The La Ronge Elks Fair Grounds are used for equine therapy sessions. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

healing horses

Equine therapy enhanced thanks to donation of special saddle

Jun 10, 2019 | 12:01 PM

A donation of a therapy saddle by La Ronge Elks and the Children North Early Childhood Intervention Program will be a benefit to residents with cognitive or physical disabilities.

Tina Johnson of Alicorn Farm, 20 kilometers south of Air Ronge on Highway 2, has been offering an assisted equine learning program for several years, but this spring marked the first time she’s had access to a therapy saddle. Johnson stated Children North Executive Director Daina Lapworth approached her about the idea of purchasing a saddle, which costs about $4,000, and she later also contacted La Ronge Elks to see if they could help out.

“It’s definitely a little safer because it’s got more stability,” Johnson said. “There is less of a chance of them slipping out of the saddle on this one. As they progress and get stronger in their riding, we can take the saddle away. Ultimately, when you do therapeutic riding, you want to have that one-on-one contact, so you wouldn’t have a saddle.”

To be specific, it is an altered-English saddle with Velcro on the sides to secure the legs, as well as a special handle in front to hold on to. It also has an extra-deep seat to assist with balance and is made from softer materials compared to regular saddles. Johnson noted once clients in the assisted-learning program are familiar with riding a horse using the new saddle, they can then use a surcingle afterwards to maximize the benefits.

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In recent weeks, clients with Northsask Special Needs (NSN) have been participating in the program. Johnson stated for those with physical disabilities, riding a horse helps to build core muscles, as well as exercise the back, legs and thighs. It also improves balance and posture, especially for children with tactile issues. For those with cognitive disabilities, she added it can also assist with speech development.

“If they decide they really enjoy riding, we encourage them to talk to the horses as we’re going,” Johnson said. “We’ll ask them to give the horses queues like what you say to make them walk, what you say to make them stop. It encourages them to talk. Therapeutic riding is wonderful for kids who have autism and down syndrome.”

Tina Johnson secures a helmet on a program participant. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

According to NSN Executive Director Deri Ann Ratt, the assisted learning program has been popular with clients as the number who want to participate has doubled in three years. Every spring, she said they are eager for the sessions to start again.

“The equine therapy is wonderful, and they all enjoy it and look forward to every Thursday,” Ratt said.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno