Hearts, hands and horses
story by Judy Heidrich
Tim Slater saddles and mounts his horse Big Boy.
His legs tremble as Big Boy begins to walk. Betsy Grewe, director of the Stewart Home School equine program, sees Tim's fear and touches his leg.
"I am right here, Tim, and you are doing great," she says.
Big Boy continues forward, and Tim relaxes. By the time he finishes a lap around the indoor ring, his trembling stops.
Stewart Home School trains and educates students with intellectual disabilities. The sixth generation residential school is home to 350 students from 38 states and nine foreign countries. Though one of many programs, Betsy's equine instruction plays an integral part in rounding out educational curriculum for the students.
Betsy and Jessica Hagan, assistant director, teach grooming and brushing, saddling, riding and horse-drawn cart handling, and verbally guided physical therapy to benefit muscle coordination and strengthening. Beyond the chance to engage with big, beautiful horses, the students make noticeable gains in self-confidence and esteem, Betsy says.
Education is fundamental to the program, but the students have a chance to apply their newfound skills at the Special Olympics. Betsy sets up cones to simulate a course so students can train by riding like they would in competition. In 2015, the Stewart students earned 16 gold medals, six silver medals and a bronze medal.
Many of Betsy's colleagues say she works hard and dedicates herself to the students, who develop a special and important bond with her. Betsy says some of the students may have discipline problems throughout the day and in other programs, but their behavior improves when they come to the barn and spend time with the horses.
"I'm from Michigan and know what it is like to miss home," Besty says. "And being with the horses fills that hole."
Betsy (left) assists student, Harriet Engel, with horse-drawn carriage skills at Stewart Home School.
Betsy (left) and assistant director, Jessica Hagan, come head to head with Allie and Belle, two of the horses in the equine program at Stewart Home School.
Students participate in equine instruction at Stewart Home School.
Tim Slater trots through the barn on Big Boy with Betsy's assistance.
Robert McGurk, a student at Stewart Home School, places his head against Allie, one of the horses in the program.
Betsy and student Danny Dubrowsky spend a moment together in the tack room before the day's instruction.
Students Karen Gause (from left), Brad Tripp, Julie Fennessy and Paul Thorton help Betsy with a bath for Cory, one of the horses at the school.
Betsy contemplates her instruction schedule for the day.
Betsy walks Allie and Belle out to pasture after a full day of working with students at Stewart Home School.