Introducing Merlin, ROSES’ 2011 Therapy Horse of the Year

As a therapist helping special needs children, “Merlin” displays a calming demeanor, patience and wisdom. Clients look forward to unique sessions with him in a pastoral setting, as opposed to a classroom or office. Merlin is a Morgan Horse at Rose of Sharon Equestrian School, Inc.(ROSES) in Glen Arm, MD, who has helped children, as well as adults with disabilities for more than 10 years. His “magic” has earned him theAmerican Morgan Horse Association’s 2011Therapy Horse of the Year Award,which recognizes the “outstanding registered Morgan horse that has contributed above and beyond expectations as a therapy horse.”

“In the stable, there is something about Merlin’s presence that helps people in emotional distress bring their pain to the surface and release it in a wash of tears,” said Joan Marie Twining, founder and executive director of ROSES. “Dozens of people over the years have commented on how much better they feel after just spending time with him.”

View slideshow: 'Merlin', 2011 Therapy Horse of the Year

Show Horse Career

Born “Merlin Tris Don," Merlin competed in combined driving events and judged trail rides. He placed in the Heritage Carriage Class at the Wheatstate Morgan Show, the Horse Trials at Wichita and the Carriage Pleasure Driveat Devon, Pa.

What's more, he won the Reinsmanship Class at the Brandywine Valley Driving Club Showand appeared in the movie Mannequin 2 as one of the Queen's Guard horses in a medieval bridge scene.

Therapy Horse Training

Merlin came to ROSES in 1998, when he was donated by then-owner, Carol McHale, from West Chester, Pa.

To become a therapeutic horse, he had to become accustomed to being groomed, saddled and handled by many people rather than just a singular rider. He also learned to adjust his pace to that of the student, if they were timid or slow.

Additionally, Merlin had to become accustomed to standing between two platforms attached on his left to a ramp, and on his right to steps. He also had to adjust to several people towering over him as they assisted the rider into the saddle.

Merlin learned to become comfortable with any tools or toys that might be used during the lesson; and to having those things passed all around him and sometimes dropped on his neck or down by his hooves. And, he figured out how to control his flight response if something did frighten him by standing still and allowing the instructor and side walkers to dismount the rider if necessary.

“We have witnessed Merlin measure his buoyant gait according to the needs of his handler when being led by someone who walks with braces or canes,” Twining said. “We have watched Merlin, not only snug up to the mounting block in order to help us help his rider mount more carefully, but we also have seen him deliberately “step under” the rider many times if he or she starts to become unbalanced in the saddle.”

ROSES Daily Routine

Merlin serves as the herd leader among the ROSES horses: Izzie(pony cross), Midnight (registered Quarter Horse), Jay(registered Quarter Horse), Cooper(registered American Miniature Horse) and Ginger(registered American Miniature Horse).

According to Twining, “the aloof, professorial air he takes on with the other horses melts into a grandfatherly-like kindness when he is working with children who have disabilities. He is often affectionate, rarely, but sometimes playful, but never silly.”

“When we are teaching, he gives of himself in such a way that his rider feels a special bond,” Twining added. “I can see his big dark eye, rolling toward me, checking in, whenever we are together in the ring, but never letting his rider feel they are anything but fully in command of their mount.”

Despite the discomfort of arthritis and the advancing symptoms of Cushing’s disease, Merlin has a full schedule: breakfast at 7 a.m., students at 10 a.m. (or a nap if no lessons are scheduled), turn out (pasture time) at 11 a.m., lunch at 1 p.m., more students throughout the afternoon or a 3 p.m. nap if no students, and dinner at 6 p.m. He “hits the hay,” calling it a night at 7 p.m.

“I am humbled by his continued willingness to choose to do to the work we are doing despite the predictable routine and the ravages of age,” Twining said. He’s a horse with special needs himself now, but he still takes himself and his work pretty seriously.”

In addition to enjoying his time with the students, Merlin takes pleasure in eating carrots, apples and special horse treats that are not to hard or too soft for his older teeth. He also relaxes to music: a special Janet Marlow CD – with a modified frequency range specific to horses’ hearing sensitivities— as well as Native American flute melodies and instrumental Celtic tunes.

About ROSES

Founded in 1998, the non-profit ROSES offers therapeutic horsemanship programs for people with disabilities, volunteer openings for retirees and others, internship and research opportunities for college students, service learning hours for middle and high school students, and remediation classes for students academically at risk, as well as workshops and projects for Scouts.

ROSES has established partnerships with numerous organizations seeking to either serve or learn about individuals with disabilities, including: Baltimore County Public Schools ~ Infants and ToddlersProgram; Autism Program, Students with Disabilities, Student Service Learning, Post Secondary Vocational Placement Program; Towson University ~ Occupational Therapy Internships, Family Studies and Community Development Internships; Sheppard Pratt’s Forbush School ~ Autism Program and Emotional Disorders; The ARC of Baltimore, and Girl Scouts of America.

Situated on 12 acres of farmland adjacent to Gunpowder State Park, ROSES serves students from Baltimore County, Baltimore City and the surrounding areas. A capital campaign is underway to finance the completion of a $365,000 all-season, indoor riding arena, which will allow ROSES to triple the number of students it serves.

Students will be able to develop their skills in the arena’s insulated riding space regardless of weather. The arena also will include a classroom and family observation/waiting area and restroom. Overall, the facility will house a variety of functions including: individual lessons and student exhibitions, informational workshops and educational seminars, team building activities and after-school programs.

For more information about ROSES or to contribute to the capital campaign, contact 410-592-2562 or www.roseofsharonschool.org.

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