AS A toddler, 7-year-old Hope Smith babbled like others her age, then, on the autism spectrum disorder, and became non-verbal. When Hope and her adopted sister Allie, who has cerebral palsy, began taking therapeutic riding lessons at HorsePlay Inc., a miracle took place. “I thought HorsePlay was really just for the physical aspect which Allie needed,” said their mother Kim Smith. “I wasn’t thinking of the emotional impact it could have on Hope. At first she was terrified of the horses. She couldn’t respond to us or demonstrate that she understood we were even around.”
Smith said that everything changed after a second session. “We started noticing the connection she had to a horse named Peck. It was almost like he knew right away this child had no words. But no words were needed. He met Hope right where she was. I’ve never seen an animal bond with a child the way Peck has bonded with Hope. He was the one who first introduced us to our child who’d been locked inside a world of her very own.”
At 5 years old, Hope said her first sentence. Hollie Holder, director of HorsePlay said, “When Hope first came to HorsePlay Inc., she bonded with Peck, one of the best horses God ever created. Over the course of eight weeks, she started saying ‘walk’ and ‘Peck.’ Hope not only speaks in complete sentences now, but she’s also bubbly and kind. She shares encouragement with other participants who are afraid to ride, and her compassion towards other riders is admirable.”

Three years have passed. Hope has found her voice, and the effects of time and age have taken their toll on Peck’s health. “He’s getting older and sometimes doesn’t feel well,” said Holder. “We put the needs of our horses ahead of riding, so on his bad days Hope has to ride a different horse. Before she leaves for the day, she always visits Peck, brings him sweet notes for his stall, and prays for him to feel better.”
Hope’s 8 year old sister Allie is also finding her unique voice — sign language. Holder said, “I love that HorsePlay is not only helping Allie with therapy, but she’s taking the role of teacher. She is teaching us how to sign words, and she’s not afraid to correct us if we make a mistake. I love how confident she’s becoming.”
Sessions at HorsePlay currently span eight weeks and are free to participants. With increased funding and more volunteers, Holder said they could extend lessons. “We want to serve as many children as possible. I get to watch these children grow in confidence, move past their fear of animals, strengthen muscles, learn to follow directions, express themselves, and take on more responsibility with each lesson.”
As Hope now says, “That’s good stuff. Good stuff.” GN