, Abby developed a little slower than the typical child, but she had language skills and great social skills up to the age of 15 months when she seemed to withdraw and lose the language that she had developed. Abby was also diagnosed with Chromosome Rearrangement and as far as they know, she is the only child in the world with this particular anomaly.

Basically, all the chromosome info is there, but placed differently. Abby’s mom says that Abby is a complex child with many sensory and tactile difficulties. She is hypersensitive to some things and hyposensitive to others. Little sister Caitlin is Abby’s best friend and vice versa and they are both so good for each other. In fact, Abby will sometimes imitate Caitlin.

Abby preparing to ride therapy horse Passion.

Horseback riding is a great release for Abby and she laughs and smiles as if she is having the time of her life! Abby rides Passion whom you met in my Horse and Horse Lover in Therapeutic Riding blog.

Abby rides Passion with leader and sidewalker, and dog helps out!

Passion is a sweet horse who loves to take Abby for rides in the ring and outside around the barn. Abby also swims and goes to school, so Abby is a very busy young lady!

Abby making eye contact while she rides, a rewarding moment!

Now Caitlin is also riding Passion, at only 2 years old!! We take her for about a 5-minute ride after big sis Abby is done and Caitlin just loves it. Look at her little hands in the pictures…! Already, she knows just how to hold the reins and she sits so nice and tall… she’s a natural!

2 year old little sister Caitlin has have her turn too!

Video of Caitlin riding Passion…

Caitlin, happy as a clam…

She even looks down for the stirrup to put her little foot in! Caitlin already loves riding and is always reaching for Nora to put her on Passion as soon she sees that her big sister is done with her ride!

Caitlin goes to Nora for her ride!

Abby is such a joy to be around. She has a loving family who all come to watch her ride Passion every week. Abby seems to love riding and she sometimes will respond to her family with a glance at them as they watch her and call out to her. Evidence of what the power of love and horses can do!

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