AUGUST 2009 IN THE SHADOW OF EQUUS - ZAJAC RANCH
Pacific & Prairie Horse Journal August 09 issue Online Feature
A Place of Discovery
By Margaret Evans
“One of our riders was an autistic boy,” recalled Linda Smith, equestrian director at Zajac Ranch in Mission, British Columbia. “He was really shy. He lacked confidence and had little muscle tone. He was 15 years old and was tall but slight. He was scared and unsure and he didn’t talk. But after ten weeks in the therapeutic riding program he came out of his shell. It helped him increase his coordination (and) he was able to trot. He became eager. Once he realized what he could do, it was really good for him.”
Stories of success and self-discovery are at the core of the goals of the Zajac Ranch for Children where young people with serious and chronic illnesses and disabilities can thrive in programs and seasonal camp activities. Skilled staff help to enhance their experiences by offering innovative and unique activities in a supportive and gently challenging environment.
“We have some 600 children that go through here every summer,” said Smith. “When they come for camp, they do riding but they also do many other things.”
Located on the shores of Stave Lake, the ranch offers an impressive array of activities including water sports, canoeing, kayaking, gymnastics, low ropes, high ropes that allow climbing, traversing, and rappelling, archery, arts and crafts, and ball games. The facilities include dormitories, a First Nations village, a dining hall, amphitheatre, and a recreation centre. A 24-hour medical centre offers support care for campers in accordance with their unique requirements.
In the barn are six quiet, dependable senior horses that are used both for the riding session during camp or in the focused therapeutic riding program. “Willow” is a 29-year-old Appendix Quarter Horse who is extremely quiet, gentle, and ideal for first time riders. “Ebony” is 32 years old. Some of the horses were purchased while a few were donated. According to Smith, they are currently looking for two more horses to add to the team. Ideally they need horses that are strong, fit, and exceptionally patient. They will be put through training for the specialized work they will be doing so that they are totally familiar with ramps, balls, rings, umbrellas, crutches, and all the equipment required by special needs people.
“We had one girl who was about ten years old,” said Smith. “She was in a wheel chair and had spina bifida. She had balance difficulties. She really wanted to be able to guide the horse on her own. She was so determined to do this. After her sessions she could sit up by herself.”
The ranch, which opened in 2004, is the realization of a dream of the Zajac family. According to their website, for the past 40 years Mel and Irene Zajac have been raising money to help children with special needs through proceeds generated by the Mel Zajac Classic Golf Tournament. Then, in 1987 they formed the Mel Jr. and Marty Zajac Foundation to honour the memory of their two beloved sons who had died in separate sporting accidents. The Foundation is dedicated to the enrichment of the quality of life and it focuses on people with special needs. Compared to many of the other activities, the therapeutic riding program is relatively new, having started in January 2009.
“We offer it for special needs children with both physical and mental challenges,” said Smith. “They come once a week for ten weeks for half-hour sessions and they work with a leader and two side-walkers.”
While the focus of so many camp and riding programs is for children to have fun, especially those who are disadvantaged in some way, there is an underlying goal that goes to the heart of the Zajac Foundation’s mandate: children need to be enriched by their experiences. It is a huge milestone when they achieve some kind of accomplishment, however small it may seem to others. Maybe they overcome their fear and can lead a horse. Or they get up in the saddle for the first time. Maybe they complete an obstacle course on their own.
Those achievements are threshold moments, a crossroad in which each child comes to a realization that “Yes, I can.” For a little person with muscular difficulties or profound mental challenges, the sheer act of partnering with a 500 kilogram horse so that it follows their lead is a watershed moment that unleashes the potential for so many future possibilities.
“I would like to do more of the therapeutic riding and offer a family trail ride,” stressed Smith. “Not all the kids can come on a weekly basis and ride.”
With the lake, the trails, and the entire supportive network helping to nurture children through the struggles of their young lives, every unique experience is a step forward, a step toward a brighter future.
For more information on the ranch and its programs, visit www.zajacranch.com.
Photos courtesy of Zac Gannett, Zajac Ranch
We hope you enjoyed the Pacific & Prairie Horse Journal August 09 issue Online Feature