by R.T. Fitch ~ president/co-founder of Wild Horse Freedom Federation
“Feel Good Sunday” at it’s Finest
“It’s rare that subject matter or a relevant topic to write about comes unsolicited and without notice but that is exactly what happened to me last Thursday; an email from a horse loving, autistic, young lady landed right in my personal email inbox.
The email’s author was Meghan Dixon, a fellow Texan who was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome at a very early age. She reached out to me as a fellow horse lover to let me know that it has been through the power, spirit and the Force of the Horse® that she has found her way into young adulthood. Spurned by others, throughout her childhood, she turned to the horse for connection, fulfillment and actual achievement.
Meghan wrote to me to tell her story and in doing so I have acquired her permission to share her story with you as a very special “Feel Good Sunday” installment.
Below is a story she wrote which was subsequently published on EquiSearch for public consumption. Likewise, Horse Country U.S.A. highlighted Megan in one of their broadcasts and we have included that segment in this report for your enjoyment and edification.
Meghan, like all of us, wants to put an end to horse slaughter be it across the border or in your hometown. Let us take her message to heart and propel us to successfully ensure that the S.A.F.E. Act is passed and the future safety and well being of our American equines, both domestic and wild, is forever secured; a quest well worth seeing to a successful conclusion. Keep the Faith!” ~ R.T.
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In Meghan’s words:
Meghan with Cass Oles Beau, a grandson of the horse that starred in the movie The Black Stallion. Horses have helped the Rio Vista, Texas, teen deal with her autism.
Photo courtesy of Meghan Dixon
At age 9, I was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, a form of autism. I was in the fourth grade and having terrible trouble making and keeping friends. It was as if I were living on an alien planet, only I was the alien. Just when I thought I’d made a friend, that person would suddenly refuse to have anything to do with me.
I seemed to be every bully’s favorite target. They would tease and laugh at me. They called me names like “freak” and “retard,” and told me I was worthless. When I’d cry or become upset and have a meltdown, they’d just laugh.
It’s hard for people to realize what life can be like for someone like me. I’ve never been asked to a sleepover
at a friend’s house, or had anyone spend the night at my place. I don’t have classmates I can text or call, like other girls my age. I’ve often felt that the world just doesn’t want me, and have sometimes felt suicidal as a result. I struggle to live up to people’s expectations, but it seems I inevitably fail.
A Turning Point
Shortly after my Asperger syndrome diagnosis, my mom discovered the Wings of Hope equine therapy stable near Burleson, Texas, not too far from where we live. I began taking riding lessons there, and helping to care for the horses, some of which had been abused by their previous owners.
his turned out to be a pivotal point in my life.
I discovered that when I got up on a horse’s back, all the troubles I had melted away. I’d never before felt so free and happy. I soon graduated from being led at a walk to loping a horse on my own, with no assistance. I even got to compete in shows, which began to rebuild my battered self-esteem.
I was riding at the therapy stable once a week, but that wasn’t enough for me, so my family started looking for a horse I could own. That’s when I met The King Elvis, a gentle older gelding that a friend of my dad’s had rescued. He had a drooping lower lip—the inspiration for his name, I learned. He also had a scar on his face and appeared to be missing some of his cheekbone. Life hadn’t always been good to The King, and I realized he was a lot like me. My scars didn’t show, but they were there, on the inside.
That horse became my best friend. When I had a bad day at school, I would go and ride him or just lay my head on his withers and cry my eyes out. He was always there for me. That’s the wonderful thing about horses—they accept you just as you are. They don’t care if you’re pretty or ugly, fat or thin, normal or burdened with problems. They never mock or tease or hurt you for the fun of it. The King became my “safe place.”
Horses Lost…and Found
Then, one terrible day, The King became sick and died. I couldn’t believe it; it felt as if a part of my soul had died as well. I fell into a deep depression. Nothing seemed to matter anymore. That’s when I met a wonderful lady, Elaine Nash, online. I belonged to an anti-slaughter group on Facebook; Elaine saw my posts and became concerned about me. We struck up a correspondence by phone, and before long she’d become a good friend.
Then Elaine did something amazing: She made it possible for me to acquire another horse. With my mother’s permission, she arranged for me to become the owner of a 2-year-old Arabian gelding, plus got me connected to a Parelli Natural Horsemanship professional to help me learn how to train him.
