New Horizons

Steve McGovern likes to go fast.\n That's why his favorite horse at Rocky Rivers Farm is Mesa, an animal fond of speed. Today, though, he is riding Don Miguel.\nThe lesson begins with McGovern leading Miguel out of the stall, brushing him and saddling up. McGovern can do everything except bridle and feed Miguel. He's working on learning to feed the horses. \nMcGovern is at Rocky Rivers as part of Jen Lorinsky-Simpson's New Horizons Therapeutic Riding program. Along with an army of volunteers, she conducts hour-long riding lessons for mentally and physically disabled children and adults.\n"I've been riding for a long time," McGovern said of his two years at New Horizons. "I love it."\nWhen the horse is saddled and Lorinsky-Simpson has bridled him, MGovern leads Miguel into the ring and the lesson begins.\n"Steve is basically just here to have fun and learn to ride," Lorinsky-Simpson said.\nFor many, though, the riding lesson acts as an alternative to physical therapy, which is often tedious and painful. The mother of one young rider with cerebral palsy said that while her daughter is in the saddle, she doesn't think of it as therapy. Instead it is an opportunity for her to stretch the stiff tendons and muscles in her upper thighs that go along with her condition. \nIt is also an opportunity for the rider to move in a way that they may not be able to with their own legs. Some of the riders at New Horizons are wheelchair-bound, and sitting atop a four-legged animal gives them the feeling of being able to walk.\nNew Horizons began it's official program in July 1999. Lorinsky-Simpson had been teaching lessons for eight years before coming to Bloomington for New Horizons. \nThe program has about 18 riders and five specially trained horses Lorinsky-Simpson works with those horses to make sure they are calm, sensible and take orders well.\nAssisting Lorinsky-Simpson with the lessons are about 30 volunteers, many of whom come from the IU Equestrian Team, which supports the program. Over the years the team has publicized New Horizons' work through meetings and e-mail. Last year, they also raised $300 to help purchase the wheelchair ramp that helps handicapped riders mount the horses.\nThe volunteers have a variety of responsibilities. They work first as safety nets for the riders. One volunteer walks alongside the horse while another walks in the front to help lead.\nOne of the many volunteers that Lorinsky-Simpson relies on is senior Emily Butwin. Butwin has been involved with New Horizons since her freshman year. Before that she volunteered with similar programs in Cicero, Ind. \n"I am basically in control of the horse," Butwin said. "I make sure it doesn't act up. I also make sure the rider uses the reigns correctly and keeps their balance."\nWhile Butwin's 10 years of riding experience come in handy at New Horizons, previous riding knowledge is not a requirement to be a volunteer.\n"It certainly helps," Lorinsky-Simpson said, "but it's not necessary. We work with some who have ridden all their lives and some who have never been near a horse."\nFor Butwin, though, being around horses is only part of the experience.\n"My favorite is working with the same people for a long time," Butwin said. "That way I get to see their progress, and it's really amazing."\nButwin has worked with a variety of people, including two elderly men. One of them was terrified of horses.\n"On his first ride he just wanted off," Butwin said, "but by the end of the year he to loved to ride. He'd show up with his cowboy boots ready to go."\nLately Butwin has been working with a 10-year-old girl with cerebral palsy. She has been coming to New Horizons for two years. Her lesson focuses on steering and posture, which teaches her control of the animal and builds strength in her back and legs.\nHer relationship with Lorinsky-Simpson and the volunteers is evident as she completes her figure eight in the ring. Under the watchful eye of the leaders, the rider talks about everything from riding technique to her new favorite movie, "Mulan."\n"This lesson is a fun lesson to do," Butwin said. "She's such a talker and really funny."\nThe rider's mother is thankful to the program for its contribution to her daughter's therapy and social skills.\nThat is the goal of New Horizons. Lorinsky-Simpson looks to provide an avenue for therapy that is fun for the rider. \n"We just want to give them an opportunity for something different," Lorinsky-Simpson said. "They can steer this huge animal and be in control"