EPIC VICTORIES
The opening of our 2008 Summer Horsemanship Program commenced one epic battle. It stands that combat usually feels large and overwhelming, whether it occurs on the beach at Normandy, or in the mind.
Fear is an odd thing. It’s odd that a small harmless house spider has the power to elicit a heart pounding, scream-like-a-girl, run for the hills while flapping your arms like a bird response. Fear is also unique. Some do battle with the fear of a small harmless house spider. Others fight with a fear of rejection, or wrestle with a fear of heights, struggle with a fear of failure, or face the fear of physical harm… the list is infinite. The sad thing is that this simple emotion - fear - has the ability to totally devastate life. It can imprison individuals, limit success, ruin joy, and steal peace. This is a story about one young man’s mental struggle with paralyzing fear, and how one small horse helped him find joy, greater peace and the feeling of success!
Craig was a wonderful young man with a great sense of humor and a strong desire to belong and participate, but what do you do with a youth who is afraid of heights, afraid of horse’s power, afraid of spiders, afraid of being out of control, afraid of failing, afraid of rejection, afraid of… practically everything??? The only thing you can do, trust in the power of a God who can work miracles, and in the patience of a good steady horse.
At the beginning Craig participated from a distance, observing other kids groom the horses, love on them and experience the joy of riding successes. He eventually gained the confidence from his observations to try working with one of our “steady eddies” at the time, Koda. With encouragement and one-on-one support Craig began to learn how to halter, lead and groom. However, Koda’s slightest unexpected move would quickly send his mind into a black downward spiral of fear. Craig loved touching Koda’s soft coat and would often talk about the comfort his own pets gave him, but he was also terrified of Koda and interpreted his every move as malicious. For months Craig battled, wanting to do what all the other kids in the group were doing, and wanting to be close to Koda and groom him, but feeling small and threatened when Koda swished his tail at a fly, or stretched his neck around to say, “Thanks for the grooming man, that feels sooooo goooooood!!”
Most days Craig had to struggle through panic attacks, but slowly he began to learn how to cope… how to combat his fear. Each time that he was able to groom Koda was therapy with a patient animal, and Koda quickly learned that his job was to simply be calm, patient and steady. Normally Koda’s summertime mission in life is to kill as many flies as possible. Yet astonishingly he assumed a more subdued nature in Craig’s presence and often surprised staff with how patient and still he remained. Craig began to gain confidence in the fact that he wasn’t going to be teased or ridiculed for his many fears. Koda certainly didn’t mind, and his peers learned how to be encouraging. Eventually panic attacks lessened, and Craig was able to spend more and more time in contact with Koda. By the end of the summer he was able to groom and lead Koda with one-on-one support. Craig had gained significant confidence in himself and everyone was immensely proud of his success. Epic victory number one!
The following summer Graig returned and he gained confidence more quickly. By the end of the first month he was grooming Koda independently. By the middle of the Summer Craig had gained enough victory over his fears, built enough confidence in himself, and established enough trust in Koda that he was able to begin thinking about riding! Craig was encouraged to give riding Koda a try. With his first try Craig was able to climb a mounting block and put his foot in the stirrup. Epic Victory number two! Eventually after weeks of trying Craig was able to put his weight in the stirrup for 5 seconds, then… 10 seconds… and finally came the day he was able to swing his leg over the saddle and sit on Koda’s back. Craig sat on Koda, trembling from head to toe and breathless, for about thirty seconds while we all did our best not to upset Koda by keeping our shouts of joy and little “victory dances” internal. Epic Victory number three!
Each riding lesson that summer was a renewed battle for Craig, fighting many new fears as he progressed… some days he was able to accomplish much, some days he was not. But with each lesson he gained confidence, he was respected and encouraged, and Koda proved trustworthy, calm and patient. Slowly the prison of fear began to crumble, and finally came the day that Craig was able to sit on Koda’s back and breath normally while carrying on a conversation. He was encouraged by all to move, and although walking brought back fear, he was able to focus on his breathing and remain calm while Koda was lead for a sort ride. Epic Victory number four!
By the end of the summer Craig, Koda and their walker were able to join the rest of the group on trail rides and during lessons in the arena! Craig began to enjoy viewing the world from up high on Koda’s back, basking in the encouragement from his peers, and blooming in the success of his accomplishments! He was so excited by his success he chose to continue Horsemanship Classes with Koda throughout his next School Year.
That Fall and Winter Craig worked one-on-one with Koda once a week and learning to deal with his occasional sneezing fits due to dust allergies. When our 2010 Summer Horsemanship Program rolled around he was ready to join the group, riding Koda INDEPENDENTLY at the walk and for short periods at the trot! Epic Victory number five!
The bravery it took this young man to face his many fears in order to enjoy riding Koda is not something to be taken lightly. It took two years, and Koda remains the only horse that Craig is comfortable riding, but we remain SO proud of all that Craig has accomplished!
