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Riding to new horizons at ManeGait Horsemanship Center
Watch VideoHorses help children and adults with disabilities
By Katie Knickerbocker, McKinney Courier-Gazette
How many times growing up did your mother tell you to quit horsing around? Well times are a changin’ especially for several families in McKinney; parents at ManeGait Therapeutic Horsemanship are telling their kids to do the exact opposite. Michelle Hammock, mother of ManeGait rider Braeden Paul said riding horses is great therapy for her son.
ManeGait is a non-profit, therapeutic horseback riding center located on 14 acres near 380 and Custer Rd. in McKinney. The center opened by Bill and Priscilla Darling less than a year ago is aimed at helping children and adults move beyond their disabilities through the healing power of the horse. According to their website, ManeGait is “a place where lives are changed, dreams are realized, and boundaries are overcome.”
Co-founder Pricilla Darling said she grew up on a ranch and always loved horses. Last year she started looking for a place to volunteer and through the search decided to start ManeGait in McKinney. After thorough planning, the Darlings opened the center for its first lessons in July of 2008.
“This is one of the most rewarding businesses to be in,” said renowned director Lili Kellogg. “It’s about giving back to society and helping people.”
Kellogg is one of 37 master rider instructors in the nation. She said the movement of the horse is therapeutic for the human body. Learning to ride a horse improves such skills as balance, coordination, and circulation as well as creates a human/animal bond. According to riding instructor Shelby Thompson, the horse’s movement simulates the pelvic movement of the human. She said for people that can’t walk, this stimulates their body, internal organs, and loosens up muscles, while moving them as if they were walking.
Horses also help ManeGait riders on a mental and emotional level according to Kellogg.
“Horses are non judgmental,” said Kellogg. “The kiddos that are having struggles in the school environment can come out here and have fun and the horses don’t care if they’re not typical or normal children.” She said it gives a child a great deal of independence to be able to control such a large animal and helps children with behavior management, social skills, and empathy.
Darling said she didn’t realize the full extent of the impact of this therapy both physically and mentally. She said since the center has been open they’ve seen riders walk for the first time and speak their first words.
“There are riders that only walk because they ride three times a week,” said Darling. “If they don’t ride they’ll be back in their chair.” She said ManeGait and its programs are really having an impact in the community.
That impact is felt most by people like Trisha Nelson. Trisha is a volunteer at ManeGait and the mother of one of ManeGait’s riders. Her oldest daughter was born with Down Syndrome and recently started riding. Nelson said the horses are not very demanding which helps children like her daughter feel calm and relaxed. She began volunteering at ManeGait just to get an idea of what the program was like and has since become very active there.
Kathy Martin, Volunteer Director, said they need more volunteers from the community. She said that volunteering is rewarding for a number of different reasons and allows people to really feel like they’re making a difference, whether that’s through getting to know the kids or taking care of the horses.
Darling said it’s all about listening to a calling. She feels like God has had a hand in directing every facet of the organization and she, along with other ManeGait staff, say they want to keep following that calling and witnessing the lives changed.
For inquires about lessons, volunteering, or donations, please visit www.manegait.org
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