About Horsin' Around
History:
Judy Clark, at the time a nurse at Georgia Regional Hospital, is an avid horsewoman. In addition to riding and teaching others to ride, she had been working for many years with Attention Deficit Disorder Children. She was asked by a co-worker if she would work with his child who had cerebral palsy. Mrs. Clark said yes and this put the wheels in motion to start a therapeutic riding program. She knew that one of the first things she needed was a physical therapist.
Lanette Yeakley, a physical therapist at Backus Children’s Hospital, had recently moved to Savannah from Texas. She had put in a grant to have a therapeutic riding program, which was denied.
With a little luck, the two met and Horsin’ Around was born on September 19, 2000. Of course it took more than just their desire. Mrs. Clark’s husband Gary offered his help and willing volunteers were found. Mrs. Clark worked with her horses getting them accustom to wheelchairs, a ramp and other equipment, while Mrs. Yeakley began looking for children who would benefit from the program.
The program started with 6 individuals coming one night a week and has expanded to more than 30.
Lanette has since left us and we have gained Becky West as our new physical therapist.
As of 2011, Horsin' Around has become a NARHA member center and is working hard to send our first riders to the Georgia Special Olympics this fall in Perry, GA.
Services:
Horsin’ Around provides riding experiences for individuals with a wide range of special needs, both physical and mental, including, but not limited to, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, autism, muscular dystrophy and developmental disabilities.
Children need a physician’s statement authorizing participation in the program and then they are evaluated by our certified instructors. Individual files are set up on each participant.
They include specific goals, needed medical information, what horse and tack will be used and why and progress notes from each session. If you have a family member interested in participating, check out the Rider Application and please contact Horsin' Around at (912)748-7917.
I Saw A Child
By John Anthony Davies
I saw a child who couldn't walk.
Sit on a horse, laugh and talk.
Then ride it through a field of daisies
And yet could not walk unaided.
I saw a child, no legs below,
Sit on a horse and make it go
Through wood of green
And places he had never been
To sit and stare,
Except from a chair
I saw a child who could only crawl,
Mount a horse and sit up tall.
Put it through degrees of paces,
And laugh at the wonder in our faces.
I saw a child born into strife,
Take up and hold the reins of life
And the same child was heard to say,
Thank God for showing me the way.
Our Sponsors:
Strides to Rides Charity Walk
November 9, 2013
Duke Level: $500 or more
Kuhn Construction Company
Lo Cost Pharmacy
Aerotech Machining, Inc
Richmond Hill Animal Hospital
Maverick Level: $250
Savannah Drywall
Miller's Coins & Currency
Sanitary Plumbing
Tremont Temple Missionary Baptist
"Where Family is First and God is Everything"
Marshall Level: $100
Pediatric Therapies of Savannah
Economy Feed and Seed
Donald Rushing Construction Co., Inc
Southland Pediatric Therapy, Inc
Jalapeno's Mexican Grill
The Zaitz Family
Little Caesars Pizza
Sponsors for Wine and Equines:
Publix of Richmond Hill
McDonalds Restaurants of Richmond Hill
Miller's Coin & Currency
Tremont Temple Missionary Baptist
"Where Family is First and God is Everything"
