FALLBROOK, Calif. — Sometimes the biggest surprises in life, start with the impossible.
In this Zevely Zone, I headed to Fallbrook where everybody gets a chance.
At the Reins Therapeutic Horsemanship Program, you'll find a miracle on every mount. "He is connected with the horse, he feels it in his heart," said Cynthia Davis about her son Leo. Every day the 13-year-old gets the ride of his life.
Scott and Cynthia Davis adopted four children with special needs. "People need to be more understanding of disabilities, all disabilities," said Cynthia.
As a baby, Leo was diagnosed with Holoprosencephaly. "His brain did not divide properly in utero into the appropriate hemispheres, but they told us his diagnosis was incompatible with life, so they told us to take him home and love him because he would not be around for very long, I have never heard of a diagnosis incompatible with life but that's what they said," said Cynthia.
At REINS, children and adults with disabilities learn how to ride horses.
This form of therapy benefits people with a wide range of disabilities.
Their current enrollment is nearly 200 weekly students who come from Orange, Riverside and San Diego counties. They also have the help of over 100 weekly volunteers who assist in all aspects of the program.
Executive Director Kaitlyn Siewert started volunteering at REINS at a young age. "I was 11 years old. I came for the horses stayed for the people," said Kaitlyn. "Some of my best friends work here." Kaitlyn watched Leo ride a horse named Flash. "You saw the smile right? I don't know how anybody could see him and not be drawn to that kid. He's a rock star," said Kaitlyn.
When I met Leo, he was withdrawn but as soon as he mounted Flash, he started smiling from ear to ear. "He is confident, he is comfortable he knows his horse and being here is like home to him," said Cynthia.
To think, at 5 months old, the Davis family was told to prepare for a funeral. "It sounds horrible but to let him pass or to bury him with love and here he is at 13 years old and he walks and he eats and he sits up and he knows who we are which are all of the things the doctors said he would never do," said Cynthia.
Leo spends his whole life proving those doctors wrong. "Correct, yes," said Cynthia. "Everybody should just give everyone a chance no matter what. He's an amazing kid, you met him. He is amazing.
REINS began in a backyard in San Marcos, California in 1984 with a handful of disabled students and their devoted parents.
Therapeutic horseback riding benefits almost any disabling condition including cerebral palsy, autism, down syndrome, head injuries, hearing impairment, visual impairment, multiple sclerosis, seizure disorders, speech & learning disabilities, and sensory integration dysfunction. The physical, mental, and emotional benefits of therapeutic horsemanship are numerous. The rhythmic motion and warmth of the horse stimulate and exercise the rider's muscles increasing the mobility of the pelvis, hip, and spine.
They would like to invite you down to REINS to see the program firsthand. Lessons are held Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and Saturday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm with a break from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm each day. Please contact them if you have any questions or would like to set up a tour by clicking here.