Shared experience: Joy Ramsey, Euroa Horse Park owner Vanessa Hawkins, Paralympic gold medallist Joann Formosa and Karl McKeown.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Doctors who told their patients with brain injuries to ‘get back on the horse’ may not have expected them to take it so literally.
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Advocating just that are the aptly named ‘clinics’ at Euroa Horse Park.
As part of the Horses 4 Healing program, the two-day clinics allow people to learn more about equine-assisted service.
For all people, regardless of disability, it provides tools to prevent or manage mental illness, disability and disease while promoting self-reliance.
Unforeseen circumstances scratched the event scheduled for November 25 and 26, but park owner Vanessa Hawkins said participants should saddle up for February 3 and 4 with clinicians Sally Francis (coach) and Kim Slavin (physiotherapist).
Paralympic gold medallist Joann Formosa will assist with presentations and join other riders to ‘gee up’ encouragement.
Rest assured, it’s not just Olympic athletes and associates who frequent the park.
Ms Hawkins’ first-ever rider for the equine-assisted service was a 12-year-old boy born with a heroin addiction.
“He was being used as a drug mule in Sydney and had huge behavioural issues because of his drug addiction, which he inherited genetically,” she said.
“He came (to the park) every week for three years.”
Ms Hawkins didn’t intend to pursue animal-assisted therapy, but her love of horses and 30 years as a registered nurse spurred her career on.
On Wednesday, November 22, The News visited the park and met Ms Hawkins, Ms Formosa and two riders with brain injuries.
Dublin export Karl McKeown came to Australia in March 1989, but he’s the confessed “new boy on the block”.
“I’ve only been here six weeks,” he said.
“It was a blessing of God that I was introduced to Vanessa.”
Mr McKeown was born with cerebral palsy and then had an aneurysm, which resulted in a brain injury.
“Being out on the carriage, it’s solitude, it’s peace. It’s just you and the horse,” he said.
“I won’t say euphoric, but it’s damn close.”
For Joy Ramsey, coming to terms with her brain injury and vertigo was isolating, and she experienced a rapid decline in her mental health.
In her darkest time, the park gave her a glimmer of hope.
“Before I came out here, I was at home on my own,” she said.
“I’d been to Epworth (hospital) a few times — mental health, depression.
“Since I’ve been coming here, I haven’t done that ... it’s really been a help to me.”
Over three years ago, Ms Ramsey pushed her four-wheel walker through the park, ready for her first riding lesson.
But it wasn’t the feeling of getting on the horse that remains fresh in her memory.
She led the gentle giant back to the shed, walker in-tow, an experience she says “you can’t put words to”.
Moments like this make it all worth it for Ms Hawkins.
“It’s pretty amazing where (Jo’s) come from, and I get so much out of it because I see the difference all this makes to people’s lives,” she said.
“I see the improvement — physically, mentally, and emotionally — and that’s gold to me.
“I’d like to let people, healthcare providers, professionals and local government agencies know that many different types of animals can be used in a range of programs to assist people of all ages who are at risk or suffering mental health challenges, illness, physical injuries or even need help with pain management.”
Who knows, equine prescriptions could be a thing of the future.
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