About

My Story

My personal journey from tragedy to fulfilment through Equine Assisted Therapy

My life began with anguish and uncertainty for my parents. I was born with a brain tumour and endured surgery four times before I was two years old. These were difficult years.. and my medical prognosis was devastating:

I would never walk properly and mainstream schooling was out of the question. I am sure it was news that would have shattered any mother and father. I am so grateful that my parents refused to accept it.

REDGUM RIDING

Who I Am

This could have been my life...

Instead of giving up, an intense occupational, tactile and speech therapy program was initiated.

Sadly, after three years of constant therapy, my gross motor skills remained poor; my hands retained the constant tremor.

Something amazing happened...

When I was about five, I happened to attend a horse riding school. It was wonderful! Manyan... I remember a sweet, gentle horse. But while I, as a child, remember the joy and excitement of riding, my parents observed something very different. I returned home calmer, more balanced.. with my ever-present tremors less pronounced.

Hope began to grow...

And so I returned... again and again. The observed changes were discussed with my occupational therapist and we learned about equine assisted therapy. It meant little to me. I was just eager to return to riding, week after week. And while my therapy sessions were gradually phased out, my riding sessions increased.

In 2013, not only had I attended mainstream schooling, but I had graduated from Emmanuel College on the Gold Coast, Year 12 and with pre-vocational training Cert III in Sports Coaching, Equestrian.

I am now a qualified horse riding instructor, with a passion for horses and more- to share the potential of equine influence with others who also struggle with developmental challenges. I have experienced firsthand the powerful role that horses can play in improving communication skills, strengthening core and the consequent improved motor skills, and the contribution to a disciplined thought process. Operating from the Gold Coast horse riding and beginner instructing has now become my life.

If you would like to learn more or to discuss horse riding lessons further, please contact us HERE.