our world
Horse lessons
If you walk around any horse show in the world, you’ ll hear riders talk about their teacher or trainer.
“ Who is your trainer?” is often answered with, I use so and so, but I used to use so and so … All riders have trainers, but at Vinceremos, the horses are the trainers; they are the teachers. The Vinceremos horses have been teaching riders in Palm Beach County for 35 years. These riders have physical, cognitive, or emotional disabilities and they learn equestrian skills, social skills, and life skills from their time spent with the horses.
But seriously, how are the horses the teachers?
A group of children with intellectual challenges arrives at the center every Tuesday morning from Okeeheelee Middle School. Most of them have never seen a real horse. Maybe they have seen one in a book or on TV, but they have never been toe to hoof or felt the warm breath of a horse on their neck. Their first visit is intimidating because these are some big animals! But the students quickly realize the horses are gentle, patient, and curious. Soon they start to reach out and touch the nose or the neck of their equine teacher. Through this, the students are learning trust. In a short period of time, they are brushing their teachers back and moving more freely around the horses. Through this, they are learning confidence. These horses are great teachers!
The military veterans arrive later in the day for their equine activities. These men and women have gone to war, fought for our freedom, and are now tormented by those experiences. After a few lessons at the farm they are less anxious or apprehensive. One gentleman grabs the grooming bucket and heads towards the big bay in the back stall.“ Where are you going?” we ask.“ I’ m going to see my yogi, Joey. He is teaching me to relax.” Joey stands quietly, breathing deeply. He is self-regulating and his relaxed manner teaches our soldier how to do the same, both at the farm and at home.
The other riders have tacked up their horses and are headed down to the arena for their lessons. They are leading their horses through an alley lined with straw bales. Sitting atop the bales on the right and the left are carrots and apples. As the first horse is led down the alley, he pulls his partner to the apples and then drags him to the carrots. The second team begins their walk down the path and the same thing happens: the student is dragged to the apples and then the carrots. Through this lesson, the horses are teaching the students the importance of avoiding temptations. They learn to spend their time in an environment that will keep them healthy. These horses are great teachers!
A mother stands at the rail watching her son ride his favorite pony. She knows this is her son’ s favorite pony because his smile is from ear to ear. The horse moves along with rhythmic cadence; the child is rocking back and forth. This rocking motion builds core strength and balance in the rider. This horse is teaching this student how to walk!
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