This wasn’t just any Arabian, however. Before Elaine introduced me to him, she asked that my mom and me watch the classic movie The Black Stallion. We did, and imagine my shock when Elaine told me the horse I would own was a grandson of Cass Ole, the stallion that played the Black in the movie! Cass Oles Beau is kind and gentle, and looks a lot like his famous grandsire.
That’s not all Elaine did for me, though. She knew I’d need an older horse to ride while Beau was being trained. So she posted about it on Facebook, and a Canadian teenager who saw the post set up a page called “A Horse for Meghan.” It took a few months, but one day Elaine called my mom and said the horse for me had been found. A woman who lived near us in Texas had a 17-year-old Tennessee Walking Horse mare that was a good fit for me. The woman had owned Ebony for over 14 years and wanted her to have a special home. My story had moved her to give Ebony to me as a gift.
Now I have two wonderful horses, each of which brings me a different kind of joy. And I still have my good friend Elaine, who’s helped me to realize that I can trust people again.
The horses that have graced my life so far have blessed me with hope, happiness, and self-esteem. They’ve given me a sense of purpose and the courage to face the world.
In the truest sense imaginable, I feel that I owe them my life.
Meghan Dixon, 19, lives with her parents, David and Luci, in Rio Vista, Texas. She’s busy training Beau and riding Ebony, and plans one day to write a book about her experiences.
Categories: Horse News, The Force of the Horse
Straight from the Horse's Heart 
Many of us have known Elaine Nash has a big heart and a caring soul but I never knew just how big and how caring. Meghan’s story of courage and fortitude is remarkable. Meghan…you’re a star! Elaine…you’re my hero!
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Thank you for your kind words, Steve. Helping Meghan have these nice horses has been a pleasure. If we could see Meghan’s heart, it would be in the shape of a horse. 🙂
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Horses are the most wonderful gift that god has given us. Some children can be very cruel. Parents and school officials must put and end to this. Bullying is out of control and should not be tolerated. No child should ever feel like they have no worth. But this where our horses play a major role. I too lost my most loving Arabian horse two days ago to colic. I saved him from being a statistic and he thanked me constantly. He was handsome and loving to the end. Although I know he is put of pain and with god now. It doesn’t take my sadness away. I know that god will send me another who will need the love and care that I gave my Nicholas. Horses can reach down into our souls if you open you heart and let them in. I was glad to have read Megan’s story, thank you rt. I may include her story in our Abu Arabian clubs newsletter. Too all my horse warriors out there- keep the faith and may god bless you.
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Reminder how important my plans are to build Spirit Ranch … a place for youth in the system who need a sense of place and belonging for the rest of their lives … and where horses will help them to trust, feel loved, to learn and to thrive … as Megan is with her four-legged friend and family.
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We have heard this phrase many times but seldom is it more appropriate than with this story about Meghan. “There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man [or woman].” ~Winston Churchill
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Thank you for sharing Meghan’s story, RT. She is indeed a special person, who I’m happy to call a friend. She truly feels the sense of urgency that we all share about stopping the slaughter of any US horse, and no one in this country will be happier to see the SAFE Act pass than Meghan.
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I remember when Meghan started posting a few years ago. She was rabid about elevating the horse above the “disposable commodity” status which the slaughter proponents regarded them. Her writing is beautiful, especially her tribute to The King Elvis. Her personal experience demonstrates the profound depth which horses can reach in us.
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God bless you, Meghan, for being such an inspiration for the rest of us. I know you must be a remarkable horse trainer. I wish I could meet you one day!
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Elaine Is A Great Woman. she Had A Good Heart And This Is Just One Of The Many Examples Of Her Good Work. Kudos To You Elaine!
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Elaine Is A Great Woman. she Had A Good Heart And This Is Just One Of The Many Examples Of Her Good Work. Kudos To You Elaine!
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THANK YOU soo much for sharing my story! This one is a old story. I am working on a new story. (:
Here is my new story to anyone who wants to see it, This one is not done tho.
