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Kari Ann Owen, From
Student to Teacher, Disabled Equestrian Lives Her Dream
by Jessica Colvin
Jocelyne,
Kari Ann Owen |
Kari Ann Owen
has overcome many obstacles in her life. A sciatic nerve injury
leaves Kari Ann with a limited ability to walk. Previously, she
was breifly confined to a wheelchair. Through weight loss, intense
spiritual healing, and therapeutic horseback riding, Kari Ann
has come a long way.
Nothing has
strengthened her back as much as horseback riding. Now she can
walk without pain most of the time. She only uses her service
dog, Boo Boo Bear, to navigate stairs or climb steep hills.
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Kari Ann’s journey
started when she met Jocelyne, a 20- year-old Icelandic mare with a big
heart and sure step. Jocelyne was giving therapeutic riding lessons in
Redding under Vicki Donovan. Kari Ann progressed in her therapeutic riding
enough to make the transition from student to teacher. She purchased Jocelyne
and brought her to the Double E Rainbow ranch in Sunol.
Jocelyne, Kari Ann Owen and Boo Boo Bear |
Horses
have been an integral part of Kari Ann’s life, and she wants
to share that with others. Overcoming obesity, childhood trauma,
and physical limitations has made Kari Ann very sympathetic to the
plight of handicapped, special needs children, and to trauma survivors.
She is eager to share her positive, uplifting horse experience and
knowledge. She contacted the United Methodist Church volunteer program
as a volenteer teacher of therapeutic riding for trauma survivors,
handicapped children, and children who have been separated from
their parents. She is working diligently to pass the exam that will
make her a certified therapeutic riding instructor.
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With the help of her
guide dog, Boo Boo Bear, and everfaithful Jocelyne, Kari Ann has her lesson
plan ready to go. Her articulate nature and slow, deliberate pace will
be beneficial for her beginning students. Kari Ann is a big advocate of
Centered Riding, and uses many techniques in her lesson. To get the concept
of centered breathing from the diaphram across to her students, Kari Ann
has them practice “Boo Boo Breaths.” Boo Boo Bear, the guide
dog, breathes deeply from his diaphram, not shallowly from his lungs.
His breaths are so deep they can be heard. If a hand is placed on Boo
Boo’s chest they can be easily felt. Breathing like Boo Boo helps
relax a young rider, and a relaxed rider can attain a better, balanced
seat.
Sometimes in the rush
of a “high performance” horse world, the first steps can be
forgotton. The first steps, the truely miraculous action of taking a deep
breath, overcoming fear and past hurts, and swinging a leg over the back
of a live animal is not a step to be taken lightly. This is so especially
necessary for the handicapped and those suffering from trauma
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Partnership in the
arena
It is the all important
first connection between horse and rider that sets the tone, the foundation
of future rides, confidence and trust building. Who better to understand
this than Kari Ann, who has experienced the seemingly magical healing
powers of riding a willing and gentle horse? To learn more contact Kari
Ann at (510) 794-5898 or visit her website at www.bridleup.com
courtesy of Jessica
Colvin and the Gallopin' Gazette
www.gallopin.com
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