For several weeks we have researched starting Ilan on equine (horse) therapy but most of the ranches we found were in Chatsworth, Sunland, etc. which we felt would be too hot for Ilan. Last weekend we finally took Ilan to a small ranch in Malibu!
Ilan was super excited as soon as we told him we were going to the ranch. The morning we went, he woke up at 7:15am (very early for him) without a complaint and quickly got ready. When we got to the farm his eyes were wide in anticipation of meeting the assistant that would show him around.
They first went to the chicken coop where Ilan was first asked to climb up into the coop about 2 feet above the ground. He looked at the assistant in disbelief at this request, initially believing that it was beyond his current ability. With a little coaxing and help he managed to climb up. Inside the coop he petted the chickens and coaxed them to allow him to collect their eggs they were sitting on. The assistant then picked up a chicken and had him hold it for a while which he most willingly did and then a chicken was placed on his hat and he was told to help the chicken balance itself there. He did it very well.
Next he was lead to an enclosure where there was a baby deer and two el Pacas (a llama's cousin!). Ilan was given some feed and shown how to coax the animals to come close to him as they were not used to seeing someone using a walker. Ilan was quickly able to comfort the animals and make them feel at ease with him. They were literally eating from his hands in a matter of minutes!
Finally he was taken to the horse corral where one of the gentler mare's was brought to Ilan. We could see Ilan was in heaven as he moved forward and reached to pet the mare. He stroked her, hugged her, groomed her and allowed her to rub herself against him. He spent the most amount of time with the mare. When it was time to leave, he did not want to go till we promised him that we would come back again.
Later we asked him if he had a good time and he responded that it was much better than a good time!
Thanks again for cheking in on Ilan.
We wish everyone a Happy New Year, Well-over-the-Fast and you should receive the best writings for the coming year.
