Tammy Hammond, Larry Myerscough from AQHA and Eric Hammond hold the new sign from the American Quarter Horse Association/Foundation (AQHA/F) which designates the Rosewood Horse Ranch as a winner of a prestigious AQHA/Foundation grant.  The grant is for Rosewood’s Therapeutic Riding Program  Myerscough is a Regional Representative for AQHA/AQH Foundation. 

Great Bend (KS)--  Regional Representative Larry Myerscough of the American Quarter Horse Association/AQH Foundation recently presented a special award to Tammy and Eric Hammond, owners of the Rosewood Horse Ranch located north of Pawnee Rock.   

A special sign designating Rosewood Horse Ranch as the site of an “America’s Horse Cares” program and grant recipient was personally delivered by Myerscough.  The Hammonds accepted the award on behalf of Rosewood Services’ Therapeutic Riding Program.  The Rosewood Roots & Wings Foundation wrote the winning grant, which provided funding for program expansion. 

 Tammy Hammond, founder of Rosewood Services, stated the AQHA grant “is a tremendous recognition for our therapeutic riding program, which serves both children and adults.  Riding our therapy horses, individuals work on physical, psychological, functional and educational elements.  By enhancing existing skills and developing new abilities, riders progress through three Levels.  Our Advanced Level is now showing at state competitions and earning top honors for their efforts.” She states that “on a horse, the disabled become enabled.”   

 Eric Hammond, Rosewood Ranch Manager, added “the program is fully certified by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association and classes are held year-round.  It is exciting to see our clients advance through the various skill levels and how well they learn to handle their horses.  Students work on various program elements for the Annual Rosewood Rodeo held each October, as well as for many competitive horse shows during the year.  The AQH Foundation grant will help us expand the program in new and exciting ways.”

 The American Quarter Horse Association believes “therapeutic riding has myriad benefits that have been noted for centuries. Therapeutic riding improves balance, joint mobility, coordination, muscle tone and posture, and it can ease symptoms of a wide variety of disabilities, including brain injuries, multiple sclerosis, hearing or visual impairments, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, learning disabilities, Down syndrome and cardiovascular disease.  It’s great for helping students improve motor skills, self-esteem, concentration and problem-solving abilities. 

 “During therapeutic riding, a special-needs individual’s body moves in a way very similar to human walking. The horse moves up and down; side to side; and back and forth in synchronized, repetitive patterns, much the same as the human gait. This movement improves the rider’s balance, body symmetry, muscle tone, and head and neck control. 

 “Riding is good aerobic exercise, improving the special-needs individual’s cardiovascular system. It also provides cognitive and psychological benefits. Riders are encouraged to plan and execute sequenced activities that aid in information processing abilities. Therapeutic riding instructors use props, games and exercises that allow riders with cognitive disabilities to learn complex tasks on the horse. Instructors incorporate daily living skills and basic education into riding lessons.” 

The American Quarter Horse Foundation began a special program called “America’s Horse Cares” to support therapeutic riding.  The program is devoted to supporting special-needs individuals and organizations that benefit from equine experiences with American Quarter Horses. 

Myerscough, who lives in Oklahoma, serves the AQHA and the AQH Foundation by working with grant recipients throughout the central United States.  He stated he was “enormously impressed with the Ranch and the quality of the work achieved by the Hammonds and the students involved in the Therapeutic Riding Program.  The AQH Foundation grant recognizes the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in the Rosewood program.”  The AQHA and the AQH Foundation are headquartered in Amarillo, Texas.