FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
SIDELINES NOVEMBER 2013 89
Erick giving Steppin’ treats, one of his favorite activities.
Good Hope Equestrian Center
When Peggy Bass’ friend asked her if she would be willing
to use horses to help her daughter who was diagnosed
with Cerebral Palsy, it ignited the idea to found Good Hope
Equestrian Center inMiami, Florida. The center was established
in 1999 with the hopes of reaching out to the community to help
those in need.
In 2010, Peggy was approached by the VA and established
the Horses Helping Heroes program. Because her father had
been in the Navy, she had experience with the military lifestyle
and ramifications of war, so she was excited to help veterans
in need.
“The nonjudgmental nature of a horse, and being in a very
peaceful setting, really helps the person working with the horse
to blossom, relax and unwind,” she said. “The horses also
have a three dimensional adjustable gait which provides the
rider strength and improves their balance, coordination and
confidence.”
Peggy believes that programs like Horses Helping Heroes
can make a major difference in the heroes’ healing. “I personally
have seen it while working with these veterans. When they get
off a horse they are so challenged. They sit upright more, they
are able to stand upright better and they have reported that it
has lasted a couple of days after their session,” she said.
Today, Good Hope serves more than 200 veterans – in
addition to hundreds of other youth and adults in her therapeutic
riding program. For more information about Good Hope
Equestrian Center, or to donate to their cause, visit
.
org or call 305-258-2838.
Good Hope Equestrian Center founder and director Peggy
Bass with Lady Bug, a therapy horse
programs are good for. For people like Erick, going from an active
lifestyle to being limited to a wheelchair with some walking, these
programs do much more. “By having these types of programs
it really helps create that confidence that they’re no barriers in
their life because they can continue to live to the most that they
possible can and have a great quality of life,” Brooke said.
She continued, “People have a connection to animals. Even if
they are not riding, they are out there washing the horse or doing
grooming activities and they are really challenged. It helps them
overall mentally and physically.”
Erick would agree. For him, it’s not only about been surrounded
by a peaceful setting and having a workout. Good Hope has also
become a home away from home and horses have become a
passion. “I don’t know what happened to me,” he said. “I tried it
and I liked it. I think at Good Hope I felt welcome and free and I
could do what I wanted to do, but at the same time feel safe. I
know I need to work and everything, but I think I should still be
able to have fun and that’s why I continue to do it.”
Whether he’s riding or just enjoying the atmosphere, Erick says
he loves every second of his time spent at Good Hope. He says
his favorite horse is Steppin. Unfortunately, Steppin is no longer
at Good Hope, but while he was, Erick rode him all the time. Erick
said that Steppin challenged him, but never made him feel unsafe.
As much as Erick is thrilled to have Good Hope, Good Hope is
just as thrilled to have him. “He’s got a smile that could light up
the world, a great sense of humor and a determination to move
on,” Peggy said. “There’s a lot to learn from individuals who have
gone through so much, but still have a smile on their face and an
optimistic outlook on life.”
Because Erick plans on making horses a permanent part of his
life, Erick will keep getting better – and will continue to inspire
others to keep moving on.
About the writer: Dani Moritz is a graduate of William Woods University with
majors in Equine General Studies and Communications and is currently pursuing
a Masters In Strategic Leadership at Stephens College. She is very happy to be a
staff writer and distribution manager for Sidelines Magazine and the proud owner of
a beautiful Paint/Arabian mare named September. She is also the 2012 American
Horse Publications Student Award winner.
