Provide HorseTHERAPY to 50 Nicaraguan Children

Familias Especiales has been searching for a new physical therapist for over two years.  We wanted someone full time and someone who wants to learn Horsetherapy. I am happy to announce that we have finally found a therapist and she has already started.  Darleen, also has some experience with horses since she had to ride horses to get to the patients in the campo in her last job.  Now she will begin learning the science of Horsetherapy with Gustavo who is titled from the University of Gimbernat en Barcelona Spain in this scientific therapy based on the horse's muscle movement in coordination with the human muscles.

With the death of Encantada, our third horse, we were left with Parjaro  our fourth horse to work with the children.   Don Alvaro, the owner of the most beautiful horses in Matagalpa,  has recently been able to introduce a new horse so we will be able to really work full time in Horsetherapy, now with two horses and two therapists.

We continue with people with all kinds of different disABILITES riding into health.  Victor a young man who was born blind is just stating but he has already fallen in love with his sessions.  Horses are the best way to raise self-esteem.  We have decided that perhaps even some of our mothers might benefit from a little bit of  Horsetherapy.  Gustavo will evaluate those who are interested.  And see what therapy can be offered.  This will give mother leaders an opportunity to experience this therapy and be able to promote it to others. We have been waiting for this moment for a while and now we have a physical therapist fulltime and a second horse  even after the death of Encantada.  Today all the students from the special education school went to the finca for Horsetherapy since it is also the fresh air and relaxation which helps them to deal with stress. Hipoterapia is a scientifically based therapy which also includes the relaxation which comes from being in a finca and just being in relation with these beautiful Spanish Breed horses that Don Alvaro Reyes treats as athletes. Before the new horse starts it has to go through a time of adjustment in its diet and in its rest cycle.  They are beautiful animals who don’t have that long of a life expectancy in comparison to humans.  But when they  work with our children and young people they share their spirit of strength and beauty, and live on in the memory of those they helped.  So we are very grateful to Don Alvaro for replacing the horses, and caring for our Horsetherapy program even in the midst of Nicaragua’s Social Political crisis which has taken its toll on coffee producers such as Don Alvaro.  As He said to us “ I am committed to making sure that my horses are dedicated to these children no matter what happens.”  It is a family commitment that has lasted 18 years, even thru the death of three horses, giving much life to children who would otherwise be isolated and immobile.

Links:

• news report on horsetherapy
• hipoterapia explained

To start 2019 we had to evaluate our horses form the Reyes Farm.  We were concerned that they were a little bit to frisky.  Gustavo our therapist did a series of tests along with Don Alvaro to ensure that the horses were in good condition and that they were calm horses.  This has a bit to do with the situation in the country of Nicaragua even the horses were affected by the crisis.  But after these tests in 2019 they realized that the horse could continue and that they would be the best horses that Nicaragua has to offer.  Don Alvaro Reyes who is the owner of the horses has the best horses in the country winning many awards for his quality of horse.  He has always guaranteed the quality of the horse but every once in a while we ask for a check on the horses that we use to ensure that no child will be in danger because of a horse that is not willing to cooperate with the therapy.  As Don Alvaro says his horses are athletes and they are treated as athletes.  For instance, depending on the children’s schedule for therapy they have to make sure that the horses have a eating schedule that helps it to be at its top form when working with the children.  

The good news is that we have just purchased a new truck with 4-wheel drive so we can get the children to the arena where they work out.  We had been using a truck without 4-wheel drive and stopping at the top of the hill and the parents had to walk with their children down to the arena where the horse are located.  This was fine during the dry season but was not helpful during the raining season and so we often had to change the arena for the horses and use the entry road as the arena for the horse therapy.  Now we are going to be able to reach the arena at the bottom of the road with the 4-wheel drive. 

We are also continuing with our emphasis on integrated therapy.  This means that mothers and children have to participate in the activities that we organize during the week in order to qualify for the horse therapy.  There are times that we have let this slip because parents are not always willing to make that much sacrifice in order to have their children receive horse therapy.  But staff has all agreed that it only makes sense to have horse therapy for those children whose parents are willing to enter in the complete program, since we do not charge for therapy.  So we have recommitted ourselves to the integrated model now in 2019.  We are having positive results and want to continue with this emphasis.