LINN  — Healing Horses Therapeutic Riding Program Executive Director Amy DeCramer is pleased with the support the Linn organization continues to receive, the latest being another feed donation.

“I appreciate the donation, which really helps,” said DeCramer, who leads the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Linn VFW Post 4756 donated $500 worth of feed to the nonprofit, while Purina and Osage Feeds joined forces and donated another $500 in feed with a store credit. DeCramer noted that Purina also donated an additional $1,000, for a total of $2,000 in feed.

On Saturday, Sept. 28, Healing Horses held its annual Fun Show to showcase the skills participants have learned on horseback. Many of the organization’s 112 clients were present for the occasion and took part in barrel racing, pole bending, an obstacle course, a flag race, a plug race, vaulting, and a trick-riding performance. Five girls offered a flag performance in honor of military veterans.

DeCramer began the annual Fun Show tradition to allow everyone a chance to show off what they’ve learned. The event opened with a therapeutic show in which both children and adults with disabilities and children in foster care participate. 

“The whole idea was for them to be able to be part of a show and something big because they may not have it otherwise,” she said. “They work very hard, and some have been with me for two years and never really get a chance to show off. Other kids get the chance all the time, with things like coach pitch and other sports. Disabled kids don’t have those kinds of opportunities very often.”

Following the therapeutic events, a trick-riding performance was held, after which able-bodied riders competed. Therapeutic riders chose three events, and able-bodied participants selected two. All participants in the therapeutic show were recognized with a ribbon after each show.

In March 2005, DeCramer was certified as a therapeutic riding instructor through the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) and, in May of that year, earned a degree in animal science with an emphasis in equine science at Lincoln University. She opened Healing Horses in 2007, and the nonprofit has grown over the last 17 years.

DeCramer said the goal of therapeutic riding is to promote independence and improve physical and mental health. Some of the benefits are increased self-confidence and self-control, improved muscle tone and coordination, and improved peer interactions.

During the first half-hour of riding, the body receives 3,000 muscle impulses from virtually every muscle.

“You use a lot of muscles to ride horses even though it doesn’t look like it,” said DeCramer. “So during an hour of therapy, these kids get a lot of exercise. Some children get more out of the exercise in this environment than other physical therapy.”

In addition to the physical benefits, DeCramer said there are emotional pluses.

“There are kids who have autism or other problems that react to frustration with anger, and the horses are just magic for them,” said DeCramer. “The kids come to trust the horses. It’s huge for many of them. There is a special bond that develops between the animals and these kids, and it’s really neat to see.”

The therapeutic program at Healing Horses is designed for individuals with cognitive, physical, and emotional disabilities. Such disorders include autism, developmental delay, cerebral palsy, crown syndrome, multiple sclerosis, stroke, spina bifida, and muscular dystrophy.

The show was a great event for these kids.

“They have been working on this for a long time, trying to make everything perfect for their families,” said DeCramer. “Some of the kids were so nervous about remembering all the elements of their event. And when they finished, they had the biggest smiles on their face. It was just so neat.”

DeCramer noted she has 107 riders ranging in age from 18 months to 80 years and five veterans.

“Doctors and physical therapists are sending kids with cerebral palsy to us sooner because a lot of them can’t walk, and their hips scissor because their muscles get so tight,” DeCramer explained. “The more they ride, the more it helps them learn how to walk because the movements are so much the same.”

The youngest participant rode in the Fun Show with Healing Horses employee  Haley Wibberg and part-time colleagues Faith McKim and Austin DeCramer, who led and assisted. “Haley sits on the horse with him for support, so he gets the core exercise he needs,” she added.

Irene Tyndall, who lives near Crocker, is the oldest rider in the program. DeCramer said she began riding at Healing Horses after surviving a stroke. “She grew up with horses, but after the stroke, she couldn’t use the left side of her body,” said DeCramer, adding she was grateful Tyndall participated in the fun show. “They drive an hour and a half every week to Linn to ride. Her daughter brings her to lessons, and Irene is an inspiration to me. I hope I’m riding when I’m 80.”

Healing Horses also offers therapeutic riding lessons to veterans with disabilities or who are suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) at no charge. The program has been in place for several years, but DeCramer is the first to admit that it is a struggle to get veterans to come out and try it.

“Most of them are pretty stubborn,” DeCramer said of veterans. “It’s just a hard group to get, but once we get them here and they try it, they love it and are here all of the time.”

DeCramer says that not all horses are cut out to be therapy horses. Those in the program go through a six-month training and desensitizing regimen to prepare them to become therapy horses. After the extensive training process, the horses are slowly introduced to therapy lessons.

In addition to her role as executive director, DeCramer is a primary instructor, supported by part-time instructors Amy Keilholz and Haley Weinberg. DeCramer and Keilholz hold certifications through the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) — the professional association of therapeutic Horsemanship International formerly called NARHA — and complete continuing education to stay up to date with therapeutic instruction. DeCramer often works more than 80 hours a week, but she wouldn’t trade it for anything. “I’m living my dream,” she said. “Not many people can say that.”

To make the show a success, DeCramer received a lot of help from many parents and volunteers and donations from numerous members of the Linn community.

“I really appreciate all the effort that went into this,” she said. “We couldn’t have done it without their help.”

Healing Horses’ three-year Neighborhood Assistance Program grant for tax credits expired on Sept. 30, and another round begins in January.

“We pretty much keep our doors open through grant funding and fundraising,” said DeCramer.

She noted that a NAP construction grant allowed her to build the barn and keep the program running year-round.

The indoor arena can be heated to 53 degrees throughout the winter, so DeCramer and her staff can continue riding lessons in snow, rain, or cold.

Grant funding helps keep the cost of riding lessons low so that anyone who wants to participate can. It also supports partial scholarships for families in need and free participation for children in foster care.

“We apply for a lot of grants all year long,” DeCramer said. “Some of them we get, and some of them we don’t, but we just keep applying.”

DeCramer also relies on the Fun Show and a March 1 dinner dance at Ely Manor to generate funds.

“We don’t do a lot of fundraising because it’s difficult for local businesses to take care of everyone who asks for help. Many of them get an ask for something every day, and there’s only so much to go around.” Decramer says she’s thankful for the support the program receives from the community and looks forward to continuing the mission with that support.

For more information about Healing Horses or to donate or volunteer, contact DeCramer at 573-579-5091 or visit https://www.facebook.com/HealingHorsesMissouri or https://healinghorsesmo.com.