'Hoofbeats' gallops into the hearts of families

Heather Stevens - Spanish Fork Press

Starting out as a home health nurse with a vision to take her hobby of horse riding and therapy a step further, Tami Tanner created Hoofbeats to Healing (H2H)--a non-profit organization for horse riding therapy for special needs people.Originally founded in Saratoga Springs, the group moved to Palmyra, over the course of the last year. In a facility that has seen as many as 95 students in one day and with more than thirty donated horses, many special needs children and adults--along with their families--are feeling the healing effects of the new procedure of therapeutic riding.

It has been estimated that the success and effectiveness of this program's therapy technique is 300 times greater than others used. This success can, in part, be attributed to the equipment used-- such as "treeless" saddles, which have excellent flexibility as well as support for the improvement in the riding techniques of the students.

Karen Holbert, the mother of one of the students and a resident of Salt Lake City explained, "There are a lot of places that we could go that are closer to where I live. I wouldn't be coming all the way down here considering the gas prices if I didn't think it was worth it." Plans for the H2H's future include starting a new research program to map the brain of the riders as they are going through various exercises while riding the horses.

In order to create such a spectacular result the person doing the training must be able to read the body of the person on the horse and be aware of the specific disabilities and needs of each rider. This knowledge comes from knowing horses and having a background in medicine and disabilities. "I'm not only the owner, I'm also the first client," says Tanner.

A victory for Tanner eight years in the making-- this year was the first time that any special needs riders have been allowed to travel with the horse circuit competitions. This long time of waiting has not come without reward. Competing in the Best of the West Horse Show, the riders received many awards for their performances. In Poles, Ben Armbruster won first, Kristina Hansen second, Bill Jolley third, Stacey Liddiard fourth and Robert Adams fifth. Barrels standings were first place Armbruster, second place Adams, third place went to Hansen, fourth to Liddiard, and fifth to Jolley. The third competition competed in at the show was the Special needs adult competition. Standings for such were second place Hansen, third Adams, fourth Jolley and fifth Armbruster. All of these competitors were from the H2H group, virtually sweeping the competition. Speaking her sentiments and love of riding, Hansen said, "Tami told me that you're not a real cowboy until you fall off and then get back on again."

Starting from humble means and advancing to a revolution in the therapy, Hoofbeats to Healing is a place for families and individuals alike to receive help and therapy for special needs patients.

This story appeared in the Spanish Fork Press on page A1.