Horses Helping Children with Autism
For years Rupert and Rowan literally lived in the saddle together on a Quarter Horse mare called Betsy. The story of Rowan opening to the outside world through Betsy is told in the bestselling book and award winning film, both entitled “The Horse Boy“.
Read this story about Horse Boy Method in Dressage Today.
With Rowan’s success, Rupert started working with other local children on the spectrum to see if what worked with Rowan and Betsy would work for them. While no method can ever be right for 100% of people Rupert found a sufficiently high percentage of children benefited-sometimes in astonishing ways.
Rupert’s framework of techniques targets different types of autism spectrum challenges. Since 2009 he has been working internationally with the Horse Boy Method™ at camps and centers in North America and Europe. Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity!
Who should attend this clinic?
Anyone interested in the healing power of horses
Parents, therapists and counselors working with autistic people
Dressage Riders looking for a fresh and beautiful perspective on riding and horses
Training Overview
• Introduction to Autism
• What our methods are. Why they are different
• Necessary Equipment
• Sensory session with horses. For children and for parents
• Collection – what it is and why it matters
• Intro to Back-riding training
• How to create the right environment for Horse Boy Method
• How to cope with children unwilling or afraid to ride
• Long-lines (working with young adults too large to back-ride)
• Rule based games / Perspective taking
• Academics on horseback: how to use the dressage arena and round pen for math, biology, geography and more!
• How to work with the entire family
• Basic trick work. Learning the aids, and demo of how tricks are used for communication
When: February 9 and 10, 2013
Where: Square Peg Ranch at Canyon Creek Equestrian Center
Cost: Riders $675 Non Riders: $340
It’s been almost a week since my best friend left this earth. Only today have I begun to wrap my head around the fact that I won’t be able to ever see him again, poking his head out from stall; his scattered blaze, few strands of forelock, and little white crescent enveloping the inside of his left eye.
loved him was an understatement, because I treasured and admired every single part and everything about him. Even at our first show when he threw me off three times, I never stopped loving him because that’s exactly who he is and it was a lesson in itself, “you cannot expect to trust others if you do not first trust yourself.”
Reflecting fondly and taking time to mourn those we have lost is sweet sorrow. It adds beautiful layers to our lives.
“What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.” Albert Pike
and give a roll in the best school saddle. Before you put a bit in his mouth, you had to wait while he yawned not once, but twice. Every. Single. Time. He didn’t do tricks, you couldn’t swing a polo mallet on him.
On his last day, he ate carrots and cookies until I thought he would burst. I told his cadre of adoring teens that they could stay with him until the vet came and then they would have to say goodbye and leave. I told them that it would serve no purpose for them to be there when Greg, Dr. Cloninger and I did what had to be done. They agreed and hugged and kissed him while the vet parked. The girls had no sooner driven out the gate when Fran collapsed. I know in my heart that he stayed upright for them. I think he did it for me and for Greg also. He let us know that it really was time. It was a kindness so profound and so selfless it leaves me breathless.