Jayden's story

Anya and I must be telepathic. I was just thinking this morning that it was time to get on with blogging again about our weekly adventures. No specific reason why I didn't recently. It's just hard sometimes to get to between having a full time job, a husband, two kids, 1 dog and 5 horses on the property, with three of them going for lessons regularly at the riding school next door, another horse (my awesome Fernando!) on lease at my instructor's yard and fitting everything in - it is quite a juggling act sometimes! Some of my friends have told me that they really don't know how I do it. Frankly, neither do I. Fortunately there isn't time to question HOW? You just DO.

My little teensy riding school is picking up speed at an alarming rate - this despite the fact that I frequently and loudly proclaim my total lack of training in being a horseriding trainer. My style is more informal, which seems to put people at ease, as many (including Anya) has felt the snob end of the stick at proper riding shools, and was put off them due to stuck-up attitudes and know-it-alls from the people at these places. My only qualification seems to stem from the fact that I did (and still do!) so much wrong when I ride, that my poor instructor has to use every trick in the book known to man in an effort to teach me how to do it right. So I guess that qualifies me? Thank goodness Ricus has the patience of a saint. Oh boy, and I'm quite the drill sergeant for my older students, with a "hands low! heels down! elbows in! back straight!" (all those things I so regularly have to be called on when I ride!) and so it continues. I have 7 students of various ages and abilities - fromt he very young (3 years old) to a teenager. Each come for their own special reasons, whether just to learn how to ride, or as therapy for A.D.D - they all bring their own talents and personalities to the arena, which I love!

I shouldn't have a favourite student, but I do have a very special place in my heart for a boy that comes to me for riding lessons, or more for physical therapy actually. Never have I felt more unqualified than when I first dealt with Jayden. Jayden has various challenges that he has to face in his life. He is 7 years old, is blind, autistic and has Asperger's syndrome. Don't worry if you don't know what this means - I also had to look it up. In addition, he currently has very little verbal communication skills. However, this youngster has taught me so much. I thought so grandly of myself that I was going to make a small difference in his life, instead, I must humbly confess that he ended up making a huge difference in mine! His parents are incredible. They personify the Biblical meaning of love: it is unconditional, limitless, enduring and just radiates from them to their son in tidal waves. Not in spite of his disabilities or for any other reason than because of the mere fact that he is theirs to love. After Jayden's lesson on Saturday (which was a bit difficult as he kept wanting to doze off!) he decided to go for a stroll. Being blind does not seem to deter him from wanting to explore his surroundings. And he walked around fearlessly. OK so every teacher has their 'witbroodjie', and I confess happily that he is mine!! I just wonder who is the teacher, and who is the student?

I use the little Shetland pony, Elvis, for Jayden to ride on. Now Elvis, being the only male in this little herd of five, has always been my hero. But never more so than when I first put Jayden on his back. Jayden has difficulty keeping himself upright in the saddle - he will waiver and topple and squeal in delight or aggravation at any moment. He sometimes will fall backwards and then lurch forwards too, and it takes both me and his mom or dad to keep Jayden steady and upright during the ride. But Elvis is my rock. He holds himself so steady and keeps his head down and ears forward, and he just seems to understand implicitly the precious cargo on his back. He doesn't put a foot wrong where Jayden is near. I love that furry little pony! Of course none of this would be possible without the help of our trusty groom Percy who leads Elvis, and whom I rely on so much to help Jayden enjoy the ride.