Loosening the muscles that bind

Horse-riding therapy for multiple sclerosis

By TOM KANE

TYLER HILL, PA - Most people get sore from riding a horse. But horse riding can be very beneficial as a way of loosening muscles of people with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Arthur Goldberg is about to test the theory.

A resident of Tyler Hill who has had multiple sclerosis (MS) for nearly 30 years, Goldberg is opening a therapeutic riding program that can relieve many of the symptoms of the widespread neurological disease.

“It’s called hippotherapy, and is practiced in hospitals like the Walter Reid Hospital in Washington, D.C. for wounded soldiers and sailors,” Goldberg said. Goldberg and his wife, Michelle Sands, own the Fair Hill Riding Academy on Route 371.

The riding academy, which will open in mid-October, will use horseback exercise to help MS patients regain their physical balance and flexibility. “Persons with other disabilities can also benefit, like an amputee, but the therapy is excellent for MS,” he said.

Goldberg and his wife came from Brooklyn 10 years ago and built a stable for their horses. Goldberg, who worked as a senior official for the Transportation Workers Union in New York City, retired a year ago and was informed of the existence and usefulness of hippotherapy by his son, Ben, then a riding instructor in Central Park.

“Most of the time, it’s the father that instructs the son in how to be healthy,” Goldberg said. “This time, it was the son who instructed the father.”

Goldberg will be aided by a physical therapist, who is specially trained in the use of the new therapy.

“The movement of walking is three dimensional,” said Bonnie Cunningham of Jeffersonville, NY. “Horses move through space in the same way as humans do. For those who have lost their flexibility and become rigid, riding on a horse will teach them how to move and develop those muscles. The goal is not to teach them how to ride but how to gain back the complex muscle development needed to be balanced.”

Goldberg, who has hired another specialist, also needs volunteers who are willing to assist. Four people are needed to walk a rider on horseback¾a leader and two side walkers—ensure safety and the instructor, Goldberg said.

“We already have several high school students from Sullivan West who are riders and want to work with us,” he said. “They will play an important role and can learn to be therapeutic riding instructors in the process. We will probably need about 20 people.”

A few weeks ago, he opened a large exercise arena that can be used at night and during the winter months.

The academy is not-for-profit, and will attempt to raise funds from grants and from local businesses.

The academy will be opened on weekdays and weekends according to the needs and schedules of the patients.

For more information call 570/224-0052.