DDD Member Turned Equestrian Builds Confidence, Strength
Momma Bear (left), Josie, and Tiffany looking Momma Bear squarely in the eye.
Tiffany Bracken loves dogs. In fact, she even toyed with the idea of becoming a veterinary assistant. “I’m not a big fan of horses,” said Tiffany. “I’ve been a dog person all my life.” Tiffany’s mom, Alisa Nelson, grew up with horses and wanted her daughter to try horseback riding so the two could have fun riding the trails together.
Tiffany receives habilitation services from the DES Division of Developmental Disabilities, which help her to socialize and communicate with others. But her greatest accomplishments so far come from her time spent with horses. According to Alisa, “It’s the coolest thing!” There’s been “a dramatic gain in her confidence, she sleeps better at night, and started asking for more.”
Wearing a DDD Medallion bracelet on her left wrist, Tiffany gives Momma Bear a smooch.
Tiffany’s introduction to horseback riding was with a horse named Josie. Alisa purchased Josie from a private owner who was “waiting for the right person.” It turns out Tiffany was the right person. Josie walked up to Tiffany then followed her around. “There was a connection right away,” said Alisa.
Alisa describes Josie as “a little bit of a wild thing. [However,] she was amazing with Tiffany. When Tiffany would get on her, Josie’s demeanor would change.” But when anyone else would get on Josie, she was “much more of a horse. “Tiffany would see that, and so Tiffany became a little apprehensive. At that point, we brought Brandon into the picture.”
Tiffany introduces Momma Bear to her dog, Manley.
A professional horse trainer, Brandon Paul, owner of Firm Foundation Equine Services, found the perfect horse for Tiffany; a wild mustang named Momma Bear. With full trust in Brandon, Alisa and Tiffany drove to Florence to purchase Momma Bear “sight unseen.”
“She’s a bomb-proof horse,” said Tiffany. In the horse world, “bomb-proof” means that she’s a safe, tame horse. One of Momma Bear’s talents is to calm and soothe Tiffany when she’s feeling anxious. “Momma Bear helps me to be more positive about things,” explained Tiffany.
Another benefit Momma Bear provides Tiffany is strength training, stretching, and balance training. Tiffany provides this example: “When [back pain from] my scoliosis flares up, I’ll get on Momma and she’ll stretch me out. She finds these trigger points [or] muscle spasms. If my back were to curve a certain way, she’ll straighten it out; Momma will stretch me out.”
Tiffany at home with her dog, Manley.
Of course, riding Momma Bear provides a full-body workout, strengthening muscles and bones. “She is, in other words, a calcium horse,” said Tiffany. On one occasion, Brandon had Tiffany ride with her eyes closed to test her skills in balance. All in all, Tiffany is having fun while working out.
The best part is taking the horse out on the trail. “Oh man, she’s awesome with that [the trails],” said Tiffany. During the heat of Arizona’s summer months, the horses and riders confine themselves to the ranch for some “ground work.” Alisa and Tiffany will lead the horses around the property, introduce Momma Bear and Josie to the other horses and a donkey, to help build their confidence at their new home.
Tiffany was presented with a “Cowgirl Up” belt buckle in honor of completing her training.
After a few months of training sessions, with “Mr. Brandon,” Tiffany is now a full-blown cowgirl, and is training her horse, Momma Bear, to “become a special needs horse, not only for myself, but for other people.” This vision may lead to Tiffany establishing a small business. This is where her DDD habilitation services will be especially helpful, as she’ll be better able to communicate and socialize with her special needs clients.
While Tiffany continues building her skills, her vision is that she and Momma Bear will help others with special needs. “I’m hoping she’ll [Momma Bear will] be part of somebody else’s life, not just in my own life,” said Tiffany. “To share some peace with other people.”