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Little snippets like this email can really make our day. This one is from a mother whose 8 year old son came for his first lesson:
I was so proud of him and he’s been talking about it nonstop since! He truly loved it and I love when he shows some confidence in something, it’s not often, and it’s something we have been working so hard on with him! Thank you so much for everything!!! Sarah We love our Veterans. Thank you, John, for being part of our RideUP program!
I was informed of the Ride up program from one of the instructors while I was at a golf tournament for BITS. As a veteran I tend to shy away from free programs thinking that others can use it more than myself. While that is true in some cases, I thought this was just a wonderful experience every single time I showed up at BITS for a training. All the instructors were absolutely great. They didn't just show you a horse. It was a learning experience and every question I had was answered and followed up with reasons why. I learned how to care for a horse, set a horse up for riding, and actually get on and ride one. I have always been intrigued by large animals but always on the other side of the fence. Here you learn to trust these animals and they trust you as well. You see the caring in their eyes and its a beautiful experience. I have profound hearing loss and anxiety and I felt great at this farm. I recommend the RideUP program to any and all veterans for the fun, the learning experience and all the feel goods that happens when interacting with these horses. I would like to extend many thanks to Melissa for inviting me on this journey and I hope to donate back to BITS as I can.
Thank you - John C. After a week of school vacation, sometimes it's a little difficult to get back into one's normal schedule. Such was the situation with this young one. Texts like this is what we live for... We're so glad we were able to make his day better!
We're sorry to see her go, but so happy to see her succeed!
"Dear Melissa, "Thank you so SO much! I can't even begin to say how thankful I am for everything you do. You have helped me through a very difficult time in my life, and I have learned so many new things through horseback riding. You have helped me to grow and become so much more confident and sure of myself. So now, I am ready to let go. "Thank you, for helping me, teaching me, and encouraging me to be the best version of myself. You are, and will always be, such an inspiration to me! I will miss you so much! And Star, and all of the animals, too. "I will always remember how you've helped me, and when I'm faced with new challenges in my life, I'll always remember your encouraging, confident, and positive spirit that you have! "Thank you!!" -- O.R. This comes from Judy, a volunteer who has returned after many years away:
"We work to make the rider and horse as comfortable with one another as possible. The property has a certain love connection difficult to describe. It doesn't matter what we're doing, it's done with care and understanding. I believe this is all due to Pauline and the example she sets." From Janet, a grandmother of one of our students:
"The happiest place on Earth. Such wonderful smiles from students and helpers, it's one big family of huge accomplishments. My Grandson loves it here. May all of you see the World thru the eyes of these fantastic riders. Walk on everyone..the World is waiting.." This testimonial was written by a 10 year old client who is on a full scholarship.
She's quite enthusiastic, as you will see below. It has been transcribed just as she wrote it. Enjoy! |
We live for stories like these! There are so many who can benefit from being around horses, but can't afford to come. Please consider donating to our student scholarship fund. Thank you.
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"The Story of BITS""Introduction!
B.I.T.S. is in hopinton NH. It is a tharipy horse back riding place. It helps people with some things that are wrong with them. For me, I have axiaty. So axiaty is somthing that you can not control your anger. I still have it. And bAD! I have so much fun there. Chapter One First first day. I had to drive in the car with my mom. It felt like, forever. We finally arived and I met my trainer And my bestest best friend Mellisa. I rode the biggest horse there Star. He was so much fun. We learned to walk, big walk, And halt. I did greatI also did great on the game we played! Chapter two My 4 time there! It was my 4th time there and I had to do a thing called 2-Point position. 2-Point position is somthing wher you have to stand up in your saddle but with your hands on your horses sholder. I did it, I was so happy. Chapter three My 5th time! Omg, I did the best thing ever. I did that 2-point position with my left hand, right hand, And no hands on a new horse Named brandy. She was awsome! Yay i at lest I acomplised the left and right hand. Chapter 4 And now! I am so awsome Now you see me I have rains and I just last week had no leader. I rode another horse named gideon. Thanks B.I.T.S. I never want to leave. I am so happy you are in my life." |
Stories of InterestPeriodically we will attach links here to articles that may be of interest. Click on the button below to read.
The following article discusses the benefits of equine therapy for those with autism, and a possible funding source.
