Horseback riding instructor/trainer Samantha Linger and Emery Rutledge, 4, go for a ride on Star in the arena at Hixson Therapeutic Riding.
Photo by Katie WardSoddy-Daisy’s Emery Rutledge, 4, renews her strength weekly by riding Star at Hixson Therapeutic Riding.
Diagnosed with cerebral palsy at age 3, Emery shows rapid recovery by stretching while on horseback, providing freedom of mobility.
“When we started horseback riding, Emery was going to physical therapy one time per week, but now she goes once every three months,” said Emery’s mother Julie Rutledge. “Her physical therapist, Kevin Kostka of Summit Physical Therapy, is amazed at how well she is doing. Riding stretched out her muscles and built up strength and balance.”
Rutledge said her daughter, who attends Burks United Methodist preschool, can now jump and walk with a brace on her right leg.
“She had a stroke before she was born,” said Rutledge. “She was born at 29 weeks, so very early. Since she was born she had physical therapy because she was premature.”
Rutledge said going up and down stairs presents a challenge for Emery, who had surgery on her eyes at age 3.
Emery, who will turn 5 on June 2, has two brothers, Sebastian, 6, and Atticus, 1.
“She struggles and faces a lot of difficulties,” said Rutledge “She is a fearless little person. She works and tries everything.”
Hixson Therapeutic Riding instructor Samantha Linger works with Emery on stretching while on horseback. She teaches Emery how to touch her feet while on horseback and how to stretch and touch the horse’s ears. Emery reaches for the sky with her arms and lies back in the saddle to stretch her back. While on horseback, Emery throws balls into a bucket to help with balance and hand-eye coordination.
“Even if she is in a bad mood, she loves the horses and they put her in a good mood,” said Rutledge.
Emery said she likes to brush and feed Star, one of the center’s quarter horses. Her favorite form of riding is trotting.
“It helps teach students responsibility,” said Dottie Davis, executive director of Hixson Therapeutic Riding. “They get to take care of something for themselves. Riding builds Emery’s self-esteem and self-confidence, helping her socially.”
To learn more about Hixson Therapeutic Riding, at 6512 Middle Valley Road, call 356-8459.