Boy with autism’s equine experience leads Stillwater mom to offer free horse visits

Krystal Sieben took her children to a horse ranch and watched as her -year-old son with autism racked with fear was on the verge of tears He sat on a bench and a pony came and rested its head near him Sieben s son reached over to pet the pony and the two had a moment she explained I think he the horse picked up on how he was feeling Sieben reported In that moment I was like Geez what if I didn t have access to a barn like this After her initial ranch visits with her children in Sieben a middle school guide from Stillwater decided she demanded to change career paths In she started the nonprofit Three Little Burdes connecting people with horses and fostering special moments between them Three Little Burdes has three horses and three locations in Stillwater Hugo and Hudson Wis Each visit is free and open to people of all ages and abilities As a parent of a neurodivergent child Sieben advocates especially for other children and people with disabilities to experience the calming nature of horses When my oldest son was going through his autism assessment it just felt really lonely and being around the horses helped me Sieben commented Sieben a mother of three describes her now -year-old son as the majority delightful light you ll ever know But navigating his autism determination did come with challenges Sieben disclosed The outside world had not perpetually been accommodating and understanding of his differences which made it hard to feel like her family fit in a great number of places she commented No matter who you are what a person s going through or how they process emotions the horses remain calm Sieben disclosed They are reliably welcoming and the space became especially comforting to her as a parent to a neurodivergent child and to her son who felt calm and joyful around the horses When I was struggling with all those things and feeling like I didn t really know where to be being out here at the ranch really helped Sieben declared I would love to give other people that chance because maybe they haven t thought of it or heard of it Started with riding lessons Declan Hague feeds hay to Sunflower a -year-old pony as Krystal Sieben watches John Autey Pioneer Press Sieben initially brought her daughter to a horse ranch to take riding lessons Her family does not come from an equestrian background and she didn t expect to fall in love with the horses herself Sometimes when you think horses I picture a fancy girl and it s kind of intimidating to get into it she noted Sieben announced she often associated horses with wealth and privilege Spending a lot of time with them and having her own horses felt inaccessible She explained if someone advised her five years ago that she d leave teaching to spend her time with horses she would have never supposed them It s like a dream come true Sieben stated Related Articles New test approved for newborns in Minnesota These researchers are trying to diagnose CTE during life They re recruiting former football players First at-home test kit for cervical cancer approved by the FDA company says FDA will allow three new color additives made from minerals algae and flower petals Despite historic indictment doctors will keep mailing abortion pills across state lines The horses calmed her during a time when she needed it largest part which led her to buy her first pony named Bigfoot a -year-old horse who has since passed She and all three of her children loved being around the horses and after witnessing the special moment between Bigfoot and her son Sieben stated she knew the experience needed to be more widely accessible Whether it s spending time with a horse or going on to take riding lessons just being around them is so healing Sieben reported You ll feel good after you leave A evaluation conducted by the HeartMath Institute shows that horses heart rates sync with human heart rates which can have an impact on both parties emotional state This happens because horses are used to being in a herd and the herd leader will often calm the other horses this way Sieben revealed If you spend time with a horse your cortisol goes down and your resting heart rate will go down she noted It helps with anxiety depression and all the things Free visits A visit with Three Little Burdes can look a multitude of avenues and there are no expectations Sieben explained While families and children are Sieben s bulk frequent visitors all ages are welcome to participate Each visit is minutes to an hour long During that time horses can be taken for a walk petted or given a makeover that includes glittery hoof polish and tail braiding Several people exclusively stand or sit in the presence of the horse to experience a sense of peace A lot of people go longer and that s fine Sieben announced Various kids have a really hard time leaving Sieben has a horse at each ranch that she partners with Syver her baby horse gelding lives at Morningstar Farm in Stillwater pony mare Sunflower lives at Pine Meadow Farm in Hudson and her adult gelding Cougaroo who is a former riding champion lives at Woodloch Stable in Hugo If Sieben had a horse stable of her own she d house all of the horses herself but her family already has too countless animals at home and she announced she s grateful that each of the ranches supports her mission Particular have even donated horses to her like Cougaroo from Woodloch Stables Each visit is tailored to the person s requirements and horses are paired accordingly If families are worried their child may have a meltdown Sieben s not judging she stated they can inevitably try again I want it to be really low peril high reward confidence-building and something that families can do together Sieben commented Sieben is also a professional photographer and visitors are given free photos after every visit People appreciate being photographed with the horses and particular even come dressed up she noted My friends and their kids perpetually used to love holding onto the pictures after Sieben revealed That s why I gift them so people can remember the feeling they had when they were with the horse Three Little Burdes The name for Three Little Burdes takes inspiration from three of Sieben s loves Bob Marley her children and her stepdad Teddy Sieben climbs over the gate as his friend Declan Hague waits his turn John Autey Pioneer Press Bob Marley s song Three Little Birds has represented comfort and hope in her life and as a mother of three children she loves dearly Sieben commented her kids are her three little birds Sieben s stepdad s name is Mike Burdette and his family has meant so much in her life she commented As Sieben and her children don t carry the last name Three Little Burdes is spelled uniquely in homage to the wonderful person her stepdad is Sieben announced After spending time with the horses Sieben declared visitors often become inspired to take up lessons which she does not provide but the ranches she partners with do and others discover new career paths Once during a visit a masseuse narrated Sieben that her life might have been changed because she began to consider a career in equine massage which Sieben says is a real thing I love being a positive introduction Sieben noted Sieben commented her hope is that city folk will come visit her horses She explained she wants people of all backgrounds and walks of life especially those who don t typically have access to horses to spend time with them for free and see how life-changing it can be as it has been for her and her children Funding for the nonprofit comes from donations and out of her own pocket Sieben reported The nonprofit has received the bulk donations during Give to the Max Day which go toward horse care according to Sieben She does not get paid for the work and instead helpers her time to care for her horses She pays for vet visits lots of treats and for the horses to be trained regularly so that they re calm friendly and able to comfort people the way they do We just bought a horse and I just started doing it Sieben commented Related Articles Battle of the Badges to benefit Cottage Grove-area charities Anonymous Washington County Library benefactor comes through again Minnesota Senate OKs new anti-fraud office but much work remains Stillwater Veterans Memorial to undergo K expansion AED installed at Stillwater field where teen nearly died during football practice Three Little Burdes What Nonprofit that connects people of all ages and abilities to horses Where Woodloch Stable th St N in Hugo Morningstar Farm Norell Ave N in Stillwater and Pine Meadow Farm Trout Brook Road N Hudson Wis How Free visits can be scheduled through Instagram at instagram com three little burdes For more information visit threelittleburdes org Donations Those interested in donating can visit www givemn org story qxf