IN THE SADDLE
Bringing joy to people with disabilities
FOUR dynamic women have put their heads together to create a therapeutic horse-riding centre near Port Alfred for children and adults with physical, cognitive and psychological disabilities.
Although the Healing Horses centre is still in its planning and fundraising phase, its director, Jann Webb, says it will be up and running by early June, come what may.
Webb, who also owns the popular beach trail riding centre, the Three Sisters Horse Trails, about 15km outside Port Alfred, has the ideal beachfront property, appropriately trained horses, and stalwart support in the form of her daughter Jess, qualified coach Sheena Ferguson and two volunteers, Beth du Toit and Tamsin Mbatcha-Bouwer.
It is a formidable team. Webb and Jess have, in one way or another, been involved with horses for most of their lives. Du Toit is an experienced rider and is passionate about assisting people, particularly with psychological disabilities. Ferguson is a highly qualified Rider Develops Abilities (RDA) coach, who obtained her qualifications and taught riding to people with disabilities in Australia for many years.
But it is Mbatcha-Bouwer who is the star of the show, if only because she knows firsthand just how important horses can be to people with disabilities. Born prematurely and with cerebral palsy, her foster-mom, Glenda Bouwer, was told she had little chance of walking. A determined Bouwer thought otherwise. Aged just five, the little girl was already leading other children around on horseback. Her dysfunctional leg muscles gained tone and, with that, she gained partial use. She also began to ride and became a robust competitor against children her own age and older. Aged just 16, she qualified to ride in the dressage event at the 2016 Paralympics for South Africa.
The young para-equestrian travelled with her fellow Paralympic contender, Shani de Beer, to Europe, where she was based with South African para-equestrian Phillipa Johnson-Dwyer to learn the ropes. Based in Belgium, she travelled all over Europe to compete. She achieved the minimum eligibility score for the Rio Paralympic Games. She was selected as a reserve rider. Her experience motivated her to do more for others.
Ferguson says interacting with and riding empathetic horses has enormous benefits for all people, but particularly people with disabilities.
“It improves strength, agility, co-ordination, spatial awareness and concentration. It develops listening skills, empathy, friendships and social skills.”
Best of all, she says, it is plain old-fashioned good fun.
Webb says assisting people with disabilities to experience the freedom and joy of horses has been a long-term dream of hers.
That dream became realisable due to a series of coincidences.
Ferguson, who is back to South Africa for personal reasons for at least a year, was keen to user her vast knowledge to assist. Both Du Toit and Mbatcha-Bouwer were also ready to put their collective shoulders to the wheel when they heard of the nascent project.
A long road lies ahead. Webb is working towards her own teaching qualification. Fundraising for specialist equipment, as well as the necessary feed and care for the horses is also under way.
“We are looking for anyone who can sponsor lessons, horse care, equipment. Anything really.”
But they are not waiting for sponsorship. Healing Horses will start with therapeutic riding lessons on June 1.