Twelve-year-old Kara was born with Rett Syndrome, a neurological disorder found almost exclusively in females, and affecting their motor system. At the age of five, she began riding a horse...on her stomach.

"She was like a rag doll," said Nancy Pitchford, executive director and founder of Heads Up Therapy with Horses located in Southern California's Santa Clarita Valley. Kara had no muscle tone, coordination or movement, Pitchford recalled. "Three months later, she was sitting up on the saddle."

Now, after seven years of equine therapy, Kara rides a horse sitting up and makes walking movements with her legs.

However, this isn't an isolated accomplishment. Several years ago, doctors predicted a set of five-year-old twin boys with cerebral palsy would always use electric wheelchairs. But after three years of therapy on horseback, the boys began to walk.

"This kind of thing has happened a number of times at the ranch," said Pitchford, explaining the benefits of horse riding therapy. She stated that Heads Up has assisted hundreds of disabled children to sit up, walk and improve their muscle tone, thus achieving a wider range of mobility.

Heads Up Therapy with Horses was created in 1986 to improve the quality of life of children with disabilities ranging from mental retardation and cerebral palsy to autism and blindness. Removing a child from an often intimidating and frightening clinical environment to a stimulating outdoor horse ranch in the Los Angeles Forest does much more than bring a smile to child's face. Therapy on horseback helps physically disabled children to improve their balance and coordination, as well as to strengthen limbs and muscles and stimulate blood circulation.

"They need to learn to have a lot of coordination, hand-eye coordination and balance. What you see is that little by little they advance," said Angie Olivo, Heads Up Community Liaison.

Children participating in this equestrian therapy have also gained communication skills and a renewed sense of self-esteem. But achieving this doesn't come easy. It takes teamwork in order to reach these successes.

At-risk youths participate as "cadets"

Instructors lead the therapy sessions that along with exercises include games and music. An integral part of Heads Up's success with disabled children comes from the organization's own At-Risk Youth Program involving teens from Camp Scott and Camp Schudder, two nearby detention facilities housing underage offenders.

"These are kids that think they have it bad," Olivo said. "But when they see the children doing horse therapy, they start to enjoy helping others," she added.

Because it takes three people to supervise each child rider during any therapy session, the teenagers are trained to assist in therapy and properly maneuver the horses. These cadets, as they're known at the ranch, guide the children around the arena ensuring their safety and assist them in their exercises as they put their arms out like an airplane, throw beanbags into a tire or gently pet a horse. And although the physical therapy program is geared primarily for children with physical impairments, individuals with any disability are eligible to receive services.

The benefits of therapeutic horseback riding have been touted for centuries. Equine therapy was first used in ancient Greece to rehabilitate injured warriors and later in England during World War I, as physical therapy for wounded soldiers.

Today, Heads Up Therapy with Horses is one of few therapeutic centers of its kind in the country.

Outreach to Latino community

Spanish-speaking families can also benefit from visiting the ranch. Currently, Heads Up has been working hard bringing awareness about horseback therapy to the local Latino community. A bilingual staff member is available to assist Spanish-speakers with questions and all forms and other printed information is readily available in Spanish.

"We need more Latinos to get involved and help get the word out," Olivo stated. "One of my objectives is to get into the Hispanic community because I know there are a lot of youths who need it."

Heads Up Therapy with Horses has received the praise of the Los Angeles County Probation Department, local and state elected officials, community leaders and educators, as well as referrals from medical professionals.

Funding

Much of the organization's funding comes from donations and fundraisers held throughout the year, most notably the annual Country Horse Faire.

Money raised through this event along with other donations will help pay operating costs. Donations will also be applied toward the purchase of a 10-acre ranch that will allow for an expansion of services and will feature an indoor/outdoor arena and space for up to 24 horses.

Currently, Heads Up operates on a 1-acre ranch which 10 horses call home. But as staff and volunteers anxiously await this new land acquisition, they know that for now, getting these children on horseback is what's important.

"For some people riding a horse is nothing special, but for somebody who has never done it, it's outstanding," Olivo said.

And perhaps there aren't enough words to describe the daily miracles that happen at Heads Up. Olivo simply said, "You have to see it to believe it."

For more information about Heads Up Therapy with Horses, upcoming events or volunteer opportunities, call (661) 297-7433 or visit their website at http://headsup.hypermart.net.

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