Jenny was born with a rare condition resulting in a life-long disability. She is the oldest of three daughters and her devoted parents, Renee’ and Michael, have been her full-time caregivers for most of her 46 years.
Jenny arrived at Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center at the age of seven, upon the recommendation of her physical therapist. “I told everyone that I thought this was the craziest idea I’d ever heard of,” laughs Renee’. However, she continued to share that the therapist believed that horseback riding would help her posture, trunk control, hip separation, walking, and stiffness in her legs.
Renee’ recalled Jenny’s first time at Little Bit in 1986, “She was so tiny when she was seven. I remember helping the Little Bit team put her on the horse and watching her face, and that smile never left her face for one second.” It was then that Renee’ knew it would work out.
Since then, Little Bit has offered Jenny not only the physical benefits her family had hoped for, but also intellectual and emotional benefits. Today, Jenny receives Little Bit services twice a week: one adaptive (recreational) riding lesson and one physical therapy treatment. Jenny’s personal goals for each service vary, but they all lead to increased independence. Greater independence has led to a greater quality of life for Jenny.
Jenny’s Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI), Maddy, shared that Jenny’s primary goal in Adaptive Riding is to gain riding independence as her horse walks. They work towards this goal by practicing steering and stopping her horse, with a few reminders from her team. She is also working on sitting tall in her saddle and looking where she is steering to, which helps her horse Molly understand what Jenny is asking her to do.
Jenny’s Physical Therapist, Kelsie, shared that Jenny’s therapy goals are to increase her lower extremity (hip and below) and core strength. Doing so will improve her seated posture at home or elsewhere, which helps during transfers in and out of the car, the wheelchair, and everywhere an adult would need to sit at home. Gait training during therapy improves her walking for short distances, increasing Jenny’s mobility around her home. By increasing Jenny’s overall strength and mobility through Physical Therapy, she can also continue to enjoy recreational activities, such as Adaptive Riding.
Jenny and her family are part of the Little Bit community. Renee’ said that, from the beginning, Little Bit was a place that felt safe and welcoming and has been a constant throughout changes in their lives. Remarkably, two of Jenny’s volunteers have supported her for over 20 years.
Renee’ once asked Jenny to share what she liked best about riding at Little Bit. A big smile then came over Jenny’s face, and she tried really hard to find the right word. “I feel freedom when I ride my horse,” said Jenny. Renee’ shared, “Riding at Little Bit brings her joy that is not like anything else.”
In just under 40 years at Little Bit, Jenny has not only developed many joyful relationships with people, but she has also formed emotional attachments to many horses, and with that came learning to adapt to change. “The most amazing horses in the whole world,” said Renee’. She fondly remembered when Jenny rode Doc independently many years ago and most recently, on Jenny’s birthday, when she and horse Molly both wore birthday sashes while everyone gathered to sing. “I thought she was going to burst, she was so happy and excited,” said Renee’.
Renee’ continued, “Little Bit is like an extension of our family. Being at such a special place and getting the opportunity to ride has been a true gift to Jenny—and seeing her so happy has meant everything to me.”
♥ Thank you to Jenny and Renee’ for sharing their story with all of us.
Thank you to Jenny’s Little Bit Team.
Thank you to Steve Birds Photography.
