Ocala has a small-town vibe with big city conveniences, several natural springs and nature trails, and a quiet lifestyle with a job market centered in health care and the equine industry. Ocala is considered the horse capital of the world, home to some of the largest equestrian-centered businesses in the country.
If time allows, I will visit the World Equestrian Complex with its state-of-the-art amenities, but I am heading first next month on November 13 to the Ocala Breeders Sales Arena to hear Dr. Temple Grandin share her knowledge on “How Horses Think.” Grandin, an American academic and inventor who was diagnosed with autism as a child, has identified four categories of how people think: visual, verbal, mathematical, and auditory. She classifies herself as a visual thinker, meaning she thinks in pictures.
When you understand that there are different kinds of thinkers, you also notice different approaches to solving problems, which can allow a group of people to work together and complement each other. Grandin points out that both autistic people and horses live in a sensory-based world, making them highly sensitive to details, shadows, and sudden movements that humans might miss. This shared perception creates a basis for understanding.
As an autistic person, Grandin fears many children on the autism spectrum are not developing learning skills needed to succeed and innovate. “Get them away from video games,” she says. “They need exposure.” Keeping art, music, woodworking, auto shop, and creative writing in school curriculums is most important to all thinking types. “We need minds that are different to solve a lot of problems in the future.”
A relationship with a horse can help anyone feel more secure and self-assured. Grandin believes this bond provides a form of healing, helping children grow beyond their perceived boundaries. The rhythm and balance of riding can stimulate the cerebellum, a part of the brain involved in timing and coordination, which may benefit individuals with sensory challenges. Grandin has gathered compelling stories from parents whose autistic children spoke their first words while on a horse, showcasing the transformative potential of these interactions.
After writing about Mandy Connor and her podcast “Talkin’ Autism,” and reading about Temple Grandin coming to Ocala, I was curious if there were any stables in our area conducting therapeutic riding classes. Mandy referred me to Krista Jurkovich at Paramount Adaptive Riding Center in Yulee. Paramount has served this area for the last 11 years, especially those with special needs utilizing the therapeutic nature of horses.
Krista is a PATH Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor, providing riding instruction of therapeutic value to riders with disabilities. Kristi and three others at the farm are PATH-certified Equine Specialist Mental Health & Learning, ensuring the safety and well-being of the equines participating in mental health or equine-assisted learning sessions.
PATH International (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) was founded in 1969 to promote safe, effective therapeutic adaptive horseback riding. The PATH is a curriculum that supports both those with special needs and those who want help. Temple Grandin has a strong connection to PATH International and has worked closely with PATH, supporting research and working in groups focused on animal-assisted therapies. Like many in her field, Krista is overjoyed when she witnesses a breakthrough for someone, finding grace in having the opportunity to be part of that. If you are interested in learning more, contact Kristi at paramountkj@gmail.com or call (330) 327-6779 to schedule your first lesson or become a volunteer or sponsor.