Seventeen-year-old Ashlyn first became involved with The Shea Center as a lesson volunteer, a role that led her to see first-hand the transformative impact adaptive riding has on people with disabilities. Diagnosed with dyslexia and learning disabilities in second grade, Ashlyn is now benefitting from The Shea Center’s adaptive riding program as a client. Ashlyn is an avid and conscientious student who has progressed from riding on lead to riding independently, first starting off riding Major for several sessions and is now riding Jericho.

Adaptive riding sessions are carefully adapted to accommodate the abilities and goals of each rider, focusing on improving balance, coordination, muscle strength, and confidence. Our instructors work collaboratively with riders with an overall goal of helping clients reach their highest level of independence in mounted and non-mounted equine activities.

Ashlyn’s instructor, Ellie Hughes, comments, “Because of her extensive work and progress in independent riding, we can branch into the more challenging skills and concepts of working on her position and the independent use of her aids. She is a dedicated student and team player – she and her classmate have created drill team patterns together and are in constant support of each other. Ashlyn’s cheerful attitude and kind disposition are felt by her volunteers, fellow students, instructors, and horses.”

Riding is Ashlyn’s sport. Over the months, Ashlyn has gained confidence around horses and has decorated her bedroom with a Western motif, including pictures of horses. Her mother, Angela, says, “Ashlyn looks forward to riding each week and tells me how her lesson went each time.”

Because of her experiences at The Shea Center, Ashlyn looks forward to becoming an occupational therapist.