Luke helps verbal communication!!

[gone24now]

We purchased a new gelding a couple of months ago for our family. I bought him for a few reasons: 1) I wanted to buy my first horse, 2) Use him for lead lining my autistic son Nathan, 3) To have my 2 other children learn about responsibility, and caring and maintenance of an animal, and also for them to have riding lessons on.

Everything has been going great! We found an absolute diamond. Excellent all around! But the greatest thing is that my son Nathan has a new best friend. Luke follows him around like a puppy dog everywhere without a halter or line. It is quite a sight to see, it brings tears of joy to my eyes. But what is most overwhelming is how much Luke has jump started Nathan's verbal communication. He is apraxic as well which brings more challenges for him, but lately I'm hearing a ton of words at the barn. He goes around and says hi to all the horses using their names, then he gets the saddle and I lunge him on Luke. We stand not moving and Nate will say "Walk on", Luke does as he's told without reining or leg aids at all, all verbal from Nathan. Then he'll say Terrot, and such a light slow trot Luke will do, and "Ho" will stop him. Lately I'm hearing giggles and the word fast :eek:, and I'm thinking Nathan wants him to run, OMG! These animals are amazing creatures and just this one horse and our barn has improved his verbal skills 100 fold over only the last 2 months. Incredible. Here's some pics of the two:)

[horse_crazy]

o how cute is that! your horse sounds just gorgess! what a very speshal horse you have. I wish I could se the pictures!

[stormy's mum]

aww that is great to see he looks and sounds like a special horse your son looks very happy

[ShariN]

That is wondeful and sounds like your DS is doing great with him.

I find Voice commands a good thing...though I have to also giggle at him wanting his horse to go faster. :D Looks like you have a good match for your son and like really like each other.

[ina.click]

Dear horse_crazy

I am not sure if this helps you or annoys you, but every time you wish you could see a picture you could send me a message and I will right away "read" them to you, describing them as best as I can figure.

For example in this thread:
First picture shows Nathan riding Luke. Luke is a chestnut horse, medium sized. His whole appearance is gentle and very neat, he is very nicely groomed. They sit in an outdoor arena in a sunny day and some trees can be seen in the background. The horse's ears are directed to Nathan, and the boy seems very relaxed and confident.

Second picture shows Nathan giving Luke a treat from his hand. They're in the stable, a sunny clean stable as well. Luke seems medium sized, compared to Nathan and they both seem relaxed and enjoying their moment. Nathan looks towards his hand where he is holding Luke's treat.

In the rest of the two pictures, Nathan and Luke are outside. Luke has nothing but a strap around his neck and is munching a treat as well. Nathan is near him and the horse is watching him gentle and calm.


To the rest of the riders: I really am not trying anything except to help horse_crazy to see the horses too.

T0 horse_crazy: I really hope you're still around and reading this because i really intend to "read" all the pictures you want to see. I admire you very much and I truly believe all your dreams related to horses will come true!
I would feel honored to be your picture-reader.

[palmerlover52]

That's a really lovely idea ina.click

And those photos are BEAUTIFUL.......actually brought a tear to my eye, you must be so proud.
I wish you all the best
xx

[FILLYSIRE]

Agree with you 100% that horses are amazing creatures. Our 4 year old daughter has CP (cerebral palsy) and has been getting Hippotherapy for 5 months now and has become much more verbal. Hope to purchase a horse too so that she can be around horses more than just once a week. Thanks for the thread.

[rhsw]

Puts a smile on my face, :) Good on you all. And best of wishes.

[Skippys Mum]

Lovely. Good luck to all of you.

Threads like this make me realise just how lucky I am and make me sit up and appreciate it:)

[Joyscarer]

This is a very old thread. I wonder what has been happening in the nearly a year since it was posted.