Georgia Magazine - November 2021 - 24

Mason Mirandy smiles as he rests on
equine team member Faith's back at
summer camp. He is accompanied
by Beyond Limits Therapeutic Riding
counselors, Kintzing Bounds, (left),
and Claire Foster, (right).
Gwendolyn Coley displays clients' artwork created
during a therapy session at The PEACH Pit in
Fort Valley.
Continued from page 23
They've seen miracles
at Beyond Limits
More than a decade ago,
Kimberly Oviedo, a doctor of
audiology in Cartersville,
searched for a therapy program
for her son and daughter that
wouldn't seem like therapy at
all. Something fun. Something
enriching.
" We tried hippotherapy, a therapy that uses
Madeline Ferguson loves Classy, a horse at
Beyond Limits Therapeutic Riding.
short of miraculous. Working with the horses and
riding them strengthens the muscles in a rider's
body.
" We've witnessed nonambulatory riders who
use walkers for stability or balance strengthen
their legs and core enough to walk unassisted, "
Moreland says. " We've heard nonverbal riders
utter their first words during a therapeutic riding
lesson. We've watched confidence levels soar. "
Beyond Limits riders excel in community
horse shows and in Georgia's Special Olympics.
Moreland shares a story about Joseph Williams,
a young Cartersville man in the program who
competed in the Special Olympics with equine
teammate Merlin.
" In the showmanship event, riders lead their horses around a pattern
horseback riding to improve coordination, balance
and strength, " Oviedo says. " As the kids got stronger,
they grew into a more independent riding program. "
As Oviedo witnessed the impact that riding had
on her children and other riders, she began talking
to her daughter's riding instructor, Kristen
Moreland, about launching a therapeutic riding
program. The women selected a horse together and
created a program to help young people with physical
and emotional diagnoses such as anxiety, autism,
ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and
cerebral palsy. They opened Beyond Limits Therapeutic
Riding in 2013 with one horse, one instructor
and two clients.
" Today, we are at Watkins Farm in Cartersville
with two outdoor arenas, a fully enclosed indoor
space, miles of trails, seven horses, three instructors
and over 100 kids, " Oviedo says. " Any rider with a
diagnosis can participate in therapeutic riding. "
For the riders' families, the results are nothing
24 Georgia Magazine November 2021
in the ring and make eye contact with the judges, " she says. " It typically
takes a rider 60 to 90 seconds to lead their horse around the pattern. It took
Joseph two or three minutes, but he did it, he did it unassisted and he did it
like a champion. It was his moment to shine-a moment of independence
after months of practice-and that's a really big thing. "
In working with horses and competing, the riders learn and apply
valuable life skills, such as teamwork, leadership and good sportsmanship,
Moreland says. Some riders have never had the opportunity to participate
in sports, and Beyond Limits allows them to experience the thrill of competing
in a sporting event and to feel a sense of pride and accomplishment.
" I have the best job ever, " Moreland says. " I get to work with the horses,
and I get to make a positive impact on the lives of others. Every day in the
arena, I see riders beat the odds. I see them go beyond. "
Amber Lanier Nagle is a freelance writer living in Adairsville.
For more information
* The PEACH Pit, Fort Valley. (478) 827-3224. thepeachpitgeorgia.org.
* Beyond Limits Therapeutic Riding, Cartersville. (678) 485-9564.
beyondlimitsriding.org.
BEYOND LIMITS THERAPEUTIC RIDING
BEYOND LIMITS THERAPEUTIC RIDING
THE PEACH PIT
http://www.thepeachpitgeorgia.org http://www.beyondlimitsriding.org
Georgia Magazine - November 2021

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