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"Hello, My daughter Carmel H is 7 years old experiences autism, some low muscle tone. She used to do hippotherapy when she was 3 and 4 years old, and enjoyed it very much. I am wondering if you have any availability in June for her to try it again? We live in Concord, NH and are very close by. Carmel has some funding from her area agency and we wanted to have her use horses to improve her core strength and possibly her fine motor strength. Thank you. NV"
We are committed to serving children on the spectrum, free of charge to the client. Most riders do not have alternative funding as Carmel had. Her mom was able to gather the needed MD clearance, and other paperwork, and she began riding in June. In August, I received the following email from her mom:
"We also wanted you to know how much we appreciate everything Melissa, Kathy and the volunteers do. An amazing job! Carmel has learned what Stop means! I know this may seem like a small issue, but it's important for us especially when she is trying to run away and we yell at her to stop. She used the hand sign for 'halt' and said "sto" which she learned while riding Gideon, (her pony), and understands it means to stop."
We are committed to serving children on the spectrum, free of charge to the client. Most riders do not have alternative funding as Carmel had. Her mom was able to gather the needed MD clearance, and other paperwork, and she began riding in June. In August, I received the following email from her mom:
"We also wanted you to know how much we appreciate everything Melissa, Kathy and the volunteers do. An amazing job! Carmel has learned what Stop means! I know this may seem like a small issue, but it's important for us especially when she is trying to run away and we yell at her to stop. She used the hand sign for 'halt' and said "sto" which she learned while riding Gideon, (her pony), and understands it means to stop."
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From a student's mom:
"This program reaches beyond the student to the family as well! The strides our daughter is making is beyond anything we imagined? We are so lucky and thankful for BITS!" -- HW |
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It is so fascinating to watch the progress made by our clients. Dylan's grandmother was good enough to send me an email describing what she noticed in his riding this year.
"My grandson Dylan is currently 23 years old and was originally diagnosed with autism when he was 3. He is a wonderful young man who has some strengths such as fun to be with, likes music, loves to do anything active especially with the family, holds a part time job, is a fairly flexible eater (as long as there is ketchup near by), can follow a daily schedule, and is a coordinated but unfocused athlete. Some of the areas he struggles with are communication, trying new things, attaching easily to new people and situations, as well as focus and following directions for an unfavored activity.
Dylan took horse back riding lessons when he was younger so when he came to NH to stay with me for much of the summer last and this year we decided to put riding on our schedule. Dylan really enjoyed riding at BITS ETC. last year. He knew when Tuesday rolled around and he got up early, into his jeans and was ready to roll well before riding time. It was as if everything was new though ... the barn, horses, instructor, routine of grooming, tacking, leading, mounting, walking, trotting, voice commands, reining .... the list goes on and on. The most difficult skills for Dylan were listening, staying focused and following directions. Dylan did well and showed great enjoyment - the most memorable was openly laughing when he would trot.
As they say what a difference a year makes. I can't attribute Dylan's big gains in riding this year to maturation. Personally, I think he had gotten the hard "getting to know you" stage of learning over with and he was ready to fully participate this year. Having Melissa, the same instructor, for both years was huge. She knows how to communicate with students with challenges, keeps the lessons active and engaging and knows the value and comfort of routine for the autistic population. Dylan would go through his calendar verbally during the week and stop at riding day just to get verification that he truly was going. While at BITS he followed directions, participated in reining and steering his mount, more consistently verbally cued the horse, could groom with minor reminders ..... the list of improvements is really quite long. This was speech and language, OT, PT, and learning skills all rolled into one blissful hour with the horses at Back In the Saddle Equine Therapy Center."
Sandy
"My grandson Dylan is currently 23 years old and was originally diagnosed with autism when he was 3. He is a wonderful young man who has some strengths such as fun to be with, likes music, loves to do anything active especially with the family, holds a part time job, is a fairly flexible eater (as long as there is ketchup near by), can follow a daily schedule, and is a coordinated but unfocused athlete. Some of the areas he struggles with are communication, trying new things, attaching easily to new people and situations, as well as focus and following directions for an unfavored activity.
