H
orses provide education, rehabilitation and exhilaration
for children and adults from all walks of life. Equine-
assisted activities and therapies (EAAT) come in many
forms. These can range from equine courses for nurses,
inmates and professionals that teach compassion and
body language awareness to helping the many levels of
disabled humans navigate life in a world that often isn’t compassion-
ate or understanding.
Enter the horse as a facilitator, partner, friend and mentor.
Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center staff often receive calls from
individuals offering to donate a much-loved horse to the therapeutic
program based in Loxahatchee, Florida.“People often think that horses that work in a therapeutic situation
do not need to be fit,” said Susan Guinan, chief operating officer at
Vinceremos. “But that is so far from the truth. Therapeutic horses
are carrying riders often with poor balance, low core strength and
problems with coordination. They need to balance themselves and
the rider, much like a parent giving a piggyback ride to a wiggly child.
Physical strength, a good attitude and patience are only possible
when a horse is fit physically and mentally. That is only possible with
good nutrition and condition.”
The staff of Vinceremos, like many other equine professionals, de-
pend on Purina Animal Nutrition to help them maintain their stable of
therapeutic horses as individuals, each with an important job.
“The horses used for therapeutic purposes have unique demands
that are different from a traditional training program,” explainedShiela Conde, the local Purina rep who works with Vinceremos. “A
great horse in this job is aware of everything, and in a sense internal-
izes the stress and worries of the human partners they work with. It is
essential for us to monitor each horse’s body condition and individual
needs in these programs. These horses are incredible partners, and
often their needs change.”
Kelly Vineyard, PhD, a senior equine nutritionist with Purina, added,
“There is really no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to feeding a therapy
horse. Because good therapy horses come in all breeds, ages,
shapes and sizes, tailoring a nutrition program to their individual
needs is key for maintaining good health and longevity. However,
many programs may have multiple volunteers feeding horses, so
having a simplified feeding program is also important.”
Vinceremos is a PATH International Premier Accredited organization
that has been designated as a Center of Excellence by US Eques-
trian (USEF). Their horses are often used for local and state Special
Olympics games, and two horses in the center’s
37-year history have been used as Paralympian
partners.
Vinceremos provided horses for two Paralympians
from Finland in 2012. “These young ladies needed
to qualify for the opportunity to compete in London,”
said Guinan. “Their chance to do that was at a
competition in the U.S., but the cost of transport-
ing their horses made it impossible. So they called
Vinceremos, and we were able to provide them with
horses.”
The facility’s staff members are currently working with two riders who
have set their sights on competing as Paralympians with dreams of
representing the U.S. in a future Paralympic Games.
Vinceremos has been the training center for Special Olympics
equestrians in Palm Beach County, Florida, for 35 years. “We hold
the county competition at our facility each year,” said Guinan. “Vin-
ceremos also hosts the Special Olympics Area Equestrian Games
each year, when 100 riders from five counties come together to vie
for a place at the annual state Special Olympics. These riders all
have a cognitive disability, and most have the additional challenge of
a physical disability. But they all work hard to earn their places on the
team, and they love their horses.”
Purina believes every horse is extraordinary. Learn more at
purinamills.com/horse.THE
REINS OF
LIFE
Horses at Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding
Center make dreams come true—whether
through everyday lessons or by fostering
Olympic aspirations—with help from
Purina Animal Nutrition.I saw a child born into strife
Take up and hold the reins
of life.
—from the John Anthony Davis poem “I Saw a Child”Special Advertorial
COURTESYVINCEREMOS