Written by Carmel's Mom Sophie and Rosie Girl's Horse Handler Maddie. Photography by Sophie.
Sophie: Since the brightest spot in my daughter’s week is almost always at Little Bit, I brought her in for her hippotherapy session even though she wasn’t doing too well. She had been in the hospital a few weeks prior, and we were in a difficult stretch of consistent episodes. Her paralysis and significant symptoms were lifting, but she was still very weak, nonverbal, and in an altered state of awareness. Even though it doesn’t always work, her Little Bit Occupational Therapist Christina and I have seen Carmel regain speech and function even in a single hippotherapy session, and on this particular day, we were hopeful this would be the case.
Maddie: The patient for my hippotherapy with Rosie Girl arrived very timid, weak, and nonverbal. On good days, she is a happy, talkative little girl who loves riding. Today was not one of those days.
Sophie: I carried Carmel into the barn, and she was unable to mount Rosie Girl, so Christina lifted her on. At the time, Rosie Girl was still new to Carmel, and so honestly, I was very interested to see how Rosie Girl would respond to her in such a different state than she had seen her before. If I’m honest, I was a bit nervous―Rosie Girl tends to be a little concerned about new things here and there.
Maddie: Christina helped lift Carmel onto Rosie Girl instead of doing her typical climb on. As soon as she sat down on Rosie Girl's back, Rosie's Girl's energy level went way down; she had been a little squirrelly in the warm-up but stood rock solid for the mount. Instantly, her mission became taking care of this little girl. She walked straight, calm, and slower than normal for almost the entire session. The one time she threw her barrel to the side was when Carmel was off center. I asked her to keep walking but she planted her feet until her little girl was back in the middle; it was as if she was saying, "There is no way I'm going to let her come off today," even though Christina and the sidewalker would never let that happen. Rosie Girl was clearly in her motherly protection mode.
Sophie: The session unfolded in the most beautiful way, and oh I was wrong to doubt Rosie Girl even for a moment. At one point, I even had tears welling up in my eyes as I watched Christina patiently work with Carmel, and I watched Rosie Girl actually refuse to move until Carmel was centered. My tears really started rolling as I watched Rosie Girl later actually shift her barrel to help prop Carmel up when she was slipping. (Normally, when Carmel is full strength, she is able to stay centered.) The whole time Rosie Girl was very focused, and I could see that she was truly concerned about Carmel. Though I don’t claim to understand horses, intuitively I felt this incredible trust with Rosie Girl, because I knew she felt how fragile and vulnerable Carmel was. I knew she would stay calm and take precious care of my girl.
Maddie: About 20 minutes in we started playing with bubbles. Carmel started to smile and interact for the first time in the whole session. Pretty soon after the first few bubbles, she started talking and laughing. Rosie Girl took note of this and almost immediately her energy level rose to match Carmel’s. Rosie Girl became more engaged with me because she was no longer so highly focused on keeping Carmel safe and settled (although that, of course, was still her goal). We had a wonderful last 10 minutes of the session, with Rosie Girl walking in her natural gait and Carmel smiling, laughing, and interacting.
Sophie: By the end of the session, Carmel was engaging and talking, and her body had regained some strength. I could see in Rosie Girl, and also in Christina (and team), such a natural reward. Rosie Girl seemed even more attentive, happily so, and her concern over Carmel had diminished. Rosie Girl was delighted to receive Carmel’s affection at the end of the session. It was as if Carmel was saying, “Thank you, I love you.” and Rosie Girl was saying, “It was my honor.”
Maddie: When it was time to get off, Carmel was very intent on kissing Rosie Girl. Rosie Girl stood in the ramp and didn't budge all the while receiving many hugs and kisses. It was really special to witness this horse be so gentle and take care of this little girl in every way. They are a sweet pair and their love for each other is very clear!
Sophie: I’ve always known horses are esteemed to be some of the most intelligent and intuitive animals, but I really think Carmel’s life and her specific medical condition really highlight just how built for connection horses are. Rosie Girl is a special horse, and she truly demonstrated an unmatched level of attentiveness and composure that I am very grateful for. Since then, Rosie Girl continues to be incredibly interested in and attuned to Carmel’s needs―and their bond is ever growing. We are so, so grateful!
Thank you for helping create Little Bit "magic" for Carmel and hundreds of other children and adults with disabilities. Happy Holidays!
