Landen rides to a happy life

by Christina Beadle

Have you ever felt so trapped in your own mind that it feels like no one will ever understand you?  When four-hoofed angles came into Landen’s life, he finally felt understood.  An unspoken language is shared between boy and horse.

    Landen started equine therapy early 2020, shortly after receiving his diagnosis of autism with a sensory processing disorder at age five. He was unable to look up to steer the horse, physically hold his body up and had very little self confidence.  Oz, one of the biggest horses on the farm, gave one of the littlest riders a huge boost, both vertically and in his confidence.  This opened the door to Landen finding his soul mate, Sunny, a palomino who retired from being a parade horse. 

    Sunny is mild mannered, has easy gaits but still holds his own opinion.  Landen learned how to canter with proper balance, as well as handle any Sunny “sass”.    At Landen’s worse, he becomes almost completely non-verbal and shuts down.  Some days Landen can only manage to say “Sunny right away”.  Mom knows to get her son right to the barn.  Landen will spend up to two hours brushing Sunny until he shines like the sun.  During these times Landen visibly relaxes and slowly opens up to talk to Sunny.  Like magic the stress melts away. On good days, they canter through open fields as part of an adult trail ride.

    With Landen’s special equine bond, quiet nature, being a blossoming equestrian he was part of a small team to help retrain and rehome a special horse, Tango.  Tango was not necessarily kid friendly when he started working with her. Landen even gave her the nick-name of “Spicy Meatball”. Tango is deaf but has very keen senses to make up for the hearing loss.  (Yet ironically that mare can hear a peppermint wrapper loud and clear.)

    Landen and Tango started out by earning her trust to leave her paddock mates, then building to grooming and grazing sessions. Their relationship was built from the ground up with patience, time and love. After Mom got Tango’s “yee-haw’s” out and made sure she was sound, it was Landen’s turn.  Tango and Landen learned to trust each other and look out for one another.  Tango even felt she saved Landen’s life from a very scary Pilates ball that was in the ring one day.  They worked so well as a team Landen could rest on her back in the field while she grazed.  

 Tango has since found a new home belonging to a girl who is also hearing impaired.  Landen’s pay it forward gift turned into a wonderful girl and pretty painted horse having each other.  Landen continues to enjoy rides and special grooming time with his soul mate, Sunny and participating in equine therapy sessions.  Much of this is thanks to the ongoing generosity received to keep his equine therapy and dream alive.

Thank you GoHawkeye!