Back on Track ‘Horse Therapy’: Maggie & Shiloh

Rescues work both ways.

My equine angel came in the form of a tiny bay mare named Shiloh.

Two years ago, I was finishing middle school, and had zero confidence in myself. I was bullied, and I didn’t have any friends.I started volunteering at a local therapeutic riding center, and I loved it. I worker hard, and eventually rode many of the horses.

Enter Shiloh. I loved every horse there, but the minute I saw the scrawny, wormy bay mare, I knew I was in love. There was nothing impressive about her. She was a rescue, and green. The first time I sat on her, the owner of the place said “I don’t know about this horse, but I want you to ride her and tell me what you think.”

From the minute I sat on her, I loved her, and the next day, I bought the horse. I worked hard every day, riding and brushing. In a few weeks, her coat was glowing from the forty-minute grooming sessions. In that time, we both changed. She happily toted around the therapy kids, and gave me a mane to cry in.

Last winter, we entered her first show, and ended up champion, which is one of the proudest moments of my life. I’m different, too. I’m confident and I know that somebody will always be there at the barn for me.

Here at Horse Nation, we believe that the best therapists are our own horses. We love sharing the stories of special equines and the lessons horses have taught us — email yours to [email protected] to be featured in an upcoming edition of Back on Track “Horse Therapy.” Go Back on Track, and Go Riding!