Emma approaches one of her favourite horses, Rio, with gentle words and a smile.

As she comes along side him, she tucks her arm under Rio’s chin and softly strokes his cheek. The horse closes his eyes and if horses could offer a contented sigh, Rio would. It’s clear that Emma is a horse whisperer.

And maybe Rio is an Emma whisperer.

Emma lives with disabilities that have, at times, prevented her from participating fully in her community. She was diagnosed early with developmental delay and had severe speech delay, not speaking until she was 5 years old. Emma also lives with high anxiety and learning disabilities. Emma’s interest in horses began when her brother began taking riding lessons.

“At first, I just watched what my brother was doing. I worked my way up to petting the horses,” Emma says. “Pretty soon I was begging my mom to be able to do more with the horses and started taking lessons of my own.”

Emma’s mom, Nadine, says that working with horses has transformed her daughter, impacting her both physically and mentally. Being outdoors and doing the chores associated with caring for a horse have helped Emma strengthen her muscles, as has riding itself. Her mental health has improved drastically.

“She has developed so much confidence and has really come out of herself,” Nadine says. “She stands up for herself more than ever. We’re so proud of her.”

Emma also receives support from Communitas. Krista is Emma’s life skills worker. In the two years that they’ve been together, Krista has seen enormous growth. When they first met in Emma’s home, she wouldn’t speak much and most of the conversation was between Krista and Nadine.

“Emma’s anxiety was such that she didn’t feel safe being alone with staff,” Krista remembers. “Then all of a sudden, one day, we were meeting on our own and learning new things!”

All of this growth is credited to Emma’s time with horses. When Emma’s riding instructor hosted a workshop on horse massage, she signed up. The instructor saw Emma’s full potential and encouraged her to pursue the skill. One of the biggest benefits of the training is how it has taught Emma to regulate her emotions, a skill necessary to helping the horse itself.

“Eventually, it has come to her co-regulating the horses,” Nadine says.

For Emma, learning to regulate her emotions has become one of the biggest benefits of her training.

“Before working with horses, I had a lot of dysregulation,” Emma explains. “Now, I am able to regulate myself.”

As she’s worked with various horses, Emma has learned to identify tension points in a horse’s body and how to use soft touch massage to help the horse relax. She has also learned that focusing on regulating her own emotions and breathing benefits the horse.

“If you are anxious or upset, it can cause the horse to take on your emotions,” Emma explains.

Emma’s mom is amazed at all that Emma has learned about the horses and also about herself. She believes that the horses have taught Emma by giving her immediate feedback in real time. Emma has had to learn how to communicate not only with words but with tone and body language.

Krista agrees that the change has been remarkable. She’s watched Emma grow from needing to have her mom with her at all times, to meeting with Krista alone in community. Emma has become so confident that she now texts Krista to suggest which café they’ll meet at and can order for herself. She is no longer uncomfortable speaking to people with whom she is unfamiliar. 

“Her growth has been incredible,” Krista says.

Today, Emma has already studied for and received her L driver’s license and worked with Krista to create study materials on horse anatomy. Her goal is to become a fully qualified horse massage therapist and open her own business.

Back in the stable, Emma runs her hands over Rio looking for tension points. She knows exactly what to do. Her breath is calm and steady. There’s a smile on Emma’s face.

 “I love working with the different horses and learning about their needs,” Emma says.

Rio loves it too.