Following a recent Operation Roundup donation to The Right Path Riding Academy, the organization shared the story of one of their students, Rosa. Rosa is a 5-year-old girl on the autism spectrum.
Before starting at the academy, she had little to no connection toward the humans in her life. She created patterns to self-sooth, and she would repeat the patterns over and over. Rosa sought sensory stimulus through touch, and loved the feel and sounds of running water.
Right Path Executive Director Leslie Kirkland said, “Our experience as instructors has shown us how valuable the horse smell, feel, gentle breathing movements can be for sensory dysfunctional children.”
“We devised a plan involving water in an attempt to draw her near to Velvet, the miniature pony,” Kirkland said. “The plan worked, and as you can see by the picture, Rosa found much comfort as she wrapped herself around Velvet.”
Velvet became the motivator for Rosa to attempt interaction with humans. Eventually she let the instructors lift her on and off of Velvet’s back and would interact with the instructors so she could spend time with Velvet.
These interactions were once a week for 10 weeks, during the fall semester of 2023.
Rosa returned to the barn on February 7, 2024, for spring semester and another 10 weeks. Before classes started, instructor's goal for Rosa was to be able to wear a helmet when mounted on Velvet.
Here’s what happened:
Week 1 - Rosa was barely able to tolerate a helmet on her head for 3 seconds before she became significantly agitated. Rosa was lifted onto the mini horse and exposed to her helmet numerous times during her class. This was done in a rhythmic process and while singing her favorite song, the instructor rotated the helmet from head to head… Velvet, instructor, Rosa, repeat.
Week 2- The instructors added a pre-mount structured routine. For five minutes before she starts playing with Velvet, Rosa plays with her favorite sensory experience, water. During her mount time, Rosa was lifted onto the mini horse as usual, and her agitation began at just the sight of the helmet. With patience and repetition similar to the previous week, and the addition of trotting 8 steps as a reward for wearing the helmet, Rosa was able to handle 5 seconds at a time.
Week 3 – The pre-mount routine continued, and Rosa was lifted onto Velvet successfully. After a few rhythmic helmet routines, Rosa was able to tolerate longer exposure while Velvet was walking, but not when halted. The sensory input from the walking movement of the horse was invaluable. Also noted was Rosa’s desire to ride leaning forward on Velvet’s neck as she walked, a strong sensory experience.
Week 4 - HUGE LEAP FORWARD… Rosa carried her helmet in her hand while transitioning to the arena. She lifted her leg, showing her readiness to be lifted onto Velvet. After two minutes of riding at the walk, Rosa allowed her helmet to be put on and she kept it on for the rest of the class and even after dismount, without any agitation. Now she was ready to learn!
Week 5 - Rosa’s mom said,
“Only on Wednesday’s, when I tell Rosa that she will be going to the barn to ride Velvet, does she allow me to brush and braid her hair without crying and fussing.”
“Rosa’s mom is beyond thrilled as she witnesses the positive changes in her child’s behavior,” Kirkland said. “Mom has two younger children affected with sensory processing disorder that she hopes to have in our program in the future.”
Since East Central Electric Cooperative started the Operation Roundup program in 2006, encouraging co-op members to round up the change on their electric bills, the foundation has been able to donate over $2.5 million to non-profit organizations, college scholarships, and individuals in need. The Right Path Riding Academy has received $23,333 in co-op member supported grants since 2006.