Hi, My name is Meghan Dixon, I am 20 years old. I use to suffer from depression, anxiety, Suicide, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, And bullying. I have a Autism Spectrum Disorder called “Asperger Syndrome”. Before I had horses in my life, My Autism was sever. This is a true story of how the horse helped me over come all these things. Life with these struggle’s can be like a battlefield. The horse is what’s helping me win this war. Before I discovered the horse, I was lost. It was as if I was broken and lost inside a world that just didn’t want me. I was in pain everyday from my depression and anxiety. I was hurting on the inside while I looked fine on the outside. No one else knew how much I hurt on the inside. This is the true story of how horses saved my life. I been bullied almost my whole life, I been mocked, teased, laughed at, hurt, bullied, judged, and rejected for things that are way beyond my control, It started in the 3rd grade, I never been good at socializing or making friend’s with people. Every night before I went to sleep, I would pray to God and Jesus and ask, “Please give me a true friend!” My Christmas list wish was to have just one friend. I became angry at God for making me this way! I didn’t understand why he wasn’t answering my prayers. When I was in the 5th grade After I started Middle school, My whole world began to fall apart, That is when It got the worst. I was having a terrible time, At Making and Keeping Friend’s. No one wanted to be my friend. On top of that, I didn’t understand their sarcasms. To me they were being rude and mean. When I would react with hurt feelings, they would either laugh at me or say I was weird. It was as if I was on this crazy alien planet- and I was the alien! Just when I thought I had made a friend, they would leave me and not want to have anything to do with me. I couldn’t understand what I had done wrong. No matter how hard I tried I would always fail. I seemed to be every bully’s favorite person to pick at. The students at the school I went to, Made me feel like a parasite who infected the world. The bullies would tease me or tell me to do things, and then laugh at me. They would call me names like freak, retard, fat, ugly, and tell me I was worthless. I even been told to go kill myself, They even told me that God put me here as a Joke, That I’m a mistake, They even said other things to me. They would always laugh at me. They did unimaginable things to me. The bullies would also trip me in the halls at school, They would start rumors about me, Say things that wasn’t true, They would even push me out of the lunch lines. When I would cry or become upset and have a ‘meltdown’, they would stand there and laugh. I even had problems with my teachers. They told my Mom and me that I was being manipulative. They would say that I looked like I was a normal kid and that there was not anything wrong with me except that I was spoiled. There was even times when the teachers would make us pick groups and have a partner, No one wanted me in their group, They would fight about having to be partner’s with me. I even remember in high school the boys getting into a fist fight because they didn’t want me in their group for the class project, And I got in trouble by the teacher for it. They acted like I had a disease that was contagious, And they didn’t want near me. Some people look at me and say that I look normal, But they don’t know what its like being sick and in pain on the inside while you look fine on the outside. You can’t see the autism in me! Not all disability’s are visible, Mine are invisible. I would even get bullied by the teachers, The teachers hated me. I was even told by teacher’s that I was unteachable. I learn different then other people. School was nothing but a struggle for me. Sometimes when I would get bullied, The teachers would take the bully’s side and would call me a liar. The teachers refused to help me with the bullying, Some teachers told me “It’s Life deal with it”. I have never been asked to spend the night a friend’s house, nor have any come to my house. I have never been invited to parties like other girls my age. I was the awkward outcast girl In school, Nobody wanted to sit by, talk to or be friends with. I even got voted off all the lunch tables, I had to eat lunch in the bathroom, Because No one wanted me at their table. The very first thing they also did when I got Diagnosed, Was the Doctors put me on Medication. I been on over 500 different types of medication through out my life, It made me gain weight. So I am Plus-Sized, I always been bigger and heavier then others. People always make fun of me and treat me differently because I am “Fat” they say! It really hurts me. All. through Middle School, And High School, The boys and other students always talked about how ugly, And Fat I am. I was rejected by lot’s of people. I still from this day get told, That I’m not pretty, And get judged because I am bigger. I even get told, That I am stupid. I become so afraid of people. I became very depressed and suicidal as a result. I started cutting myself. I would even take pills, The pills did nothing to affect me. I wished that I was dead most of the times, I thought that if I killed myself it would all be better. I was becoming a different person. I didn’t know or understand why no one liked me, Or accepted me. I just couldn’t understand why I had to live this unhappy