If you have seen my social media posts you will know that today we visited Barleyfields stables as part of equine therapy for Charlie. There is other news, as Charlie’s family liaison officer came to the stables with his occupational therapist, however, because I want to keep Charlie’s equine therapy in a category and record progress, it is best that I write about that in another post.

Today, was pretty low key. It always is for the first visit, which is just an introductory visit to meet the horses and look round the stables. Charlie did amazing though! Was there for an hour! As I said, the family liaison officer came, the occupational therapist came and we met his riding instructor. I imagined Charlie being so overwhelmed but he wasn’t he was in his element and off he went! Because the stables are so big, it took us ages to walk around them.

After the initial meeting of the horses, Charlie got to walk a tiny Shetland pony up the road and back again, he loved the activity as he was able to lead the pony with her reins. And then it was time to meet his own pony. He now has a pony called Logic, a boy one, a chestnut pony. His responsibilities will include brushing his mane, cleaning his shoes and walking him. Once, he is more confident, he will learn to ride him. What struck me the most was how much Charlie was willing to get stuck in and get the work done! So much passion, I’m really looking forward to watching this relationship grow.

At first the occupational therapist will attend regularly, but eventually she will fade out and it will just be Charlie and the riding instructor. What is brilliant, is the fact that the riding instructor is also a TA at Charlie’s school so understands the stresses and anxieties that children like Charlie have and she will also be a familiar adult at school = bonus.

And, I will be sent to the car. Bliss!! It’s not that I don’t like horses, or want to see Charlie develop, but that 1 hour in the car will be so blissful, it will actually be the only hour I get off a week. I can’t wait, it will not only help with Charlie’s sensory needs but with his separation anxiety levels I can’t wait. This really is a win-win situation.

Georgina x