At ManeGait Therapeutic Horsemanship in McKinney, lives of children and adults are improved by the healing power of the horse and the support of a dedicated and caring community. On ManeGait’s 14 acre ranch on North Custer Road, horses are used to assist children and adults with therapy. People with varying disabilities can be positively impacted by equine-assisted therapy. Since a horse’s gait mimics the human gait, riding a horse gives many of the riders normal walking input that they do not normally receive on their own. This input leads to higher cognitive skill, better balance, and more self-confidence. With 20 four-hooved therapists serving an average of 110 riders each week, 350 volunteers are required in every aspect of ManeGait from barn work to helping in the arena during lessons to help keep ManeGait flourishing. Our volunteers come from all walks of life and each has his or her own story to tell about their time at ManeGait. For some, this story is written by every member of a family.
“I have no fear of anyone who is different than I am, and I credit that to my mother,” says ManeGait volunteer Angela Heatley. The Heatley family, of Plano, has been volunteering at ManeGait Therapeutic Horsemanship for over 3 years. For Angela, assisting the disabled has always been a family affair. Growing up, she and her mother would help a child with cerebral palsy with his physical therapy every week. “I did this on Saturdays and knew nothing else; it was just a way to help someone who needed it.” These days, Angela is passing on that acceptance to her children, twins Chad and Olivia. “I hope that is one of the lessons we are teaching Chad and Olivia along their way in life, to help, reach out, learn and be compassionate.” The twins, entering juniors at Plano West Senior High, also volunteer their time at ManeGait to help riders. They were named ManeGait’s Junior Volunteers of the Year for 2012.
The twins, along with their father, Clint, volunteer on Saturdays. Though the kids are involved in many extra-curricular activities, they both agree that volunteering at ManeGait is their favorite. “You leave happier than you came,” says Chad. “Everyone gets along, and everyone has the same goal: helping people.” Olivia agrees, “My other groups will say that ‘we’re a family,’ but that’s not true. There’s so much drama there (in the other organizations). At ManeGait we really are a family. We all love each other and we all help each other.” Bringing families together is what ManeGait is all about. The Heatleys spend time after their lessons with our riders, their families, and other volunteers chatting, helping start the next lesson, and sometimes just enjoying being at ManeGait.
“It’s a way to give back,” says Clint, “but it’s also a way to help yourself. Sometimes, we’ll have a bad day, and just need to come out here. You can’t feel bad at ManeGait. Not with all the smiles on the riders’ faces. They make it all worthwhile. And seeing my kids happy and eager to be here makes it even better.”
Riders, their families, and our volunteers often spend time together growing those connections and friendships they’ve made under the roof of the High Five Arena. Our volunteers and riders are more than just acquaintances. They make real bonds and friendships with each other.
Clint and his rider Hayes always have fun goofing off after lessons. Clint has encouraged Hayes to open up to new people by using humor to connect with him. “I got him to say, ‘Hey ladies’ and tilt his cap at girls. He loves it. When he first started riding, he would cry on the horse, but now, he’s laughing and having fun. I was able to bring him out of his shell.”
“We all have learned so much, made cherished friendships, and enjoy our time spent out in the arena with students,” Angela says about the wonder of ManeGait.
On the subject of strengthening their own family bond, the Heatleys all agree, ManeGait gives them the needed family time to grow together. “Some families have game night,” says Olivia, “but we have ManeGait day. It’s great for us.”
“With as much as Angela and I travel,” adds Clint, “you have to have something to do as a family to remind you why you travel for work in the first place. ManeGait is it for us. We can come together, volunteer together, and see how each of us is helping someone.”
It takes 350 volunteers to keep ManeGait successful in its mission to help children and adults with disabilities move beyond their boundaries. You and your family can volunteer too. Visit our website atwww.manegait.org to learn more about getting involved with this organization that changes lives, not only of the riders in therapy, but of the people who give their time to helping those in need.
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