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Western Ag Life Magazine, Summer 2018
VETERANS UNDER THE TUCSON SKY
BY JANICE BRYSON
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I want to introduce you to U.S. Navy veteran Joseph Bailey Jr., who suffered a spinal injury affecting his left side as a result of falling from a light cruiser during a NATO mission in Europe.
In 2012, the New York native arrived in Tucson, Ariz., to enjoy the western lifestyle. He is 66 years old and after his injury, had an anklefoot orthosis – commonly known as an AFO – designed that he wore from calf-to-shoe to support his heel-toe action. Years later, an electric device was developed for his leg that charges his muscles and helps with his left side issues.
Joseph (pictured above and on the facing page) has been coming to Therapeutic Riding of Tucson, known as TROT, for more than 5 years now, and looks forward to his weekly visits. He began by learning to groom and tack his horse before learning to ride.
Safety is always paramount at TROT; a new rider may be assisted by two volunteers as side walkers, who walk alongside the horse, as well as a dedicated horse handler.
Joseph also learned that he should dress appropriately; riding boots have helped give him the same support as his AFO’s only a lot more fun.
While riding, the horse’s four beat walk creates a repetitive swinging motion in the horses back including front to back, side to side and rotational throughout each stride. This motion is passively transferred to the rider, resulting in mobilization of the pelvis and spine, development of core strength, improved balance and increased coordination. The same upper body strength, coordination and flexibility is replicated in our own ability to walk correctly. Therefore, for someone with ambulatory difficulties it is the very ticket to launch steps that may not otherwise develop.
Building core strength is a very important part of therapy. Your core muscles surround your trunk and are at the center of your body. These muscles support your spine and hips, and are involved in performing virtually every movement of the limbs. Having a strong core can help reduce lower back pain because all of the muscles surrounding your spine are stable.
Joseph says TROT has very skilled instructors. He enjoys what each offers, and remembers to always think of his horse as his partner. The training received has taught him how to have control of his horse, making him feel safe and an effective communicator.
TROT Program Director Sandy Webster emphasizes that the instructors only teach with positive reinforcement. They want to build confidence and self-esteem in the riders. Joseph feels being around the horses helps veterans with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Over the years, Joseph has developed a bond with his horse and the volunteers at TROT. Learning to trust again is important and caring for another helps the veterans to look beyond themselves.
Joseph knows that some of the veterans have difficulty even leaving their house. TROT offers the opportunity of a setting to enjoy that is not military. It is another outlet; they have fun with each other and the free cantina offers good camaraderie after the lessons. Riding gives them something to talk about with their families and they have a sense of accomplishment. In time, they should be able to go to dinner or on an outing with their family.
TROT offers a day-camp experience, Kids of Heroes, which serves children from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, whose parent or caretaker is deployed.
Joseph’s goal was to ride in the Tucson Rodeo Parade; a goal that he has accomplished. A recent celebration of achievement horse show at TROT had the veterans, including Joseph, in a drill team and he also participated in the color guard. 594 guests were present to enjoy the celebration.
Long term, Webster would like to have a larger veteran’s program with 18 riders at a time. Her goal is to teach groups of intermediate and advanced riders how to mentor other veterans that join the program. Currently, the veterans who have become comfortable with their horses are learning the art of tracking on foot. The course is taught by Jim Grasky; a Border Patrol legend and a former Green Beret, who served in the Vietnam War.
Attendees are taught that tracking is more than following a footprint – it’s about understanding the environment and gaining the tactical knowledge needed to succeed in the assigned task. The riders are learning how to communicate with their horse as a partner and enabling them to combine their riding and horsemanship with their tracking skills.
This program, established by Webster, is unique in the U.S., and the riders are happy to take the challenge of working as a team and with their skills will be able to become a search and rescue team. Being a member of this team will give them a chance to give back to their community. Joseph headed back to his home state of New York for the summer to spend time with his daughter. Taking advantage of veteran’s programs
in New York; he always takes part in Heroes on the Hudson, where 200 veterans can relax sailing and kayaking.
Each winter, he makes a stop in Aspen, Colo., to ski in a veteran’s winter sports clinic.
Joseph is a member of the Greater Southern Arizona Area Chapter of the 9 th and 10 th (Horse) Calvary Association of Buffalo Soldiers. His riding has not only improved his health, it has given him a sense of accomplishment as his riding has improved.
As a non-profit organization, TROT depends on volunteers to assist in their program. They strive to see the riders become well-educated horse people, and they love it when they choose to give back through volunteering.
Volunteers include Bonnie Beckmann, who has been volunteering for 40 years, and Luke Van Vessem, who built a tack storage shed for TROT as an Eagle Scout project.
