Horsing around – from fear to friendship!
The children and residents from the Rachawadee and Thanksgiving Homes were happily introduced to an equine event last Thursday when they visited the Little Bit Horse Club. These kids who are mentally & developmentally slow , overcame various fears — of animals, of letting go, of a new experience, a new challenge — all in one morning of horse-riding! Some of them welcomed the experience and quickly got up close and personal with their new friends – Pocky, Casper and Roti. Nong Ngan though, a little boy with cerebral palsy, was very apprehensive and stayed clear of the horses — not even daring to touch it when carried close.
The transformation began after he went for several rounds on Pocky. By the time he got off, he was asking to have another ride. Khun Meow, the owner of the Club, sweetly arranged for him to take another ride at the end of the session — and this time, he confidently sat through all the exercises by himself, with just one trainer leading the horse. Nong Ngan was beaming — smiling and laughing as he went through the different paces.
Trainer Jo arranged the exercises accordingly, with simple trots, stepping over bars, riding behind the saddle, riding backwards, ball-dropping while riding…all appropriate for the different physical limitations of the kids. Just like our previous event, we then stretched everyone with sack races and the fun of ‘Pin the tail’ — in this case, the kids had more fun fooling each other and directing them to the stables or to others instead of to the drawn horse. After this, the kids were given carrots to feed the horses.
After being coached and convinced that the horses will not bite off their hands, several of the kids quickly gathered handful of carrots to feed the horses. After the scrumptious lunch which Khun Teem,from the Home put together, Khun Meow gave the kids a big box of toys which was donated by one of the young Club riders. As if it wasn’t already such an eventful and memorable day, with the gifts and donations to the Home, the Little Bit Club did more than their bit to add the cherry on the cake!
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