October 2023
2 weeks ago
Meet one of my students. She is a bright 13 year old gal in 7th grade. She was born Spina Bifida. She was also adopted right at birth. She gets around in a wheelchair and can strut her stuff with her braces on her legs, too. :) However, she can't feel anything from her knees down. BUT WHEN SHE IS ON HER HORSE, she can go wherever she wants!!!!!!!
Her parents initially bought her a paint horse, but long story short, this horse was too quick and too dangerous for a gal who didn't have control of her legs. Trying to stay on while the horse spinned from spooking would not be an experiment we wanted to put her through. So one morning, while doing my ritual of eating my cereal with my laptop on my lap I searched through KSL.com on the horse classifieds section. I saw this little mare for cheap. I thought SOMETHING must be wrong with her for her to be priced so low! We called up the sellers (in St. Goerge of all places) and arranged for us to go try her out. She was great. After the vet checked her out and cleared her with a clean, sound structure her parents bought her on the spot. This little mare, who she has named "Cimarron" is WORTH at least $5,000 to $10,000...but they only paid $1500! She was MEANT to take care of this little girl! The week we brought her home, she rode her all over town, gave one of her friends a ride home, riding double, and the mare acts like she's been ridden all over the streets of Hurricane her whole life. She doesn't care about the sheep, scary 4-wheelers, or big Great Danes jumping up on fences right next to her. SUCH A SWEETIE! She picks up her feet for the gal to clean them out before each ride. It chokes me up sometimes to watch those 2 going around the arena, and all around town. The little girl may not have 2 strong legs underneath her at home, but under the saddle, she has 4 STRONG Faithful ones that take her wherever she pleases. :) Heavenly Father made these beautiful animals for a reason.....