The Healing Power of Horses

Annemari Ingersoll, Dressage Rider and Survivor

Oak Grove, Virginia

Annmari Ingersoll, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2009, used the Ride for Life as a goal during all her treatment. She had three surgeries in 2009 and is still getting massage therapy, acupuncture and working on recovering her stamina. “The cancer was not fun, but I never have to hear the words ‘you have breast cancer’ again.” (During the Ride for Life last year) she had help coping with the stall set up and with the heat from her friends in the St. Mary’s chapter of PVDA and her sister and the kids who board at her sister’s barn. They even decorated her stall, winning 6th place in the stall contest. “Through it all, and during this show, I had so many family and friends pulling for me,” Annmari said.

During her recovery, she rode a quarter horse who was a caring soul. He allowed her to drop the reins if her arms got tired. Her 9 year old Dutch Warmblood gelding Rudy was “He’s inventive,” Annmari explained. She’s had help with Rudy from Steuart Pittman and during her recovery Steuart took over the ride on Rudy. She has also had clinics with Lisa Wilcox and Linda Zang. However Rudy came through at the Ride for Life in Training Level Test 4 and First Level Test 4 earning four scores in the 60s and winning First Level Test 4 in the indoor ring on Sunday with 62.8%. “It was late in the day Sunday [for that test], and I was determined to wear my coat even though it was over 100 outside. I have watched the video of that ride about a hundred times. I’m so proud of that score! When I finished there was cheering because I had an entourage!”

Annmari hails from Oak Grove, Virginia on the Northern Neck. “Our little town is near Colonial Beach and we have a Winery – Ingleside Vineyards, and a wholesale Nursery – Ingleside Plantation Nurseries. We host weddings here and have wonderful settings for photographing.”

Karen Metcalfe, Dressage Rider and Survivor

Frederick, Maryland

“I am a breast cancer survivor. In no way do I find my story to be exceptional. The fight other’s have had to fight have been much more difficult than my own. My cancer was diagnosed early. I was fairly young when diagnosed (45) so the treatment I opted for was a mastectomy. Because of this option and the fact that it had not spread to lymph nodes I did not require radiation or chemotherapy treatments. I had just begun leasing Cayenne when I received the diagnosis. He was the “wrong” horse for me…young, big, strong, knew no boundaries, had minimal training and I was a green rider. Nevertheless, I bought him, the only horse I have ever owned, right around the time that I had the mastectomy. Although told not to ride during the mastectomy recovery and reconstruction surgery/recovery phases, as soon as I could I went out every morning to ride. …..we had a lot to learn together. Initially I had to ask for help to get the saddle up and on him as I couldn’t lift the saddle to that height. Wanting to be independent, I worked to be able to do so alone within the first week. In addition to many other aspects of my life that kept me in a positive frame of mind during that scary part of my life (family, friends….), my time with Cayenne was something that I looked forward to every day. I firmly believe that my rapid and full recovery from the mastectomy was in part due to my time grooming, taking care of and riding Cayenne. He came into my life during a very difficult time and did, and still does, bring me great joy and happiness as I continue to get to know him and we work/learn together.” Last year was Karen’s first year as a member of PVDA and she looks forward to volunteering at this year’s Ride for Life and riding in future Ride for Life shows.

Tanya Horning, Dressage Rider and Survivor

North Carolina

“In the fall of 2007, while nearing the end of chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer, I found an article in Dressage Today about the PVDA Ride for Life. In that moment, I decided that I would participate in the show with my horse “Fidget.” Riding provided mental and physical therapy after my mastectomies and during treatment; and the Ride for Life gave me a way to raise funds by including the very special horse that literally carried me through my battle with breast cancer. As I approach my fourth year as a survivor on June 26th, I look forward to participating once again in the PVDA Ride for Life along with The North Carolina Caravan for the Cure. It is a great honor and inspiration to be a part of this amazing group which includes riders of varying levels and experience, other cancer survivors, and our family and friends. We ride in memory of those we have lost to the disease, and those who are currently in the fight.”

Ann Hosmer, Dressage Rider and Survivor

Maryland

“I was diagnosed with cancer in the right breast in February, 2006, and accepted naturopathic treatment for several months in lieu of traditional therapy. In September of 2006 I had a lumpectomy. In the fall of 2009 the cancer returned and was treated with aromatase inhibitors along with cancer-specific nutritionals and diet. In the spring of 2010 the cancer began spreading into the lymph nodes and into the bones in my lower back; it was clear additional treatment was required. In November 2010, following 6 months of aggressive chemotherapy, acupuncture, cancer specific nutritionals, and dietary regimen, the PT Scan indicated I was 95% healed. My doctors were dumbfounded, especially the radiation oncologist. He agreed to do 7 weeks of daily radiation treatments to get rid of the rest of it.

My horse OuttatheBlu, whom I acquired in September of 2009 just before the lumpectormy, played a big part in my healing. He is a thoroughbred sport horse and is challenging to ride. I knew at the time that he had his own health challenges. I made the commitment to ride a minimum of 4 times per week. Yes, we have been through challenging times together. I feel the peace of his healing energy whenever we are together.”

Ann has been involved with running the volunteer portion of the Ride For Life last year and will return again in 2011 to
coordinate this rather large task.