A Great Equalizer

When Emma Sage was a baby, I remember listening to the Mother of a young adult with Down syndrome. She was talking about her daughters experiences in life, and one thing really stood out. She said that she always tried to interest her daughter in activities that were 'Great Equalizers'.

For her daughter, it seemed that water was the great equalizer. In the pool, her daughter swam like a fish and competed with both typically developing and differently-abled peers. The water was the equalizer. Her daughter also rode horses, and this was another area that the Mother said her daughter was able to participate and compete with typical peers.

I do believe that Emma Sage has found her nitch. She loves to ride. Her riding instructor [who is a phenomenal woman] said that she is just so delighted, because Emma Sage listens [as well or better] than typical six-year-olds and that her intent and focus is wonderful. She only has to explain things once or twice and Emma Sage picks right up on it and is able to execute the commands when requested.

We were blessed a few years ago to have access to [and share] a pony with a little girl that lives near by [except the pony's were kept at a farm about a half hour from here] through a program called 'Personal Ponies'. The little girl moved away last year [and so did the ponies] so we have not had the 'whenever you want to groom or ride opportunity' We are truly blessed that my neighbor down the lane [the one with all the wonderful animal pictures I share in our day to day outings] adores Emma Sage and allows her to visit with the animals anytime she wants [we are like the only people that she allows to do this] and she is going to be riding with Ms. Bonnie weekly.

So I decided that since this is an area that Emma Sage has the greatest of attention and desire, I would contact Personal Ponies myself. We are waiting on paperwork, but it looks like from the note I got from the National Director, we might be sporting a pair of ponies here that Emma Sage can take care of...feed, groom [her most favorite thing to do is brush a horse] and ride everyday.

Ah, the Great Equalizer.

Here are some pictures I took from last week....enjoy!


I love this picture........standing on the bucket to get up higher to brush!








Yup, she is still sporting a plumbers butt!!!!!




Moments like this just melt my heart......she just has such a beautiful relationship with animals....especially horses.







Miss Polyanna......thought I'd take a piggy break




Look at that face.....is she in heaven or what!?!