Riding therapy on the verge of extinction: Flensburg daycare center hopes for donations | NDR.de

2023-12-05 00:42:53

As of: December 4th, 2023 5:22 p.m

For the children at Kita Sol-Lie from Flensburg, therapeutic riding is always a highlight. However, the inclusive project needs financial support.

by Birte Steuer

Joline is five years old and overjoyed when she gets to ride on Louis’ broad back. For the little girl it is a journey into another world for a short time. The calm gelding patiently lets the little one do as she goes. For Joline, there are moments of happiness when she and Louis become “one” for a moment and she feels carried. This means that the girl with increased support needs can relax and feel safe and secure.

Creating connection through proximity

Brushing, grooming and stroking are also part of the therapy.

Therapist Jutta Pfeiffer brought her Louis from Ireland when she was three years old and trained her to be a therapy horse. Once a week, the kids from Kita Sol-Lie from Flensburger Neustadt come to her in Handewitt (Schleswig-Flensburg district). The little ones are between three and six years old, including children with special needs – for example due to a disability. Before the daycare kids are allowed to ride, they first have to brush, groom and, above all, pet Louis. This is very important because it creates closeness – closeness to the horse, but also to the children and the adults. Children with increased support needs are often shy and fearful at first. Thanks to Louis’ calm disposition, they quickly gain trust, become braver, and have more confidence. They lend a hand, scratch out hooves and want to pet Louis all the time.

Riding strengthens motor skills and sharpens the senses

Jutta Pfeiffer has been working as a therapist for 28 years. For them it is very important that the children get used to horses and riding with joy, ease and fun. Every time, Jutta notices that the children are coming out of themselves more. Jutta playfully guides the children at the Sol-Lie daycare center by, for example, having the kids make a seal or a bird with their arms wide open at Louis. The brave ones even sit backwards on horseback. That does something to the children, says Jutta Pfeiffer: “It improves motor skills, it improves self-confidence, equilibrium, balance, movement planning and so on.”

“Like a little king on a horse”

Five-year-old Joline has been to horse therapy with her daycare group once a week.

Jutta Pfeiffer is happy that the children make progress every time and don’t forget what they have learned. They immediately use it again the next time they ride, or even become more confident and become more open and communicative. This learning success is something very special for Jutta Pfeiffer, like every moment with the children. “It’s just wonderful to see the children beaming on the horse, who come at first scared and scurrying and then think, ‘I’ll never be able to do it,'” says Pfeiffer. “Then they sit on the horse and are like a little king and are happy and beaming from ear to ear and cuddling with the horse and enjoying the situation. That’s just great and that’s great every day.”

Learning for life

The Sol-Lie daycare center looks after children from all educational backgrounds, from different cultures, with different skin colors, religions, with and without disabilities. The daycare provider Adelby 1 was founded 53 years ago by parents as a special kindergarten in Flensburg and is a member of Lebenshilfe in Schleswig-Holstein. The effects of therapeutic riding are noticeable in everyday life, says daycare director Lars Petri. “The children are more receptive and then we can go to various language training courses. Or language units, motor units or cognitive units, where the receptivity is even higher.”

Therapeutic riding in Handewitt is a benefit for the children at Kita Sol-Lie on several levels. The kids go to daycare physically and mentally stronger and ultimately also in life, says daycare director Lars Petri. Riding will therefore continue to be an enrichment for her further development in the future.

Since the riding in Handewitt is only funded this year, the project is now coming to an end. The daycare center relies on donations so that the children can continue to ride on Louis’s back next year.

Further information

This year, the charity campaign, together with Lebenshilfe, supports people with disabilities and calls for donations. more

You can find answers to questions about the NDR charity campaign “Hand in Hand for Northern Germany” and the donation process here. more

“Hand in Hand for Northern Germany”: 100 percent of the donations are used for projects. All information about the donation account. more

Schleswig-Holstein Magazine

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Schleswig-Holstein Magazine | 12/04/2023 | 19:30 o’clock