Allyson Wesley, barn manager of the TLEC, stands with her horse after a ride around the ring.
TLE Club Offers Kids and Adults Therapy on Horseback
“Sometimes you just have to take it to the dirt,” says Towne Lake Equestrian Club owner Ita Dore. Ita has learned, after fifteen years as a counselor and mental health professional, that there are words that come out in the horse pasture that her clients can’t bring themselves to say back on the therapist’s couch. Up there on horseback, there’s a certain “catching off guard” that occurs that allows grown men to cry, dysfunctional couples to communicate, bullies to become humbled, and bullied introverts to finally learn the skills to stand up for themselves. Sometimes coming of their own own volition, her patients more often are therapy cases mandated by the court—damaged children from the foster care system and angry adults ripping each other to shreds during messy divorces. “You can’t lie to a horse,” says Ita. “They react honestly and give very genuine responses to your behavior. It’s almost if the horses read people’s case files before they come in.”
Healing the Hurt For Both Horse and Rider
If you ever get the chance to run your hand down the face of Patch, a favorite horse at TLEC for both riding lessons and therapy, you’ll feel his dented snout where his previous owner landed a fisted punch. Fortunately, the healing and rescuing at the club isn’t confined to people. They also rescue horses from the Department of Agriculture’s impound program that have been abused, abandoned, neglected, or starved. Together, both horse and rider learn to trust again in the safe environment that Ita and her husband Kirk have created there. Pointing out a stunning horse in a stall across from Patch, Ita says, “That one was actually on the truck on its way to be euthanized, but we saved him.” Looking at that beautiful animal standing there, now with coat gleaming and offering an affectionate nudge, only then can you fully appreciate the magnitude of daily good that comes from this place, these people, and these animals.
Towne Lake Equestrian Club Information
409 Old Boring Lane
Woodstock, GA. 30189
Telephone: 770-778-1146
TLEquestrian@bellsouth.net
Besides offering experiential therapy, the Towne Lake Equestrian Club also offers a range of other services including lessons, membership, leasing, and boarding. They also hold monthly Barn Bashes to benefit the Department of Agriculture and TLEC Hope for the Horses Campaign.
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