Fostering special bonds through Equine Therapy

A woman with long, wavy brown hair in a green sweater, blue tights, and brown boots squats down to pet the face of a small brown horse in a paddock

Melanie Diamond with one of her horses at Oakland City Stables

RedRover’s Junior Advisory Board gives young people the opportunity to step into leadership and make a difference in the lives of people and animals. One member, Ezzie, is a fifth-grader who loves learning about the human-animal bond. She interviewed Melanie Diamond, an inspiring woman who provides equine therapy for children and adults with disabilities.

What is it specifically that you do?
I run an equestrian center called Oakland City Stables. We board horses and provide Equine Therapy for autistic kids and severely disabled adults.
What inspired you to take this project on?
Horses have had a big impact on me in my life and I want certain people in the community that are ignored and aren’t supported as much as some of us are, to have a place to come to that’s accessible to them, where they can have support and thrive because of the horses.
Why do you love working with horses?
I love working with horses because they are very intelligent and emotional beings. Each one has their own personality and it’s really special being able to work with them.I fell in love with horses when I was 4 years old. I was bullied a lot as a kid and I always felt safer around animals. I’m very grateful that my parents were always really supportive of my passion for animals because it allowed me to make it an occupation later in life.
What makes horses the perfect animal for differently-abled kids?
Horses aren’t perfect for all children. And I don’t just use horses for therapy. I used to have a Weimaraner who weighed 114 pounds and would help me calm autistic kids that I worked with during craniosacral therapy sessions. Most autistic kids have very refined senses so our everyday routine can be tough. The dog would calm the kids.

Melanie introduces one of her horses to a visitor

Do you pick which horse goes to which kid? If so, how?
Yes, it just depends on how calm and well trained the horse is. We require several lessons on the ground so that the kids know how to be safe. We then put the kids on the horses so they can ride safely with one person leading and two people on either side of the horse.

Do you have a horse of your own?
Yes. I have several program horses at Oakland City Stables and we have many boarded horses. All my horses have been rescued from certain circumstances. I use them for outreach programs and lessons because I know their personalities and if they are patient enough for the kids.

How do your students respond to equine therapy? What improvements in both their well-being and horsemanship do you see them make?
I see that they are immediately more comfortable with themselves and stronger within themselves. They start to be better with other kids, calmer, more connected and grounded. I don’t really focus on what someone would think is a disability but I focus on their gifts and help them strive to achieve their fullest potential.

Is there a special kid horse bond that sticks out to you? If so, what is their story?
One story that sticks out to me is about a young autistic boy who never made eye contact. He had a particular bond with a horse named Winnie and one day he walked up to me and looked me straight in the eye and said “Ride Winnie, please.” It was really powerful and special that time with horses could bring him to say something so clearly and of course, I said yes.