life! It also seemed like everyone gave up on me. I became broken, And lost in a world that didn’t want me. I struggled to live up to peoples expectations, But people treated me like I was never going to be good enough! No matter how hard I tried I always failed. I then had to drop out of school, I couldn’t go to high school I got rejected by the currant education systems Because of my autism and learning disability. I always loved horses ever sense I was a little girl, If you asked me what i wanted to be when I grew up I would say “A Cow Girl”! I become very suicidal from bullying! My whole world was falling apart. On top of that I have a disability that no one can see, Not all disability’s are visible mine are invisible, I been mocked, teased, laughed at, hurt, bullied, judged, and rejected for things that are way beyond my control. I never been good at socializing or making friend’s with people, Also I was not able to defend myself from the bullying. I would have melt downs everyday. My autism was becoming very sever, It was taking over me. I would have melt downs everyday, I could not control myself. The bullying then made my behavior very violent. I could not communicate with people very well, due to my autism spectrum disorder. I wanted to be accepted. I started cutting myself. I would even take pills, The pills did nothing to affect me. I wished that I was dead most of the times, I thought that if I killed myself it would all be better. I was becoming a different person. I was scared. I tried a Charter school, I was bullied by the students the same way there.Then two other schools rejected me because I have a learning disability, And a autism spectrum disorder. So I was not able to go to school. I thought a lot about the day my Dad took me to ride my first horse. I was 4 at the time. My Mom wasn’t there that day, and it was a good thing because that day was also the first time I was thrown from a horse! I think it was after church because I remember that I had on a dress and dress shoes. The boy my dad and I went to visit told my Dad that his horse was gentle. My Dad put me on him and as soon as he sat me down on his back the horse started bucking, and off I went. My dad says I did a somersault in the air. Dad ran to me to see if I was OK but I just jumped up and said, “That was fun! Can we do it again?” That was when I fell in love with Horses, I talked about nothing but that horse for a very long time. When I was in like the 3rd grade I got to take pony riding lessons, I fell in love with the pony’s I worked with named Outlaw, And Cactus. It wasn’t very long before I got to graduate to a big horse. It wasn’t very long, When I discovered that when I got up on the back of a horse, All the problems I had just melted away. That’s one thing I love about riding horses. So I always thought about those days. Then we moved out to the Country. The day I decided I wanted to end it all and Kill Myself, Just as I thought my world was over, I met this very special horse, That was a rescue horse. His name was The King Elvis. He became my very own horse. Soon after that my world began to change. My Dad took me to his friend’s farm, That was a Dairy farm with lot’s of Cow’s and Horses that I liked to always go to. He told me he had a surprise for me, My Dad and His friend Billy, Took me to meet my new horse, Billy was saving him just for me, Because My Dad told Billy that he was looking for a good horse for me to ride. My Dad and Billy took me to meet the horse, when I looked at him I thought, “What happen to this horse?!” He had a drooping lower right lip, a scar on his face, and it looked like he was missing some of his cheek Billy told me, his name was The King Elvis- because of his drooping lip. He told me that life hadn’t always been good to him, and that he thought I would make the perfect owner to show him love and happiness. That’s when I realized he was just like me. I didn’t have physical scars, but people could see I had emotional ones. I got to take The King Elvis home. God had finally sent me my true friend! That beautiful Quarter Horse, Named The King Elvis! When ever I looked into the eyes of this horse, I could see and feel the healing hands of God. The King Elvis, Saved my life. That horse saved me from suicide. He gave me some of the best times of my life. That horse helped me in so many ways, He gave me hope, Helped me with a disability when no one else could, Gave me compassion when no one else would. He also helped me turn my autism into a gift, Helped me over come my autism, And was able to teach me new things. Most of all he saved my life, And rescued my heart and soul. I fell in love with that horse! He became my best friend. I would go out and ride him for hours. When I had a bad day, I would either ride him, or just lay my head on his withers and cry my eyes out. He would never move to get away from me. He always made me feel better and I knew he would always be there for me to ride, talk to, or cry on his big brown shoulder. That horse helped me in so many ways. The horse even saved me from suicide. The King Elvis, even helped me turn my autism into a gift. I started working with horses and riding, I even got to compete, That gave me my self-esteem back. I loved to jump and barrel race. For once in my life I could Succeed at something. I then began to learn how to deal with my Autism. Horses are Hero’s Horses are also therapy for me. I tried