I am amazed at the amount of patience it takes to be a good therapeutic riding instructor. I have learned a lot over the years watching how Aaron’s instructors have calmly worked through issues with both Aaron and his horse. This is one of the great benefits of therapeutic riding that you won’t find explained on a brochure.

When things are not going well it is extremely difficult as a parent sitting on the side-lines not to jump in and try to get involved. I have learned over time to resist the temptation and let the instructors handle it in their own way. In fact, I have learned many valuable lessons by observing how his instructors work through problems. As someone who was not born with an abundance of patience these lessons have been invaluable to me.

What I have come to believe is that people who work with horses have special skills that translate well into dealing with people with Autism. Horses, even well trained horses, need constant direction, correction, re-focusing, pushing, coaxing, and cajoling. But, all of this needs to be done in a calm and deliberate manner. The trainer must constantly read the horse and make adjustments based on what is working or not working.

This video provides a great example of what I am talking about. Kathleen Emerson talks about how her daughter conquered her challenges with the help of the instructors at Winslow Therapeutic Riding. The key was having the patience to let Hannah work through the process.

Through their patience and persistence the instructors “honored Hannah as a human being and not as a damaged human being”.