VIRGINIA
Healing with horses
Nicholas Showalter began the year a loner. He refused to interact with new people and especially didnt want to be bothered with other children.
There was a lot of aggression there, said his mother, Tracey Showalter, who adopted him nearly five years ago.
Nicholas, an 8-year-old third-grader at Yowell Elementary School, was diagnosed with reactive attachment disorder, a mental health condition typically detected in children who were neglected or abused as infants, shuffled through several foster homes or lived in orphanages where their emotional needs were ignored.
Nicholas behavior began to change when Tracey began bringing him to the Misty Valley Therapeutic Riding Center in Culpeper. The center provides free therapeutic horseback riding to children and adults with special needs, foster children and at-risk youth.
The only cost is a $50 fee for supplies.
The horses help the kids feel in control of something, which is important because so much of their life is out of their control, said co-owner Dawn Grist.
When he first came to Misty Valley, Nicholas refused to get out of the car. Then he would hide under the bushes.
It was scary for him, Tracey said.
But her son opened up slowly. He began with brushing the horses and even got up the nerve to mount one. Now, three months later, he cant get enough of playing with the other children.
He fit right in, Tracey said.
His favorite horse to ride is Trigger, an 18-year-old gelding.
Personal journey
Dawn and Anthony Grist created the riding farm about three years ago to
fulfill a personal need. Their son, Joseph, 14, has cerebral palsy, and
they wanted him to reap the benefits of learning to ride and care for
horses.
Before Misty Valley, the Grists searched for a riding center that would provide lessons for children with special needs.
I began contacting various centers and was sorely disappointed, Dawn said. Not only were the costs astronomical, but most of the centers were so far away, even if we could afford it, the distance was prohibitive.
Three years ago, the family purchased 33 picturesque acres on Turner Lane, about two miles northwest of town on U.S. 522. That way, Dawn said, other families like our own could get the therapy they need for free.
Misty Valley is a nonprofit riding center that depends on donations and fundraisers in order to provide its services.
Dawn says the center has enough money to operate throughout the year.
We dont know if well be open next year or not, she said, pointing to the souring economy as a major obstacle for potential donors.
The riding center is open from March until November.
Dawn, a former real estate agent, spends her time training horses and supervising the many programs at Misty Valley.
Anthony manages an automotive dealership and helps out around the farm when hes home.
The Grist children and a handful of teenage volunteers also help out by mowing and tending to the horses.
Volunteers
Eric Cassavaugh spends a few days a week grooming and saddling the
horses while his 6-year-old twin brothers, Winston and Gideon, attend
the riding center.
Gideon was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder, and Winston accompanies him for support.
Eric, a 16-year-old Orange County High School sophomore, began volunteering last month.
We get to learn how to ride for free, said Eric, explaining why he enjoys volunteering at the riding center.
For more information on how to donate or volunteer, contact Dawn Grist of Misty Valley Therapeutic Riding Center at 829-6808 or dawngrist@mvtrc.com
Rhonda Simmons
14 July 2009
http://www.starexponent.com/cse/news/local/article/healing_with_horses/39388/
