THE REINS OF LIFE

Horses at Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center make dreams come true—whether through everyday lessons or by fostering Olympic aspirations—with help from Purina Animal Nutrition.

Horses provide education, rehabilitation and exhilaration for children and adults from all walks of life. Equineassisted activities and therapies (EAAT) come in many forms. These can range from equine courses for nurses, inmates and professionals that teach compassion and body language awareness to helping the many levels of disabled humans navigate life in a world that often isn’t compassionate or understanding.

Enter the horse as a facilitator, partner, friend and mentor.

Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center staff often receive calls from individuals offering to donate a much-loved horse to the therapeutic program based in Loxahatchee, Florida.

“People often think that horses that work in a therapeutic situation do not need to be fit,” said Susan Guinan, chief operating officer at Vinceremos. “But that is so far from the truth. Therapeutic horses are carrying riders often with poor balance, low core strength and problems with coordination. They need to balance themselves and the rider, much like a parent giving a piggyback ride to a wiggly child. Physical strength, a good attitude and patience are only possible when a horse is fit physically and mentally. That is only possible with good nutrition and condition.”

The staff of Vinceremos, like many other equine professionals, depend on Purina Animal Nutrition to help them maintain their stable of therapeutic horses as individuals, each with an important job. “The horses used for therapeutic purposes have unique demands that are different from a traditional training program,” explained

Shiela Conde, the local Purina rep who works with Vinceremos. “A great horse in this job is aware of everything, and in a sense internalizes the stress and worries of the human partners they work with. It is essential for us to monitor each horse’s body condition and individual needs in these programs. These horses are incredible partners, and often their needs change.”

Kelly Vineyard, PhD, a senior equine nutritionist with Purina, added, “There is really no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to feeding a therapy horse. Because good therapy horses come in all breeds, ages, shapes and sizes, tailoring a nutrition program to their individual needs is key for maintaining good health and longevity. However, many programs may have multiple volunteers feeding horses, so having a simplified feeding program is also important.”

Vinceremos is a PATH International Premier Accredited organization that has been designated as a Center of Excellence by US Equestrian (USEF). Their horses are often used for local and state Special Olympics games, and two horses in the center’s 37-year history have been used as Paralympian partners.

I saw a child born into strife Take up and hold the reins of life.

—from the John Anthony Davis poem “I Saw a Child”

Vinceremos provided horses for two Paralympians from Finland in 2012. “These young ladies needed to qualify for the opportunity to compete in London,” said Guinan. “Their chance to do that was at a competition in the U.S., but the cost of transporting their horses made it impossible. So they called Vinceremos, and we were able to provide them with horses.”

The facility’s staff members are currently working with two riders who have set their sights on competing as Paralympians with dreams of representing the U.S. in a future Paralympic Games.

Vinceremos has been the training center for Special Olympics equestrians in Palm Beach County, Florida, for 35 years. “We hold the county competition at our facility each year,” said Guinan. “Vinceremos also hosts the Special Olympics Area Equestrian Games each year, when 100 riders from five counties come together to vie for a place at the annual state Special Olympics. These riders all have a cognitive disability, and most have the additional challenge of a physical disability. But they all work hard to earn their places on the team, and they love their horses.” Purina believes every horse is extraordinary. Learn more at purinamills.com/horse.