Saddle Up

After picking up a book on horses in her elementary school’s library, senior Eden Cashman’s passion for riding horses began at age 10.
Looking up to her own horse trainers, Cashman has always had a desire to be one herself, she said.
“I really like working with horses and watching them progress as they get older and advance in their training,” Cashman said. “It is fulfilling to see all of that.”
For service work, Cashman shares her love for horses by volunteering at a therapeutic horse riding center to help kids and people with disabilities.
“It lets them have something that is fun to do, but also helps them with muscle strength,” Cashman said.
To prepare for the therapeutic riding sessions, Cashman helps the individuals by getting the horse ready, mounting them on the horse and either leading the horse or walking beside the horse to make sure the individual does not fall off.
“It is on the time of the person, so they still feel like they are in control and not just like you are leading them around,” Cashman said.
Cashman plans on majoring in Equestrian Science at William Woods University where she will take riding classes, prepare to be a trainer or riding instructor and teach some college level courses.
“I wanted to do something I knew I would enjoy,” Cashman said. “I just decided to go for it.”