Improving lives one stride at a time
They say actions speak louder than words and for Alex and Joey riding horses speaks volumes.
Long time rider, Alex Layton, says, "I am free when I ride and all the riders in the program."
At just 8-years-old, Alex Layton started riding at Southern Delaware Therapeutic Riding. 18 years later he's still growing one stride at a time.
Alex's mom Debbie says, "He had no sitting balance when he first started and now he can ride alone, he can post, he does regular things. The instructors have taught him so much over the years."
But it's not just Alex, it's Joey too, who's now on his eighth year riding.
Susan Peet, Joey's mom says, "Joe is non-verbal. He's the youngest of four boys and he's grown up watching his brothers do all kinds of athletics and things like that so now his brothers and nieces and nephews come out and watch him do the riding."
Joy radiates from their faces just seconds after saddling up.
"You do love it don't you Joe? Yes! I mean it's just amazing, says Susan.
Laughter, smiles, but also intense focus and the benefits don't just stop there.
"You increase your stamina strength, core strength, balance but also your mental and emotional feelings too. Where with mentally it helps you to focus follow directions. There are social interactions between the instructor, between the rider, and the horse so there are a lot of social skills that are gained," explains Kelly Boyer, a certified instructor at SDTR.
Physical and mental growth their families witness every time their kids saddle up.
"Anyone can reap benefits from it even us parents .I mean the benefits just that we get from seeing the satisfaction of our kids and all the other kids it's amazing," says Susan.
"We call it the great equalizer because once you're on that horse your no different than anyone else who's riding too," says Kelly.
Southern Delaware Therapeutic Riding has been trying to increase their ridership to help and improve more lives in Sussex County.
Since buying their farm two years ago they have been investing more into making it a place people of all ages and backgrounds can come to to grow.
Right now they have 60 riders per week, but with more horses and more certified trainers to come they are reaching a whole new audience, veterans.
Kelly explains, "In 2018 we are adding our veterans program too where we're going to serve veterans in the area and we've also added another school in the area."
They're hoping to start out with five veteran riders each week. We're told the veterans visits will be free of charge.
