We are a family of 3 - myself, my husband and our 4 year old son, Oak, who has autism. We went on our first horse boy camp in Oct 09 and I'm not exagerating when I say it actually changed our lives!

We were a little doubtful about attending at first: we didn't know what to expect or whether Oak would enjoy the experience, but we finally decided that we should 'go for it', and see what happened. We felt that not to go would lead to 'what ifs' and we would always be wondering.

We arrived at the camp and after having a walk around the farm and meeting the 4 horses, Stella, Katie, Lucy and Taffy, we settled in the barn, where a fire was lit and seemed to never go out for all the time we were there! Oak was quite happy, playing with the various toys there.

On the October camp in Scotland, one day Oak decided he wasn’t coming out to see the horses – he just was not interested...  So we decided that ‘Buddy’ who was not only Oaks favourite horse but is a rather large Clydesdale stallion should perhaps make a house call...

We went ot the shops and bought carrots and then whilst Oak was in the house we took Buddy round and taught him to ring the door bell (a big old fashioned bell with a rope).  We shouted on Oak to have him come downstairs to see who was at the door and when Rowen, Oaks Mum opened the door we walked Buddy into the house to the bottom of the stairs.  Oak was delighted because Buddy asked him to come and play and so to get Oak out we told him Buddy wanted help to eat his carrots – so Oak came out side to feed him.

Prior to visiting Summit Equine Assisted Therapy at Ruff Ranch, my experiences with horses and my son had not been the least successful. I am so grateful to have met Michelle and Jessica, and that together we are really onto something good here with my son.

In the Fall of 2009, visited a therapy center in Portland with every hope that it was going to be a magical connection and fun day, it started out that way at least. Will was looking at the horses in the pasture and they were looking at him and then it was time to go into the barn. He had one of the worst tantrums in public EVER! It was traumatic for both of us. But, I am persistent and decided to try it again another day. This time he wouldn’t leave the exciting gravel parking lot, and would not even look at horses in the pasture. So I gave up on horses, for awhile.

I found a stable near my house that allowed us to visit, but once again he would not enter the barn. The horses were poking their heads out looking at HIM!  And one day down at the Eastbank Esplanade there were two Portland Police Officers on horseback, he would not even look at the horses, so I really did give up.

Until this September, when I took Will out to Summit. They let Will check out the whole ranch and play with the gate, play with the office door and check out the porta-potty. They brought Gary the horse to Will. My daughter and I touched Gary, and pretty soon Will walked backwards up to Gary and rubbed up against him. I could have cried! They proceeded to play peek-a-boo with the office door and the porta-potty. Will tolerated Gary being in his face and was giggly and laughing the whole time. Success!

The second visit happened at the end of The Horse Boy Method training clinic that was held at Ruff Ranch Stables. Once again Jessica and Michelle followed Will’s lead. They put my daughter up on a horse and we tried to get Will up there with her. He would stay for about 2 seconds and then want down. We played chase with my daughter up on the horse. At this point I felt we had about a 3% chance of getting Will up on a horse.

Scott came to one of the Cornwall camps in May 2010.

Upon arrival at the camp it soon became apparent that he wasn't really interested in the horses and instead was motivated by water. H

is parents were very keen to get him on a horse so we decided to simply use the horse as the means for him to get to where he really wanted to be...a nearby stream. Once at the stream scott got down from the horses and began to play very happily in the water. 

Scott repeatedly threw water in the air with his hands and every 4/5 throws would shout with happiness.