The Horsey Set

Well, don't anyone panic, I haven't talked Gene into bankrupting ourselves with a stable or anything. Bean started her hippotherapy today (that's on horses, not hippos), and she *loved* it. Loved it. She started snuffling when she got off and I asked her if she wanted to get back on the horse. Huge grin and a giggle. This is one of those "alternative" therapies that I am firmly convinced is going to do wonders for her balance, strength, muscle tightness, etc, not to mention the emotional connection the patients seem to always develop with said horses. Bean rides a placid cream colored Fjord named Sebastian, who sports a zebra-striped Mohawk, and we had been talking about him the prior week to get her excited; she knew *exactly* what was going on when we arrived at the stable and I said, "oh, look, there is Sebastian all ready for you!". Wasn't able to snag a picture today, but I will try to get one up eventually. Just watching her straighten right up and hold onto the harness was enough to make me a little teary eyed, I admit it.

Don't you think we now need a pony?

My mom volunteered with a therapeutic riding stable for a couple of years, and I went out and worked the5re a few times -- it really does seem to do wonderful things for some kids. And they seem to *love it* -- reason enough to call it worthwhile! And who could blame them -- I rode for years myself, and loved it, and I'm sure it had lots of benefits for me, too, both physical and mental (and emotional).

Yes, buy a pony. It will be a fun addition to the menagerie and you can keep him in the garage.