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‘He’s changed my life’: autistic rider with severe anxiety and her veteran horse impress on the dressage circuit

Aimi Clark

In partnership with Petplan Equine

An autistic rider with severe anxiety has credited her Irish Sport Horse with changing her life. Eleanor Halton was given Master Midget (Mac) on loan last September and they quickly progressed up the unaffiliated dressage ranks to novice level — winning all of their eight classes. The duo have since joined British Dressage (BD). The rider said Mac has given her “a purpose and confidence she never knew she had” and when she is with her horse she “feels like she can take on the world”.

“The main and most important thing to me is having the connection and interaction with horses. They are just so insightful and I feel I can talk to Mac about anything — they seem to understand,” said Eleanor.

“I think horses, more than other animals, get a sense of how we are feeling. I live on Dartmoor and so spend many an hour hacking along talking to Mac, telling him about my thoughts and problems. I would really struggle without having him in my life for those reasons.”

Surgery for a tendon injury

Mac, by Master Imp, sustained a tendon injury two years ago and underwent surgery. Then aged 16, it was a significant risk for the ageing gelding and his recovery process was long and hard.

He came through the surgery well and after a lengthy period of box rest, he progressed to daily walks in-hand daily before walking out under saddle. Many more months of careful management and rehabilitation later, Mac is now back in full work aged 18.

“Mac is so special; he really loves being ridden and he has a fantastic work ethic,” said Eleanor. “When I take him to competitions, he sharpens up a bit and grows a hand. I really do think he thinks it’s his world and we are just living in it!”

Challenging rehab work

When Eleanor got Mac on loan post-surgery, she decided to try dressage with him as his jumping days were over. The horse was weak and stiff initially, and it took six months of challenging work to get him where he needed to be.

“”His BD record is flawless; I’m so proud of him,” added Eleanor. “We are hoping to start competing at elementary in the next month or so — it’s time to step up.”

Eleanor also gave her thanks to Erme Valley Riding for the Disabled (RDA), for whom she has competed at the RDA National Championships, for their support.

“Esme Valley RDA has played a huge part in my riding career since I was 17, volunteering and helping out,” said the rider. “They’ve really supported me throughout the years and I couldn’t be more thankful to them.”

Profile image of Aimi Clark Aimi Clark

About

As the editor of Your Horse Online, Aimi oversees all our digital content. She has worked in equestrian media for over 15 years and joined Your Horse as editor in 2017. Aimi has owned and ridden horses all her life. She grew up on a farm in Devon and was a Tetcott & South Tetcott Pony Club member, joining with her first pony — a New Forest called Prudence — before moving on to a Danish Warmblood called Marcus and competing in all activities, but particularly enjoying eventing. She has rehomed and retrained more than 10 ex-racehorses and dabbled in point-to-pointing. There have been plenty of bumps, setbacks and heartache along the way, as well as a lot of fun and many successes. Aimi has two young children and she still loves ex-racehorses. You can often find her hacking her Thoroughbred in the Oxfordshire countryside, flying the flag for Your Horse's #Hack1000Miles challenge.

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