all those Autism therapy’s But none of them worked for me, The only therapy that worked for me was the horse. When I ride I feel like I am on top of the world, It feels like I can conquer the world. For once in my life when I am with the horse, And Riding the horse it’s like I don’t even have Autism anymore. My autism became more milder. Now that I have horses in my life, I have no more melt downs. Even my family sees a difference in me. When I get up on the back of a horse and ride, All my problems just melt away. My parents could never get me to smile, But when I got up on the back of a horse I got my first smile. I also use to have depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, I no longer have those things, The horses cured those, They even cured a little bit of my autism. The autism is still there, But it is now a gift. I no longer suffer, And I am no longer in pain. Horses give me happiness and hope, In a world I thought was hopeless. Horses also teach me how to love, learn, trust and to believe in myself. Horses have made a huge difference in my life, They make my world a better place. Horses also give purpose, And meaning to my life, They give me the courage to face the world. There is a healing power in horses. When ever I look into the eyes of a horse I can see the healing hands of God. I know they say, There is no cure for Autism, That we need to find a cure. But the horses helped me over come Autism. I think the horse has opened up a new world for people with Autism Spectrum Disorders. There is something magical about the horse. The horse saved my life, And I want to do the same for them. I finally found my true friends, My horses are my true best friend’s. I never knew that, The horse was the answer to my prayers, I never knew that some day the horse would save my Life. Me and that horse had some adventures together. Then, one terrible day, The King got sick- and when we went to call the vet, he died in the barn and was taken from me. It was the most painful day of my life. The day that he died was the day that half of my heart and soul died. I will never forget the day that King went away. Here is a poem I wrote for the King Elvis: “The King Elvis I remember the day I came to save you, I knew that I needed you as much as you needed me. This is the place I will stay, this is the place I will be, forever just you and me. When I looked into your eyes and you looked into my eyes, it was like you could read my mind. You would never let me fall behind. I knew you were treated bad, and I knew you were sad. You would never give up on me as I would never give up on you. Oh, how could anyone do this to you, you have two big brown eyes full of love and a heart of gold. I will never let you go. You are the part of me that I need, the part that makes me complete. You are the true meaning between love and friendship. You take my pain away. On a rainy day you brighten my days. You make my world a better place. I will never let you fade away you are here to stay.” R.I.P The King Elvis, we will never forget you, You are a real Hero, I cry just a Little when i think of letting go, I will never let go! The day you died was The day half of my heart and soul died, You rescued my heart and soul! You saved my soul! When I was lost you made me found!Horses help me deal with my autism. Horses have helped me over come my autism! Horses are like my therapist, But they are a lot more to me then just a therapist. Horses are hero’s! There is a healing power in horses. I would not be alive today if it was not for the horse! Horses are what get me through this thing called “Life”. Horses gave me hope, when I thought all hope was gone! Horses have gave me happiness, my self esteem back, trust, unconditional love. Horses help me to do some thing’s that I can not do on my own like trust, love, learn, how to be happy, and they teach me how to believe in myself. Horses give me the courage to face the world. They give me purpose and meaning to my life. I would not be alive today if it was not for the horse, Horses saved my life.
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http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-02-11/equine-therapy-youth/5250648
Research finds equine therapy can help young people
ABC Rural
By Lucie Bell
Horse therapy, or equine therapy, has been used to help returning servicemen and women in Australia and now it’s being used with young people.
Research published in the journal Youth Studies Australia suggests that equine therapy is an effective way to help young people who are troubled or at-risk.
Catherine Waite, from the Rural Health Academic Centre at the University of Melbourne, spoke to 40 young people over 12 months.
“We interviewed people who are 14 to18 years old,” Ms Waite said.
“They talked about the therapy in terms of being very physically intimidating in the beginning, because it’s a large horse and it’s encouraged to run around the yard.
“Part of the therapy is that the participants are taught how to calm the horse down… and get the horse to come to them.
“They talked about that process as being very calming and trusting. It makes them feel positive.”
Ms Waite says the focus on body language, as opposed to verbally communicating, made this form of therapy particularly successful.
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Reblogged this on "OUR WORLD".
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