Equestrian program starts with a dream
By MARY MARGARET PECHT Sentinel reporter mmpecht@lewistownsentinel.comArticle Photos
McCLURE - The Four Seasons Equestrian Program started with a dream.
Twyla Pellman and her sister, Teresa Pellman, own and operate Four Seasons Equestrian Center in Decatur Township, Mifflin County, near McClure, in partnership. Their day-to-day operations involve boarding and training horses, and training individuals, mainly children, to ride.
It was Twyla Pellman's dream, though, to start a therapeutic riding program for special needs individuals.
Last year, Lauren Tate, a social worker who shared Pellman's dream, came on the scene, with her own interest in developing a therapeutic riding program.
"I've wanted to do this since my freshman year in college. I shared my idea with Twyla and she's been wanting to do it. So we kind of had a shared dream,'' Tate said.
Twyla Pellman said her interest in therapeutic riding developed after reading a book, "Hope Rising.''
"It was a book about children that have been physically and mentally abused. It really got to me. I read two pages and I was teary-eyed. What those children had gone through and how the horse helped. I've always had a heart for all children,'' she said.
"These (disabled) children can't do a lot of the things the other children do. The horse can be their legs if they're in a wheelchair, a motivator, a companion, someone to talk to and he's not going to judge them. There so much a horse can offer.,' she added.
So the Four Seasons Therapeutic Riding Program was born. A board of directors from the community was organized, and volunteers recruited for the program. Teresa and Twyla Pellman have had special training in teaching therapeutic riding through the Pennsylvania Council on Therapeutic Horsemanship, and are working on becoming certified.
"It is our responsibility to know about the disability, what plan to help each rider with their goals. We want them to ride as best their capacity allows, to improve their flexibility, their balance. But the biggest thing is their self-esteem,'' she said.
The unpaid program staff includes a registered nurse, social worker, physical therapist and equine specialists.
Because of their disabilities, some riders can't do more than walk. Others might be able to do some simple gaming moves.
Shortly after the riding program was launched, Tate said she went to Maryland for nine months to work with a similar project that already was up and running. She returned home in July.
Tate, a therapist at Junction River Center in Lewistown, said her schedule is flexible and she can make herself available to suit the needs of a child, if need be.
She also stressed the need for volunteers for such simple activities as walking alongside the horse and child.
At present there are 14 riders in the program, ranging from children to young adult, all physically disabled. A component for mentally disabled individuals is in the works.
The horses either are older lesson horses that the Pellman sisters used in their business, or donated horses.
More riders participate in the program in summer, Twyla Pellman noted, although the Four Seasons Equestrian Center has an indoor ring and lessons could, in many cases, run throughout the year. But, she added, some riders might not realize they are cold or be unable to say so, and they should not ride in winter.
In some cases, riders need clearance from their doctors that they are able to participate in the program.
Teresa Pellman devotes most of her time to running the equestrian center's regular program for able-bodied children.
"It's Twyla's thing. I support her whenever I'm needed. And I'm the treasurer of the (non-profit) group. I take care of the money,'' Teresa said. "I just have one (disabled) rider right now.''
She added, "We're hoping maybe someday it'll all be therapeutic riding.''
Teresa and Twyla Pellman's sister-in-law, Jill Pellman, volunteers with the program. She said she started helping because the family asked her to do it.
"The little girl I volunteer with, I worked with her dad. I've known her since she was born,'' Jill Pellman said, noting she has no special training in therapeutic riding, but "just watched Teresa and Twyla.''
Jill Pellman spearheaded the golf tournament project for the program.
Program participants plan other fundraisers beyond Friday's golf tournament, including a barn dance in the spring, Twyla Pellman said, adding, "All these things will kind of help us keep our costs down.''
Pellman said program sessions vary in length according to the needs and stamina of the individual. The cost is $30 a session, which she terms "low average.'' She said city programs can cost as much as $150 a session.
For more information about the Four Seasons Therapeutic Riding Program, call 542-5901; leave a message if necessary.
