Emma's Story: Coming Full Circle

Emma was born 8 weeks early and was diagnosed with cerebral palsy within her first 6 months. At just four-and-a-half years old, she underwent a selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR), a major procedure that involved cutting over 85% of the affected nerves in her spine. Soon after, she was introduced to hippotherapy and therapeutic riding as form of support. While previous physical therapy had felt like "obligation," according to Emma, horses offered something entirely different: freedom. "You can feel captive in your body," Emma explained, "But not on a horse. They become your legs."

That freedom was tested again in 2020 when Emma faced another life-changing surgery with a year-long recovery. At just 12 years old, she struggled to understand why she needed a procedure that would determine her ability to walk in the future. After one particularly difficult doctor's appointment, her mother made a promise: after the surgery, Emma could have a pony of her own to continue fostering her love of riding. Emma’s mom knew that riding would not only help with the physical recovery but also lift Emma’s spirit.

Enter Nugget.

As Emma relearned how to walk, she was also relearning how to ride, motivated

by the horse waiting for her at the barn. Years later, when Nugget developed

severe laminitis in all four feet and could barely walk, the roles reversed. The

horse who had carried Emma through some of her hardest days now needed her

to help him heal. Together, they persevered. One of the sweetest milestones

Emma recalls came when they returned to competition with no expectations other

than showing up—and ended the weekend as champions in their flat classes!

Today, Emma's story has come full circle. After spending years as a participant in

therapeutic riding programs, she now volunteers at Chastain Horse Park, helping

riders who are on paths remarkably similar to her own. 

"I was that person," Emma says. "Now I can be that person for someone else." Whether she's encouraging a new rider, leading a horse, or simply offering a hand, Emma brings empathy that can't be taught. She understands firsthand how horses can heal far more than physical challenges. She describes Chastain Horse Park in one word: freedom. It's the freedom to dream beyond a diagnosis, to discover strength you didn't know you had, and to find possibility where others see limitations.

As Emma looks toward a future career in equine-assisted services, she continues

to inspire everyone around her—participants, volunteers, instructors, and

families alike. Her advice to anyone considering therapeutic riding is simple:

"Just try it and stick with it. Horses can heal you in more ways than you anticipate." Through her resilience, compassion, faith and unwavering optimism, Emma reminds us all that freedom isn't about what holds you back—it's about having the courage to keep moving forward. And thanks to volunteers like Emma, that freedom is something more riders at Chastain Horse Park get to experience every day.

Help make stories like Emma's possible by supporting Chastain Horse Park's therapeutic programs.

Donate Today