Horse Play

HORSE PLAY 

by Dana Brantley,  News@mykynews.com

John and Rhonda Leach have always loved horses.  In fact, it was through horses that they met.  What they never dreamed was that their love of horses would not only touch the lives of their children, but also the lives of countless others through Ohio County Equestrian, Inc.

Ohio County Equestrian, Inc. provides therapeutic horseback riding for children and adults who are physically or mentally challenged.

Before the creation of OCE, the Leaches’ horses were providing therapy for their own children---Dena, Chris and Elizabeth.  Soon after Elizabeth’s birth, the children were all diagnosed with a rare genetic disease called Friedreich’s Ataxia—Spinocerebellar Degeneration, a fatal progressive neuromuscular disease.

Before their diagnosis, the older children had already started riding horses.  As they grew older all three continued to ride and the doctor’s were amazed at how well they were doing.

“They said the kids shouldn’t be that healthy at that stage, “ Rhonda said.  “I said ‘they ride horses’ and the doctor just scratched his head.  He was amazed that they were doing so well, and a big reason for that is because of riding.”

The journey into the creation of OCE began in 1991 when the Leaches held a birthday party at their farm for a student in the classroom of one of Rhonda’s friends.  It was then that Rhonda was told about an equestrian program through another charity organization.  It became an obsession for her and she began looking into it.

“If you have five horses and you turn them out in that field whether you trail ride them or no matter what you do with them, they might eat just a hair more food, but if you have them it’s not going to cost any more to let 100 kids ride them as it does for you to ride them,” she said. “And that is what we did.”

So it was then, after seeing the benefit of horses on their own children, that they began inviting others to ride.

In 1993, one of the riders had the opportunity to compete in a national competition, but Rhonda said she was unsure how they were going to get the $1,200 to send him to Connecticut to compete.

“I sent a letter to Ellis Park and asked them if they could help us raise the money since it was horse related,” she said.  “Well I got called right back and said they would do a fundraiser.  I think we were only out $100.”

As the program grew, the Leaches saw a need for additional funds to help keep the program going and in order to raise money they needed to incorporate as a charitable organization.  One day at the doctor’s office, she was asked how things were going with their riding endeavor.  She explained how she would love to incorporate, but didn’t have the money to file the necessary papers.

“God was prodding me to do this (incorporate), but I couldn’t do it until I had the money,” she said.  “One week I was at the doctor’s office and the next week I got a check from Perry and Colleen Lewis for $500 to incorporate.  I read the letter that said they wanted us to take the money and incorporate the program.  Hence, Ohio County Equestrian was born.”

The Leaches knew nothing about running a charity and they never had any intentions of doing anything like this.

“If God had told me ‘Rhonda, come do this.’  It would be like him telling Noah about building the ark,” she said.  “I would have probably just run off somewhere.”

Although it wasn’t part of their plan, the organization grew.

“We never planned anything like this,” John said.  “It just started growing and growing.”

“It has truly been a God thing.”  Rhonda said.  “The two of us have trouble finding each other.  We are the most unorganized people you can possibly run into, but with God all things truly are possible.”

They have a physical therapist that has been with them for 18 years that assists them, along with about six to eight regular weekly volunteers.  The Knights of Columbus gave OCE some money which volunteers used to build restrooms and a picnic area at the facility.  The United Thoroughbred Trainers of America and William H Fires and Jockey Charles R Woods Jr were instrumental in getting the barns built.

The facility is open to riders Tuesdays and Thursdays (and now some on Fridays to accommodate all the riders) where they not only learn to ride, but also learn fine and gross motor skills such as learning how to pick up things, put things like Easter eggs together and blow bubbles all while sitting on a horse.

Their children, Chris and Elizabeth still continue to benefit from riding.  Dena has since passed away.

The Leaches are still amazed at the benefits horses have on the riders.

“Chris sits in his (wheel) chair and when you pick him up, he is almost rigid, but you can put him on that horse and in five minutes he is as limber as a dish rag.” John said.

Rhonda said the opposite is true as well.  Someone who is limp and can’t sit up straight will learn to do so while riding.

“It is amazing how some children who are too scared to get out in the rain are fearless on a horse,” Rhonda said.  “It is a whole different world for them---to be able to pull something and make that 2,000 pound horse go right or go left or stop or stand still or go faster.”

“They can go from point A to point B without anyone else’s help.”  John said.  Not all horses work this well with the riders.

“We have learned over time that there are some tricks when you first see the horse,” John said using the example of buying Chris a horse.  “Normally with these horses if you pull a wheelchair up to them and they are afraid of the wheelchair, forget it because it won’t work.”

The Leaches see this as their ministry—no one is paid for their work—and the glory goes not to them, but to God.

They are a charitable organization and are a United Way agency—meaning they receive money through United Way.  They also receive funds through the annual Friends in Faith Benefit Horse and Mule Fun Show.  The 13^th annual event took place Saturday, Sept 9 at the Ohio County Park.

“None of this could be possible if God hadn’t planned on it being this way,” Rhonda said.  “Everything we have needed has always been provided.”