Rain, rain and then some more rain
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (340019)
Rockingham, Australia
July 9, 2021 8:13am CST
Well, it has poured with rain all day today. We are in Collie, Western Australia, at a Riding for the Disabled day. Thankfully, they had an indoor arena as the rain never let up.
It is a humbling experience to see these children with their various disabilities and how they face the world with courage and a lot of joy. You can see how the different riding games help in areas such as balance. They have to lean to one side to place a flag in a drum; they learn to guide a horse through poles. Some have a leader and a helper each side, and some can manage without a helper.
The horses are sometimes, but not always, older animals and so patient and forbearing. Some started life as racehorses or pacers but have now found a happy niche enriching the lives of children and adults who face difficulties in their daily lives.
We are taking more photos tomorrow and the forecast is for more rain. We’re staying in the caravan and the area is getting more and more waterlogged. Perhaps we’ll have another adventure getting out of the place.
The photo is from today.
24 people like this
28 responses
@kareng (59167)
• United States
10 Jul 21
Thank goodness it was covered! That is a great way to use retired race horses and older horses. They are much calmer and patient, which is needed for those riders that have disabilities. Perfect matches! I hope the rain clears up for ya'll!
3 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (46951)
• India
10 Jul 21
So admirable about these kids performing such acts.
Here we are short on rains and not sure if rains would pick up in the coming days, even with all the weathermen predictions.
Waterlogging can be quite a bothersome thing.
2 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (46951)
• India
10 Jul 21
@JudyEv
Has the flooding been cleared? Looks like you get more rains during winter months than during the summers.
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (46951)
• India
11 Jul 21
@JudyEv
But frankly we need more rains during summer months. Our monsoon rains look delayed again.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54402)
• United States
9 Jul 21
we had rain all day as well (what's left of Hurricane Elsa).
glad they had an indoor facility!
2 people like this
@JudyEv (340019)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Jul 21
@DocAndersen We can't really take photos in the rain but I was able to stand in a shed and get some of the littlies being led over poles. They're up now. 
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54402)
• United States
10 Jul 21
@JudyEv but I love the pictures you get of horses outside, in the water, running by their trainers. those are cool pictures (for me)!!!!!
1 person likes this
@m_audrey6788 (58472)
• Germany
9 Jul 21
It is nice to see them happy despite their disabilities. 
2 people like this
@allen0187 (58582)
• Philippines
9 Jul 21
Hope you continue to enjoy the event even with the rain.
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137259)
• United States
9 Jul 21
I'm glad they're getting a chance to do this. I hope you and Vince are enjoying yourselves...
Please don't get stuck in Collie. (I'm fairly sure the people who live there would give you back, sooner or later, though. 
)
)2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137259)
• United States
11 Jul 21
@JudyEv That's good!
I was worried the next time we heard from you was when you stole a bulldozer and pushed your way out. 
I was worried the next time we heard from you was when you stole a bulldozer and pushed your way out. 1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340019)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Jul 21
@DaddyEvil I thought we might have needed a tractor to get us out but it was all good.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160665)
• United States
10 Jul 21
Sounds like the rain may make all the area a bit "spongey". The gait of a horse is helpful for people who are trying to learn to walk as it helps imprint the movement on their mind. We had kids that we took to learn to groom miniature horses, as they were too big to ride the minis. It was good to learn responsibility. I hope you get some clear skies and have a wonderful time.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (340019)
• Rockingham, Australia
10 Jul 21
They have driving for the disabled too which is very popular - and very beneficial in different ways.
@prashu228 (37524)
• India
9 Jul 21
It's a wonderful experience..
Glad you are having a good time
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (79858)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
10 Jul 21
Sorry you are having all this rain, I hope that sun finally comes out, We needed rain and so we got rain and it rained here all day,
2 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (82798)
• United States
9 Jul 21
What a wonderful experience. We have a farm nearby that offers riding for disabled children. Children and horses go hand in hand.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (340019)
• Rockingham, Australia
10 Jul 21
Yes, they do seem to. The horses seem to know they need to look after the kids - well, some of them certainly seem to.
