History
Judy Clark, at the time a nurse at Georgia Regional Hospital, is an avid horsewoman. In addition to riding and teaching others to ride, she had been working for many years with Attention Deficit Disorder Children. She was asked by a co-worker if she would work with his child who had cerebral palsy. Mrs. Clark said yes and this put the wheels in motion to start a therapeutic riding program. She knew that one of the first things she needed was a physical therapist.
Lanette Yeakley, a physical therapist at Backus Children’s Hospital, had recently moved to Savannah from Texas. She had put in a grant to have a therapeutic riding program, which was denied.
With a little luck, the two met and Horsin’ Around was born on September 19, 2000. Of course it took more than just their desire. Mrs. Clark’s husband Gary offered his help and willing volunteers were found. Mrs. Clark worked with her horses getting them accustom to wheelchairs, a ramp and other equipment, while Mrs. Yeakley began looking for children who would benefit from the program.
The program started with 6 individuals coming one night a week and has expanded to more than 30.
Lanette has since left us and we have gained Becky West as our new physical therapist.
As of 2011, Horsin' Around has become a NARHA member center and is working hard to send our first riders to the Georgia Special Olympics this fall in Perry, GA.
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Our Instructors
Judy Clark has always loved and dreamed of owning a horse. Her first horse (in 1969) was shared with all the neighborhood children. She is a retired registered nurse with 30 years experience at Georgia Regional Hospital at Savannah.(Psychiatric). During this time she volunteered for the Chatham Mounted Patrol for 7 years, gave riding lessons from her home (Clarks Riding Lessons and Trail Rides, inc.) and also taught her sons and several nieces how to ride. She has ridden trail all her life and began endurance riding in 2003, where she has logged over 1,000 miles on her 2 endurance horses, one of which is a therapy horse in the program. She became certified as an instructor with NARHA in August 2005 and is also the president of Horsin’ Around.
Karrie Henry has had a lifelong love for horses. She owned a horse as a child and excelled in the Hunter Jumper competition arena. Her association with horses began as an adult many years ago when she came to Horsin’ Around to help with her nephew who is in the program. Her love for horses was rekindled .Having a special needs daughter who is also in the program had given her a deep compassion for all involved. She became certified as an instructor with NARHA in June of 2007 and has faithfully dedicated herself to teach in every session since.
Michelle Hand also began riding horses when she was young, and throughout the years, she rode with family members who owned horses and leased one for a time. She spent 12 years in the service combined between the Navy and the Army, where she worked in Aviation. She had a renewed desire for working with horses when she was introduced to therapeutic riding through another program, where she served as Volunteer Coordinator for a year. After coming to Horsin’ Around over a year ago, she had a longing to be an instructor and was certified in September of 2008.
Erin Welch began riding as a child, her family owning several horses during these years. In 2008, she started working with horses again when she joined Horsin' Around as a volunteer. With a BS in Rehabilitation Sciences and currently studying Physical Therapy at Armstrong Atlantic State University, therapeutic riding perfectly blends her love for horses and her schooling toward physical therapy. After over a year of volunteer work with Horsin' Around, she was certified as an instructor in April 2009.
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Our Physical Therapist
Becky West is a native of Savannah. She graduated from Calvary High School and attended Armstrong College. She earned her degree in Physical Therapy from Georgia State University and has been a licensed PT serving in the community since 1987. She and her husband, Brian founded West Rehab Services in 1990. Becky stated “I have always enjoyed being around and riding horses ever since I was a young child. I also have a passion for helping people (especially children) with special needs. Horsin’ Around is a perfect fit for me, and I am thoroughly enjoying being involved with such a wonderful program!”
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Our Horses
Whether riding with a Physical Therapist or a certified instructor, the key player is the horse. A horse’s movement is rhythmic, repetitive and multidimensional and mimics the human gait. The ideal horse needs to be sound, strong, and healthy with a good temperament. We have 6 horses of different shapes, sizes and gaits to fit our many different riders.
Thunder is an 19 year old Paso Fino. His smooth gait and medium build make him ideal for riders that need less movement.
Prince is a 10 year old Tarpan, a descendant of the horses the Mongols rode in Ancient China. His short stature, large flat back and slow pace make him the ideal therapy horse. His laid back attitude is proving itself again as he begins to help Poncho with our new independent riders.
Poncho is 27 year old Tennessee Walker. He is a sensitive horse that takes care of his rider, making him perfect for our independent riders. However, he has a weight limit for his riders to protect his swayback.
Cloud as a 17 year old Quarter Horse and is the tallest in our program. His large size is loved by our smallest, well-balanced riders who can be heads above the rest of us.
Dandy is a 24 year old grade pony. As an endurance horse, his owner called him her "Georiga Trotter" because of his love of trotting. He is now slowing down and enjoying retirement with our riders, giving them lots of movement with his spirited gait.
Lucky is a 16 year old Ouarter Horse and the most recent addition to our herd. He was rescued by a volunteer and then donated to our program. After gaining some weight, he's proved to be a well-trained horse with a laid back additude that has integrated quickly into our program.
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In Loving Memory
As we stated earlier, it takes a special kind of horse to work with our riders. Not every horse has the patience to do what we ask and we've been lucky to have some very good ones come our way. We'd like to take this moment to recognize a few of our amazing horses that we have lost.
Comanche (1985-2011)
Skipper (1981-2011)
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Our Sponsors
Horsin' Around would like to take this opportunity to thank all if its sponsors:
Kiwanis Club of Skidaway Island
Chemical South employees donate $96 per week and Owner Michael Gale matches all of his employees donations
5th BIGGE Run in Memory of Lonnie Norton for Horsin' Around Participants
'Ride to Keep Kids Riding' Benefit Trail Ride 2011 Sponsors:
Gullet: $1000.00 or more
Aerotech Machining, Inc.
Georgia Wranglers
Chemical South
Ruby Collins, Inc.
Stirrup $500.00 or more
Byran Co. Board of Commissioners
LoCost Pharmacy
Ashby Kent
Jones Red and White
Ellabel Feed
BJ and Llyod Band
Southeast GA Rustic Relics Association
Pommel: $250.00
Savannah Oaks RV Resort
The Rahn Company
Powertrain, Inc
Hormel Foods
Mark N Dye, DMD LLC
Heritage Bank
Cedar Animal Hospital
John Purdy
West Rehab and Sports Medicine
Horn: $100.00 or more
Southern Eagle Distribution
Atlantic Insulation
Live Oak Children's Therapy
Yates Astro
The Shumards
First Bank of Coastal Georgia
Michael, Joseph and Ann Zaitz
Hussey, Gay, Bell and Deyoung
Camille Krolikowski
Heritage Bank
