| Come relax and take a guided horseback ride at Med Hat Trails' beautiful acreages. Enjoy the breath taking scenery and the thrill of riding your steed across the cool spring fed creek. At Med Hat Trails there is always the possibility that one might see Deer, Wild Turkey, Red Tail Hawks or even our National Symbol, the Bald Eagle. |
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| Brent Alan Erwin is well known for his work with adults and children with Autism, the mentally challenged and troubled teens. “Way of the Horse” Horse Therapy - Changing Lives As published in 'Your Horse Magazine' A Special Report by Julie Brown In the US, bringing horses together with children who have mental or emotional disorders has had startling results. Julie Brown talks to Franklin Levinson who's now bringing this kind of therapy to the UK Children with autism and attention deficit disorder often struggle to communicate - but put them with horses and they can achieve so much. That's what American Franklin Levinson found when he introduced Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL) to children with serious emotional challenges. Therapy with horses has been around for ages, but what Franklin did was to take the work of the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association a step further to help children with severe anti-social behavior. How it works "Horses react as a mirror to the person who's with him" says Franklin. "He's a prey animal so he wants to feel safe and is always on the lookout for predators. A horse will become very fearful if he's with someone who's aggressive, noisy, disrespectful or too controlling. On the other hand, if the person makes requests rather than demands the horse will begin to cooperate. He is always looking for a leader." horses and autism This is why horses are so good to use as therapy for children. A child who is given just a little insight into dealing with a horse in the right way can become the natural leader the horse is looking for. The horse in return feels safe and peaceful and will cooperate with what the child asks of him. Children, even those with emotional or mental disorders, can often manage a horse more easily and more quickly than adults. Children accept things at face value and are more open to developing an equal relationship rather than trying to control. A horse is looking for simple and clear commands, and a child, with the right encouragement and in the right situation, can carry these out very effectively. "Go, stop, back up, turn this way or that way" is all that's needed. "For children with mental and emotional disorders the positive benefits of getting a horse to carry out these commands are often profound." Says Franklin. "Children with ADD will focus on the horse for long periods while grooming or leading the horse when usually they can't concentrate long enough to do anything much. Autistic children who are withdrawn and living very much in their own world will begin to express themselves - often using new words or gestures they've never expressed before. "Once children realize what they can achieve their self-esteem increases in leaps and bounds. Imagine what it must feel like to lead an animal through an obstacle course, stopping and starting when you want to, when you usually find it difficult to concentrate, communicate or stay in control?". Brent is proud to be affiliated with Able Kids Therapy a small pediatric therapy clinic located in midtown Tulsa. We specialize in working with children who have problems with sensory information processing, gross and fine motor coordination, handwriting, communication (verbal and non- verbal), social and emotional abilities. We work with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) primarily, but possess a wide variety of experience. We offer both individual and group therapy. Brent teaches riding from the ground up. Lessons include instructions on full care for the horse by cleaning the hoofs, brushing, proper nutrition, saddling the horse, and safe riding. Contact Us For Additional Information |
| Iron Horses Welcome We are just a couple miles off Highway 96 / Historic Route 66 |
| Another "Victory Garden" this season at Medicine Hat Trading Co. |
| A nesting Turkey Vulture inside a living hollow tree. Just one of the many kinds of God's Creatures you might see while on the trail. |
| Carthage, MO- Horses are healing some special kids on a four state ranch. Several kids that are battling autism visited the Medicine Hat Trading Ranch in Carthage. The kids learned how to brush a horse, put a saddle on and also how to ride. Brent Erwin has been helping kids for years. He says it helps build self confidence and lets them bond with the animals. The kids say it's a summer trip they will never forget. Erwin offers riding programs for everyone all year long, if you would like to learn more you can call him at 417-246-5889 or check out his face book page and website. To view video click on the link below Horses and Autism |
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