Equine-assisted therapy (EAT) uses horses to help people improve their physical and mental health. Horses improve balance, strength, and spatial awareness to help people with physical and occupational therapy needs. They also help people with anxiety, PTSD, and other mental health issues. EAT can even help stroke survivors improve their balance, mobility, and quality of life. Regardless of health hurdles, EAT helps to develop confidence and a sense of independence. You don’t even have to be able to sit on a horse; there are adaptations to help with that, too.
Hope Unbridled Equestrian Program in Tupelo, Mississippi, aims to bring therapeutic equine programs to differently abled individuals by providing individualized equine and therapeutic riding activities. Founder and director Sherry Jenkins advocates for the benefits of therapeutic equine programs because they have helped her daughter and family the most.
“My daughter, Meredith, was diagnosed with Central Auditory Processing Disorder, low muscle tone, Dyslexia, and ADHD,” shared Jenkins. “Like most parents, I began researching activities that would benefit her and be a place where she could succeed. I had appointments to take her and my son Nicholas to learn more about riding and karate lessons.”
The Jenkins family met with Rochelle Tullos of Carver Lane Stables of Tupelo and observed riding lessons.
“My son got hooked,” shared Jenkins. “Our family’s love for horses and riding was born. I know that God brought us to Carver Lane Stables as part of our journey to lead us towards the development of Hope Unbridled.”
The Jenkins never made it to try karate lessons; it was horse riding from then on.
“Meredith was the child that wanted to show,” shared Jenkins. “I remember when she won her first blue ribbon (1st place), and she held it up to me and said, “See, Momma, I told you I could do it!” That was my God-sighting moment when I knew that horses had made a difference in my daughter’s life, and God was calling us to make a difference in the lives of others in partnership with the wonderful creatures called horses. I wanted all children to have that proud moment: “See, I can do this!”
Carver Lane Stables offers a range of traditional services for horse enthusiasts; Jenkins dreamt of a place where more people like her daughter could come and learn to ride with the added benefit of therapy.
In 2008, the Jenkins family purchased land and began developing Dream Catcher Stables at 103 Beckman Road. They envisioned becoming a facility home to a PATH International Handicap Riding Program.
“We purchased the land in 2008,” shared Jenkins, “It took longer than expected. We have experienced economic ups and downs, but God’s timing differs from ours.”
Finally, in 2015, Jenkins saw her vision come to life. To begin the Hope Unbridled Equestrian Program, Jenkins partnered with Terry Timmons, a certified PATH instructor and an Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning. Working together, Jenkins and Timmons developed a place that partners with horses and affirms the worth and beauty of each person who enters a program.
“It was born with a vision to be a place where everyone, regardless of their life circumstances, affirmed their infinite value as a child of God,” explained Jenkins. “The horses give so much of themselves as they offer forgiveness, strength, patience, love, and joy!”
Today, Hope Unbridled has 40 plus riders with about 10 horses well suited for the therapies. Eager to grow and move into a new chapter of their story to meet the interest of more riders, Hope Unbridle needs more volunteers and financial support. Each rider gets a volunteer to lead the horse and side-walkers to prevent falls. Horses take resources for hay, vet care, and housing.
“Right now, everyone volunteers their time,” shared Jenkins. “But as interest in our programs grows, we must focus on having a full-time paid position(s) to expand our programs and reach.”
You can learn more about Hope Unbridled over at hopeunbridledequestrian.org.
