Contributed by Hayley Barrett
Wanda is tacked up and ready to go. She waits patiently to be led to the mounting platform.
Her rider, 11-year-old Nicholas Eaton, is less patient. He eagerly urges his mother to finish adjusting his helmet so he can start his therapeutic riding lesson. Ready at last, he gets on Wanda and centers himself in the saddle. With a quick, “Walk on!” and “Bye, Mom!” Nicholas joins his fellow students for a surprise trail ride around the big paddock.
“He used to need me to stay with him.” Nicholas’ mom, Raileen, says with a smile. “He started hippotherapy at Windrush when he was only 2 ½. Now he participates in the Special Olympics—He won a bronze and silver medal—and he represented Windrush Farm at the Groton House Horse Trials.
“Nicholas is my most enthusiastic student,” attests his instructor, Tina. One of his side-walkers, Tammy, agrees. “He’s full of energy. He enjoys his whole lesson, from start to finish, especially when we trot. We play games like Simon Says that build his verbal skills. He has a great sense of humor. He laughs and shouts with glee. It doesn’t bother Wanda a bit.”
Born with an extremely rare genetic condition, Costello Syndrome, Nicholas’ health must be continuously and carefully monitored by an array of specialists. “Like other kids with this syndrome, he looks pretty healthy, but he faces many medical challenges,” Raileen explains, “It isn’t easy for him, but he’s a happy-go-lucky kid. Riding helps his endurance, strength, and balance. He loves it.”