Dylan took horse back riding lessons when he was younger so when he came to NH to stay with me for much of the summer last and this year we decided to put riding on our schedule. Dylan really enjoyed riding at BITS ETC. last year. He knew when Tuesday rolled around and he got up early, into his jeans and was ready to roll well before riding time. It was as if everything was new though ... the barn, horses, instructor, routine of grooming, tacking, leading, mounting, walking, trotting, voice commands, reining .... the list goes on and on. The most difficult skills for Dylan were listening, staying focused and following directions. Dylan did well and showed great enjoyment - the most memorable was openly laughing when he would trot.
As they say what a difference a year makes. I can't attribute Dylan's big gains in riding this year to maturation. Personally, I think he had gotten the hard "getting to know you" stage of learning over with and he was ready to fully participate this year. Having Melissa, the same instructor, for both years was huge. She knows how to communicate with students with challenges, keeps the lessons active and engaging and knows the value and comfort of routine for the autistic population. Dylan would go through his calendar verbally during the week and stop at riding day just to get verification that he truly was going. While at BITS he followed directions, participated in reining and steering his mount, more consistently verbally cued the horse, could groom with minor reminders ..... the list of improvements is really quite long. This was speech and language, OT, PT, and learning skills all rolled into one blissful hour with the horses at Back In the Saddle Equine Therapy Center."
Sandy
A lovely lady, Nadine, had her first lesson with us and after returning home she called and left this wonderful message on our phone: "Hi Pauline, this is Nadine. I wanted to tell you I came in this morning, Wednesday, for my one hour lesson. It was awesome, it was better than I expected. Your team is professional and made me feel comfortable and I am excited to come back next week!"
From one of our veterans:
"I served on the USS Naval Aircraft Carrier, CVS39 from 1962 to '64. Those were tense times, what with the Cuban missile crises, and President Kennedy's assasination. We were placed on high alert, being at the height of the cold war."
Lonnie spoke of his background of service on the last wooden, "straight deck" aircraft carrier in the fleet. The interview questions I had prepared (with a scale of 1 to 10 for his reaction to his first day) had to be scrapped because all the questions were answered in the superlative.
"I'd have to say I feel fantastic. It was better than I had hoped it would be. The people were fantastic! I felt very safe while riding, and comfortable with the support I had."
"I served on the USS Naval Aircraft Carrier, CVS39 from 1962 to '64. Those were tense times, what with the Cuban missile crises, and President Kennedy's assasination. We were placed on high alert, being at the height of the cold war."
Lonnie spoke of his background of service on the last wooden, "straight deck" aircraft carrier in the fleet. The interview questions I had prepared (with a scale of 1 to 10 for his reaction to his first day) had to be scrapped because all the questions were answered in the superlative.
"I'd have to say I feel fantastic. It was better than I had hoped it would be. The people were fantastic! I felt very safe while riding, and comfortable with the support I had."
From one of our students:
"My name is Brian. I am 47 years old and was born with Spina Bifida. When I was young I was able to walk, run and even drive. Many years ago I lost my ability to walk due to a heart attack.
I always wanted to ride a horse so when I was told about BITS I was so happy it was so close to home. The very first time I was assisted onto the horse, the instructor talked me through what she was going to do and what was expected from me. I won't lie - I was nervous.
I find the staff to be professional, kind and fun to be with. I never thought that I would be able to dismount on my own, but I have. In the seven months I have had lessons I find my balance is much better. I love the horses they are well trained and smart. I really enjoy BITS."
"My name is Brian. I am 47 years old and was born with Spina Bifida. When I was young I was able to walk, run and even drive. Many years ago I lost my ability to walk due to a heart attack.
I always wanted to ride a horse so when I was told about BITS I was so happy it was so close to home. The very first time I was assisted onto the horse, the instructor talked me through what she was going to do and what was expected from me. I won't lie - I was nervous.
I find the staff to be professional, kind and fun to be with. I never thought that I would be able to dismount on my own, but I have. In the seven months I have had lessons I find my balance is much better. I love the horses they are well trained and smart. I really enjoy BITS."
From one of our Seniors Ride students:
"Thanks for allowing me to indulge in my dream fantasy of riding sweet Hurango. ...I think the therapy sessions are better than any pill ... I say that even though I was in the "pill business" for over 50 years!"
Therese, retired pharmacist
"Thanks for allowing me to indulge in my dream fantasy of riding sweet Hurango. ...I think the therapy sessions are better than any pill ... I say that even though I was in the "pill business" for over 50 years!"
Therese, retired pharmacist
