Equine Therapy for Sensory Processing Disorder

Today’s Our Land is from a new-to-me special needs advocate, Geralyn. Her post today is about raising empathy and wonder, finding solutions to challenges, and the magical powers of horses. I hope you like it as much as I do. 

Hippo Therapy for Sensory Processing Disorder 

I always knew I wanted to be a mother. But having children wasn’t exactly an easy road for me.  My husband, Chris, and I had a challenging first pregnancy, but were lucky to bring our incredible son Andy into the world. When we got pregnant a second time, we lost the child. After going through that heartbreak, we decided to look into adoption. 

At first, I had no idea what to think. With my son, I had nine months to prepare and fall in love with him as he grew inside of me! What would it be like without the experience of pregnancy? I was nervous.

But all of my fears vanished as soon as I met Delaney. Chris and I were there when she was born, and I immediately fell in love. There was never any doubt in my mind that this was my daughter. 

As she began growing, I could tell that there was something different about Delaney. She was much quieter than Andy. She was hitting all of her important milestones later than Andy. I hoped they were just two individuals taking different paths. But there was always a nagging feeling at the back of my mind that something just wasn’t adding up.

Finally, Chris and I decided it was time to stop ignoring our instincts and take Delaney to the doctor. While we sat in the waiting room, I tried to quiet the alarm bells in my mind and convince myself that I was just being an overprotective mother. An hour later, the doctor gave us a diagnosis: Delaney had a sensory processing disorder.

Hearing those words come out of the doctor’s mouth was a shock. Chris and I wanted to give our daughter the world. We wanted all of her dreams to come true. Uncertain of what the implications of her diagnosis meant for her future, we threw ourselves into research right away.

Turns out, sensory processing disorder isn’t a death sentence. Far from it, in fact. With the right treatment and family involvement, children with SPD can live completely normal lives. We found comfort in tales from other parents online. Our Delaney was still the same, loving child she had always been; we just needed to listen to her.

Once Delaney started speaking, she immediately began talking about horses. Anytime we drove through the countryside, Delaney’s eyes would light up as she watched the horses run through the open fields. I’d never seen her so excited about something! I knew that I wanted her to be able to pursue this passion and that I would do everything I could to make it happen. 

I quickly found Celtic Charms, a therapeutic riding center just down the road from our home in New Jersey. It provided programs for people with physical, cognitive, and emotional disabilities. When I first called, Delaney was too young — the minimum riding age was four — but enrolled her on her fourth birthday.

From the minute Delaney walked into the barn, she was a natural.

She came alive in the ring, commanding her horse and responding to its movements.

Outside of the ring, Delaney was able to learn responsibility, proudly carrying her saddle back to storage after her lessons. These were the things that I struggled with every day at home, but they came so easily in the barns. Delaney was truly in her element. I saw her come to life before my eyes.

Equine therapy wasn’t something I was terribly familiar with, but when I thought about it more deeply, it completely made sense to me. Animals are accepting, comforting and provide us with immediate, unfiltered feedback. There’s no second guessing or judgment when it comes to dealing with animals—their reaction is their reaction. For a child with trouble processing sensory information, that simple, honest relationship was probably a breath of fresh air!

Now that Delaney has gotten older and is starting kindergarten, we’ve had to cut back a bit because of her school schedule. Still, we take the time early in the morning before school to go to the barn and get her riding sessions in. Her time with the horses helps her get ready to learn and stay centered. It’s like medicine to her. She can learn and feel that she’s in control of herself and her body. For a mother, that’s an amazing gift to give your child, especially when it doesn’t come easily to her.

But it isn’t just Delaney who has experienced major life changes through her equine therapy. Seeing her transformation has truly transformed myself and Chris, as well. We’ve stopped and taken a look at our own lives.

I worked on Wall Street for 15 years. After learning about the sad state of special education in New Jersey, I decided to go back in school and pursue a degree in early childhood education. Chris has been giving back to the community as a volunteer firefighter.

But, ultimately, we wanted to give back to the organization that helped Delaney find herself. When the barn announced the dates for their annual ride-a-thon, a recital-type event where riders showcase their skills, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to give back. The funds raised through the ride-a-thon provide scholarships and free equipment rentals to families who may not be able to afford it. 

I collected pledges for Delaney’s ride on the fundraising website everydayhero to help those who needed it. When Delaney entered the ring for the ride-a-thon on June 1, we had raised nearly $1,000. 

I’m constantly blown away the incredible group of inspirational parents, guardians and loved ones that have welcomes my family into their hearts. It’s the most inspirational community to be a part of — these people are coming together to do something for the greater good. It motivates me to pay it forward. But mostly, I feel so fortunate, and blessed, that my little girl has found riding. She’s found her passion, the thing that helps her know herself and love the world that she’s in. It’s the hope that every parent has for their child. Watching the spark of Delaney’s spirit each time she enters the ring is a transformation, and a miracle, that will never grow old.

More about Geralyn: Geralyn Drury is a mom on a mission. Formerly a Wall Street worker, she was motivated to change careers after witnessing the sad state of education with her daughter Delaney, who has sensory processing disorder. Now, she’s back in school studying early childhood education. Alongside her husband Chris and son Andy, she spends her free time raising money to help children like Delaney with cognitive disorders.