Rustic Renewal Riding (RRR) is a family owned non-profit in Sweet Water, Alabama, operated on the farm of Brad and Leanne Smith, offering hippo (horse) therapy in Southwest Alabama.

Hippotherapy is the use of horseback riding as a therapeutic or rehabilitative treatment, as a means of improving coordination, balance, and strength (New Oxford American Dictionary).

Therapies

RRR offers two essential hippotherapy services, Adaptive Therapeutic Riding and the Horse Powered Reading program.

Through adaptive therapeutic riding, Leanne assesses and works with clients to set goals. One such client was having balance issues. “The horse’s movement actually mimics the movement of the human pelvis, improving the rider’s balance when she’s on the horse and giving her a feeling of freedom, as well as low impact exercise.”

RRR is fundraising for a wheelchair ramp for horseback riding. “This is a something we desperately need. Lumber is expensive! Our goal is to hopefully have one by summer,” said Leanne

Another example of this therapy is a client with speech issues. “I work with the child’s school speech therapist and implement recommended activities. His brain is stimulated on horseback differently than it is in a traditional learning setting,” explained Leanne. “We are working on simple statements like, ‘stop and go,’ ‘in and out,’ ‘up and down.’ Although I am not a therapist, I can work with a therapist to supplement and help clients achieve their goals.” 

“A horse can be good for the mind and the spirit,” Leanne explained. “I’ve worked with adults with physical disabilities as well as psychological challenges like PTSD, anxiety, and stress.”

Horse Powered Reading (HPR)

RRR is only the second certified facility in Alabama offering Horse Powered Reading (HPR), a curriculum built around reading skills such as decoding, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension (horsepoweredreading.com). During HPR there is no riding of the horses, but an out-of-the-box way of learning reading and reinforcing reading concepts. 

“As a class we talk about Magic E, the letter that makes the other vowel say its name,” described Leanne. HPR targets grades 1-3, but can be applied to all ages and reading levels. “I have one little boy who was pretty shy at first. He was having difficulty reading and initially he didn’t want to read at all, he said, ‘I just want to tell the horse about my day.’”

Leanne said she overheard sweet little talks the boy had with the horse. “Being in the classroom was stressful for him, but in the barn there’s no anxiety. He’s now reading with the horses and progressing in proficiency.” She has a “Little Free Library” on her farm where kids can check-out or take books to read. 

She’s convinced that HPR can help with literacy rates in Southwest Alabama. A recent report from the Office of the Governor stated that Alabama is 49^th in the nation for literacy  and Southwest Alabama counties rank among the lowest in the state (https://governor.alabama.gov/assets/2020/07/Longleaf_GLR_Final_Web.pdf?fbclid=IwAR2fuqThZL6JNe6Qcg1Pj9w9W_JwEIzw4De3DSuCJBi93-nVDhIvA96sTwc). 

Beginnings

As a girl, Leanne loved two things: books and horses. She tagged along behind her daddy on their farm learning to ride and take care of the horses. Eventually she began participating in horse shows, parades, interactive programs at schools, and trail riding. 

“Growing up, I had a hard time finding a place to fit in,” Leanne confessed. “I don’t know if it was because I was a preemie or maybe just childhood angst, but I just never felt like I had a group to belong to. When I started spending time with horses, I found an unconditional acceptance that really spoke to my heart. I knew that working with horses as a way to help people was my calling in life.”

Delays and Detours

Leanne’s dream of bringing horses and people together sat on the back burner for a while, as she married and started a family. She received training and mentoring at Red Barn Horse Therapy, Leeds, AL, and Therapeutic Riding of Tuscaloosa. When she was offered a job at Red Barn, the hope of pursuing her passion for horse therapy was rekindled. 

Family responsibilities compelled her to forego a move and remain in Marengo County. 

“I was devastated to leave the Red Barn, but now I can see how God is working in my life through that disappointment. I just decided to bloom where I’m planted,” she stated resolutely. In late summer 2020 the Smiths launched Rustic Renewal Riding.

The Smiths’ children, ages, 16, 13, and 9, help around the farm and with the therapy. Leanne’s husband Brad is making improvements to the barn and property. “He has been tremendous, remodeling and renovating the barn for these services. He’s always willing to pitch in wherever he’s needed. I really couldn’t do this without his support.”

Get Involved

This unique program is always looking for volunteers to stabilize riders, as “side walkers” next to the horse and rider, or as a lead. “It’s a great way for teens to get community service,” Leanne said.

Summer Camps

RRR will host a riding camp and HPR camp during Summer 2021. For more information and details Contact Leanne at (334) 341-9046 or visit their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/RusticRenewalRiding/.