Rainbow Reins is "Off to the Races"

It is a bright and beautiful spring afternoon high atop the hills in Franklin Lakes.  The sky is cobalt blue and the woods are alive with chipmunks, birds and squirrels and in this case wild turkeys—all scurrying about, building nests, digging for food and having adventures under a canopy of brand new leaves.  The stables at Saddle Ridge are freshly painted, the fences sturdy and bales of sweet hay ready to be distributed to hungry horses, neighing contentedly in their stalls.

Outside in Ring One, adults and teenagers are learning to trot and post, eventually riding in the wooded trails nearby.  In another ring a young boy is in the saddle, squealing with delight as his pony walks gently in a circle, snorting softly as if chuckling at an inside joke.  Six-year-old Eric listens as his trainers give commands: “1-2-3-walk on.”  Eric leans forward slightly and “Blondie” walks forward.  From a distance, it appears to be an ordinary lesson, ordinary that is until you learn that little Eric is severely “vision impaired”, has braces on his legs, has a stint in his spine and has suffers from seizures and other developmental delays.  From a distance and even up close, Eric looks like any other healthy, happy child engaged in learning how to ride.

Eric and 19 other special riders are participating in the growing field of “Hippotherapy” which is defined by The American Hippotherapy Association as “a physical, occupational or speech therapy treatment strategy that utilizes equine movement.”  The word hippotherapy comes from the Greek word hippos, which means horse.  In hippotherapy, the movement of the horse (which has been demonstrated by scientists as similar to the way humans walk) is used in treatments to address many types of impairments from functional limitations such as ADD/ADHD and a variety of learning disabilities to those persons who suffer from neuromotor and sensory dysfunction; problems with seeing, hearing and comprehension issues. 

Owner and founder Marlene Meyer became interested in hippotherapy as a volunteer at first, a supplement to her career as a full time emergency room nurse.  Meyer, a lifelong lover of horses and children became fascinated at the strides children made when working with the large animals.

“Horses have a sixth sense when it comes to people with physical, neurological or other impairments.  Kids and horses form a bond like no other and you can usually see a difference after a few lessons,” said Meyer.

Meyer’s riders come in with an IEP, a lesson plan based on a diagnosis and treatment plan from their neurologists or other medical professionals.  Meyer goes to work, designing a therapeutic program tailored specifically for each child, one that is repetitive and progressive at the same time.

Through a process of “sidewalking”, one person leading the horse, while Meyer and Volunteer Coordinator Candace Brackett walk closely on either side, keeping full control of horse and rider at all times.  Through a series of warm-ups, Meyer quickly assess the child’s current state which can be affected on any given day by diet, physical complaints or an elevation or reduction in sensory input due to changes in medication or even mood.

Simple commands are given in sequence in order to focus the child’s attention, strengthen muscles and coordination, as well as providing a safe, fun learning experience.

“Many of these kids spend a great deal of time indoors and really enjoy being outside with the wind in their face,” says Meyer whose goal is to see improvements in the quality of her students’ lives. 

Some of the greatest achievements are made in areas many of us take for granted—understanding left from right, the use of both of our hands, the ability to balance. Meyer’s approach is extremely organized and sequential—each skill builds upon the next.  A rider who strengthens his weight-bearing ability by standing up and down in stirrups will most likely walk better.  Hand-eye coordination and balance is enhanced through games like tossing a ball into a bucket while sitting in the saddle.

Even small improvements in attention and physical abilities lead to heightened self-esteem which leads to more focusing and successes in learning. Meyer also teaches empathy by demonstrating kindness to the horses and in a separate program called Equine Facilitated Mental Health-students participate in mutually respectful activities such as handling, grooming, as well as exploring the feelings and behavior of their four-legged friends.

Founded in 2005, Rainbow Reins is NARHA (www.narha.org) certified as are its licensed/certified instructors. All of the ponies and horses have been desensitized in order to qualify as therapeutic and the safety of both riders and horse is a priority.  RR has many volunteers like Dolores Calderone, a Prominent Properties Realtor who became involved five years ago when her daughter attended a riding camp at Saddle Ridge.  Both signed on and became trained as did many others who have interned while studying at local colleges in related fields.

Rainbow Reins is a 501(c)(3) organization that relies on donations to subsidize operations as well as providing scholarships for more riders.  Hippotherapy serves many special needs-those with Downs Syndrome, Developmental Delays, Amputation, At-Risk Youth, Emotional/Behavioral Challenges, MS Stroke/CVA, Muscular Dystrophy, Autism, Head Trauma, Brain Injury, Cerebral Palsy, Sensory Impairments, Paralysis, Speech Impairments, Spina Bifida, Spinal Cord Injury, Substance Abuse, Terminal Illness and Weight Control. Students also come in groups from schools such as the ECLC in Hohokus whose Kindergarteners absolutely love their time with the horses.

Some children come with parents, some with Special Needs teachers or aids, while other like nine year old Emelia bring a whole cheering section.  Emelia, riding a 10 year old Morgan Horse named Tasha, is one of the Rainbow Rein stars as she has progressed to the “transitional stage” of riding independently, that is without the sidewalkers.

The Saddle Ridge Riding Center is located at 900 Shadow Ridge Road in Franklin Lakes.  For more information go to www.rainbowreins.org  or call Marlene Meyer at 201-741-3079 or marmeyer@rainbowreins.org .  Rainbow Reins offers private half hour classes, School Group Lessons, Barn Management and Hippotherapy as well as an Equestrian Summer Camp.  To volunteer, callCandace Brackett at 201-316-7785 or csbrackett@rainbowreins.org.  All Instructors and the volunteer coordinator are certified in CPR, First Aid and AED by the American Red Cross.

Donations are always gratefully accepted and can make a huge difference in the quality of life of a child.