Title: "Transforming Lives Through Equine Therapy: Justine Williams’ Journey with Rhythm of the Horse"

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When Justine Williams came to Colorado from England, she pursued horse therapy for people with disabilities. “As a kiddo in England, I was one of those kids who asked my mom and dad if I could ride horses, and I’ve always loved horses. So, they bought me a horse for my birthday, and I took 10 riding lessons and worked at the barn to pay for my riding lessons,” Williams said.

Williams said that when she was 11 years old, her friend had a stroke, so she grew up with her childhood friend being disabled. “By the time I graduated from high school, I knew I wanted to work with people with disabilities, and I found out about therapy horses,” Williams said.

Williams went to Budapest to train in conductive education at the Pet Institute. “It’s where I learned about therapy and horses,” she said. She ended up getting married and then came to the U.S., moving to Colorado in 2001. With her passion and education as a therapist, she started her Rhythm of the Horse therapy services in Fort Lupton in 2021.

Williams works with children with different types of disabilities, such as kids with autism, who don’t speak much. “With training, I initiate a lot of language when they are on the horse. I teach them to say ‘go’ or ‘stop’ with my horses, Chloe or Gus,” Williams said. “It could be overwhelming to make the horse move, which is what they want, but they need to say something. So, they’re motivated to say something,” she added.

She also works with children and adults with cerebral palsy. Justine Williams and Karen MacDowell are helping Rachel Sartucci, who has cerebral palsy, with stretching her hands and arm exercises because her muscles tighten up and contract.

“I also work with disabilities from stroke, ADHD, Down syndrome, multiple sclerosis, anyone with neuro-motor dysfunction, and I also work with other neurodivergent issues such as autism and sensory processing disorder,” Williams said.

Rhythm of the Horse also has a program for horse reading for children who are new readers or struggling readers, and can learn to read with a horse. “So, they’re learning to feel more comfortable and confident about reading by partnering with the horse. It’s very special,” Williams said.

William said Rhythm of the Horse also offers its Equine Assisted Learning Program for people who may be overwhelmed in life or have relationship issues. The children and adults can choose which horse they want to work with and eventually build a bond with that horse to get through their fear, anxiety, or whatever they are experiencing.

Rachel Sartucci, who has cerebral palsy, comes once a week for training for up to an hour. Her mom, Elizabeth Robinson, said Rachel, who is now 30, started the program when she was 21. Justine Williams and Karen MacDowell are working with Rachel Sartucci using her voice to move the horse to “go” or “stop” with music, while Colleen Larson is pulling the horse.

“I think the program is helping her not get old and tight as quickly. She has cerebral palsy, a type that makes her muscles contract and not go back out. Her right side is weaker, so when she’s on the horse, it relaxes her muscles,” Robinson said.

Karen MacDowell is retired and has been volunteering with Rhythm of the Horse for about five years. “I’ve been working with Rachel the whole time I’ve been here. It’s important work, and it makes you feel good to help others,” MacDowell said.

Colleen Larson is also retired and has been volunteering for four years, helping Williams with the clients. “What Williams does with the horses and with riders is amazing. When they get on and off the horse, it’s nothing short of miraculous,” Larson said.

Rhythm of the Horse is a nonprofit and offers scholarships based on financial need. The organization applies for grants and fundraises. “We are looking for volunteers to come and help with the different programs. We welcome high school students or adults – anybody who is interested,” Williams said.

In addition, Williams stated that she is initiating a program to find local do-it-yourself enthusiasts who would like to come together and form their own small group and social network. “They could help build and fix things on the farm, such as walking ladders for the children learning to walk or fix a fence, where they can socialize with the kids,” Williams said.

Williams has a large barn arena on her property, but it needs someone to put electricity in it so she can expand and use it on hot days and cold days to train her clients. “I have multiple sclerosis,” Williams said. “Before my mother passed in 2015, she always worried about me working in the heat. I work outside in the heat, which exacerbates my MS symptoms.”

Williams said she hopes to launch a capital campaign to run electricity underground from her house to the barn. “I could have more classes throughout the day on cloudy days and wintertime to get some heat in here and some lights in the evening to do training,” Williams said. “We could hold fundraising events and bring in more fun. So that’s something that I would like to do with this indoor area.”

The services Williams offers include:

• Conductive education, a holistic education with individuals with neurological impairment or delays.
• Adaptive riding for individuals with special needs to learn horseback riding or transition to other programs.
• Sensor integration therapy, which helps children with sensory-processing challenges improve their ability to handle sensory input.
• The Horsepower Reading and Math program combines social emotional learning with academics to support students struggling with reading and math due to ADHD, anxiety, depression, and other challenges.
• Equine-assisted learning activities with a horse, such as mounting or dismounting it, which focuses on personal development and academic skills.

In addition, Rhythm of the Horse offers various camps during school breaks, accommodating school groups. Homeschoolers and emotional support groups are available upon request.

For more information on Rhythm of the Horse therapy, contact Justine Williams, executive director and therapist, at 303-681-8183 or email at [email protected], or visit her website at https://www.rhythmofthehorse.org.