Heads Up!

Special horse riders learn the joys of independence

By: Hilary Parker
   Independence Day is a weekly occurrence at Hasty Acres Farm in Kingston.
   Rather than cannon shots, the occasion is heralded by hoof beats, and carrots are munched (by horses, of course) instead of hot dogs and hamburgers. There are fireworks, too — plenty of them — in the smiles that go off on the faces of children and adults participating in the Heads Up Special Riders program.
   The program, designed to help children and adults with special needs, was started by Betty Higgins in 1990. There are currently 14 active participants in the program. Nicki Sarett of New Hope, Pa., first became involved with Heads Up six years ago as a volunteer and is now the main instructor for the weekly lessons on Monday evenings, assisted by Cathie Sims of Princeton.
   "There’s always a bond with an animal," Ms. Sarett said, explaining the success and impact the horseback riding experience can have on participants’ emotional health. "And the motion is very, very good for the physical aspect."
   At the first Heads Up horse show on May 1 — made possible by the generosity of volunteers and the Albin Family Foundation — parents, siblings and friends gathered round the ring to watch, often in awe, just how far their loved ones have come, just how much independence they’ve gained.
   One of the first riders to demonstrate his skills was Isaac Cutler-Kreutz of Princeton. Now 11 years old, Isaac waited for three years for a spot to become available in the program after his family first learned about the opportunity. He was grinning from ear to ear as volunteers helped him up onto "Squirt" and then led horse and rider into the ring.
   "For kids who are disabled, who often don’t have very much control, to be able to be independent, and to have these animals respond, is so affirming of them as complete people in a world where they may feel less complete," said his mother, Liz Cutler, a teacher at Princeton Day School.
   As she spoke, she noted the way in which Isaac used his left arm to move the reins to the left, gently leading "Squirt" in a circle. It’s remarkable enough to watch the bond between the boy and the horse, but even more so to consider the fact that Isaac suffered a stroke at age 2. This dramatically impaired movement on the left side of his body and blocked his left field of vision, and most of the time he doesn’t use his left arm.
   Yet, when he’s up in the saddle, or standing beside the horses he adores, he is able to overcome the disability to a greater extent than anywhere else. His mother said that even the hours of physical therapy Isaac does each week don’t offer the same benefits, or the same motivation. "It’s not like trying to pet a horse with your left hand," she said before going to meet Isaac, proudly riding "Squirt" out of the ring with a brand-new blue ribbon in his hand.
   There seems to be no end to the therapeutic effects of the Heads Up program, and Courtney Read-Giase of New Brunswick, 16, is another of the program’s shining stars.
   "It’s so cool to see her so independent on a horse," said her mother, Robin Read-Giase, describing how in three years the instructors and volunteers have worked to develop Courtney’s skills in a variety of areas. One of the most exciting benefits for Ms. Read-Giase is the growth she’s seen, or rather heard, in Courtney’s verbal abilities. While she has limited use of language, through Heads Up she has begun to use equestrian terms like "hoof." Her mother said the improvement has carried over to Courtney’s language at home, as well, and Courtney now talks about the family dog.
   The program’s participants aren’t the only ones who benefit from Heads Up — the volunteers who spend their Monday afternoons grooming and tacking up horses or leading them around the ring speak positively of their experiences as well.
   Ursula Marsicano of Montgomery, the program’s barn manager, became involved with Heads Up after seeing an ad in the paper. She had always been comfortable around horses and had taught children in CCD classes, so she felt the program was an excellent fit.
   "It’s just so amazing from the time I started how much more relaxed they are when they get on the horse," she said, noting that many of the Heads Up riders stay with the program for years. The relaxation is noticeable even in the span of a 30-minute lesson, she said. Often riders who are quite stiff when they arrive at Hasty Acres are visibly much more relaxed after just a few minutes on a horse’s back.
   Amelia Holstein of Ewing, another Heads Up volunteer, stumbled onto the program on a routine visit to the veterinarian with her dog. She’d recently moved to the area and was looking for a place to get involved in volunteer work with horses. Her vet mentioned Heads Up, and she quickly became an active and devoted volunteer.
   "I get far more out of it, I think, than I give," she said, almost sheepishly.
   But the family members of the Heads Up Special Riders and the riders themselves would probably contest her on that one. Take Julie Harrington of Princeton and her 15-year-old son, Matthew, who has been riding with Heads Up for three years. Thanks to the effects of riding each week, Matthew can now ride a two-wheeler bike. In addition to the program’s positive physical benefits, Matthew also gets much out of it emotionally, his mother said. He eagerly looks forward to his Monday lesson, and calls Mrs. Higgins every Monday afternoon to find out which horse he’ll be riding.
   On May 1, after riding in his first horse show, Matthew happily munched on picnic fare provided by Hasty Acres with his family and talked about horseback riding. "I feel great," he said, grinning from ear to ear and putting an arm around his mom’s shoulder. As for how he feels each week before he gets on the horse, it doesn’t take but a second for him to describe his emotions perfectly.
   "I’m psyched," he exclaimed, and in his laughter the sounds of freedom rang.
Heads Up Special Riders is currently seeking volunteers. Volunteers are the backbone of the Heads Up program, providing support to students and instructors. They greet students, assist with mounting and dismounting, lead horses, and help with horse care and preparation. Volunteers should have some experience around horses, and be 14 years or older (adults are welcome and encouraged.) Training is provided.



Heads Up meets Monday evenings from 4 to 7 p.m. and late mornings some weekdays. For more information, call Cathie Sims at (609) 688-1001 or Betty Higgins at (609) 921-8389.