American horse becomes therapist for children in Omsk

There are many equestrian clubs in Siberia. However, most often they offer photo shoots, walks, and riding lessons. We found a place where interaction with animals is not limited to just entertainment events. Here, horses act as therapists and help people with physical and mental disabilities recover.

NGS55.RU correspondents Anna Ivanina and Evgeny Sofiychuk visited «Ankor,» saw a unique horse from Donbas, and learned what the social equestrian business is all about. Details are in the material.

Fabula — a horse with a unique story

The equestrian club «Ankor» is hidden within Omsk, but getting there is not easy: it is located among dacha plots, between a birch grove and pine trees, in the Oktyabrsky District. Here, it feels like you are far outside the city. The air even seems cleaner and fresher.

We were greeted by director Oksana Sukhanova. She immediately led us to the most recently acquired horse — Fabula, or as she affectionately calls her, Fabushka. It is she who has the most unusual fate.

Fabula came to Russia from America. On paper, she is a Ukrainian riding horse with a unique pedigree, and in character — both strong and gentle. She used to be a sport horse: she did show jumping, jumped over obstacles, and worked for results. Today her life looks completely different.

Show jumping (from French Concours Hippique — «equestrian competitions») is one of the most spectacular and difficult types of equestrian sport. In these competitions, the rider and horse overcome a course with various obstacles, trying not to knock down any barriers and to fit within the set time.

«Fabula is a celebrity, she has a foreign passport. She was born in America. Then she was bought to Ukraine, and when the special military operation began, she was moved to Russia like a star.»

First, Fabula ended up in Chelyabinsk. Athletes performed on her, the «American» went to competitions and gradually became a real celebrity in the equestrian world. When she grew older, the owners themselves called Oksana and offered to buy the animal. Then there was no limit to happiness.

«When Fabula came to us, 4 years ago, she was just a sport horse. And now she is almost like a circus horse: children do vaulting with her — that»s acrobatics on horseback. She is patient, calm, and as if perfectly created for this.«

Wanted to take her back to Donbas

After photos of Fabula appeared on social networks, the former American citizen became even more recognizable. Offers began to come in to buy the mare. Former owners from Donbas also responded, wanting to take their favorite back.

«Of course, it»s nice that such a horse lives with you. But every horse of mine is a friend. I don«t betray friends under any conditions. Even if they offered a lot of money, I wouldn»t agree. I would never give Fabula away: you don«t know whose hands she might fall into. And here at »Ankor« they are loved, kissed, and cherished.»

The «Ukrainian riding horse» breed is not cheap. Such horses are premium and worth their weight in gold, but for some reason Oksana was embarrassed to name a specific amount.

«I won»t say,« the director joked. »If my husband hears the price, he«ll kick me out of the house along with Fabula.»

What does Fabula do?

Fabula is 19 years old, and now she is retired, because sport horses are retired at 14. She used to work in rentals and participated in photo shoots, and very recently she started being used for hippotherapy — the club«s main focus.

Hippotherapy is a method of rehabilitation and physiotherapy that uses horseback riding and contact with horses to improve physical, mental, and emotional state. It is especially useful for cerebral palsy, coordination disorders, and other health limitations. The horse«s movements mimic natural human walking, helping to restore muscle tone and balance.

The mare is loved not for titles, but for character. Calm, attentive, almost like a person. She easily makes contact, is not frightened by noise or new people, and as if senses the mood of whoever is nearby. That is why trainer Liza suggested the director try her in therapeutic classes.

Generally, sport horses are rarely chosen for hippotherapy. Usually, they take short, calm half-breeds. Fabushka is a rare exception: active, jumpy, but at the same time patient and cautious.

«She only recently started working in therapy, about three months ago. Before that, she only did rentals and taught riding. Now she calmly carries all the kids.»

We personally observed how Danya, with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability, worked with Fabula. The trainer suggested exercises, and the student confidently stayed on horseback. Classes have been held once a week since summer, and the results are noticeable: coordination, attention, and emotional state have improved. Looking at the young rider, you wouldn«t think he has any peculiarities. During the training, he was focused, calm, and interacted excellently with the horse.

How «Ankor» was created

The main direction for the club was chosen by the horse owner not by chance. The idea to engage in hippotherapy came after a serious injury to her daughter in 2014.

«We bought the first horse for our daughter. She called me from school and said: »Mom, I broke my neck.« I was terribly scared. It turned out she just jerked her head sharply, as if adjusting her bangs, and because of this a severe stretch occurred — her neck literally went sideways,» Oksana recalled.

After the injury, the girl was immediately taken to the emergency room. Doctors advised manual therapy. For the businesswoman, this was a completely new concept, and she decided to search online for information about this treatment method.

«I was told that my daughter needed a chiropractor, massages, work with her neck. And at that time I didn»t understand what that was at all. I«m a practical person: first I read everything, figure it out, learn. That»s how I approach both children and business.«

While studying information about manual therapy, she accidentally came across an article about hippotherapy. At that time, this word meant nothing to her.

«I started reading and learned that even in ancient times, aristocrats had good posture not because of fitness halls, but simply because they spent a lot of time in the saddle. That»s when I really started to get interested in this treatment. I was surprised: how can horses even heal? But the more I read, the clearer it became that for children with cerebral palsy, spinal problems, scoliosis, and other orthopedic disorders, it really works. And in general, hippotherapy even treats depression.«

It was decided to give the child a horse for recovery after the injury, but it needed to be discussed with her husband. The family lived in an ordinary apartment, but the idea seemed right. Their friends, of course, joked: «And where will it live — on the balcony?»

After that, the couple went to a stud farm and bought the first horse — Ankor. They met their daughter from the train on her birthday.

«She always dreamed of a dog. And I tell her: a dog is difficult, you have to walk it. We bought you something better,» the director laughed.

First, Ankor was temporarily left with friends at their dacha. When the girl saw the horse, she immediately exclaimed joyfully: «This is my horse. I now have my own horse.» A month later, the family realized that Ankor alone would be bored. Then they decided to buy company and again went to the stud farm. There, they couldn«t pass by a stallion named Grom. The steed was so beautiful and stately that the family simply couldn»t resist and returned home with him.

Died in the family«s arms

Keeping both draft horses at the dacha turned out to be difficult. Then the family decided to build their own stable on the plot where the club now stands. At that time, the land was just a dump, and it had to be cleaned up manually.

«We bought Ankor in summer, the dacha plot was just fenced off then, and the horse wandered everywhere. And when Grom appeared, it became clear: we can»t delay, we need to build a stable. We started cleaning up bit by bit and making stalls.«

For four years, the family enjoyed every day with Ankor. They loved him with all their heart, cherished him, and couldn«t imagine life without this horse. But no one suspected health problems. One day, the stallion»s heart enlarged four times, and in 2018 he died in the family«s arms.

«It was a huge loss,» Oksana recalls with tears in her eyes. «He wasn»t just an animal, but a real family member. We practically ate from the same plate, he lived with us and ran everywhere like a dog. I walk, and he«s next to me, trotting. Ankor was our first horse, our love and inspiration. I still can»t hold back tears.«

It was after losing Ankor that the idea to create an equestrian club was born. Today, «Ankor» is not just a name: this horse became the symbol of the club, and every horse here continues his story.

«For me it»s a hobby, not a trendy business«

Before «Ankor,» there was another business, also related to animals — pet stores and production of marine aquariums, a niche aimed mainly at wealthy clients. Before opening the equestrian business, in 2018, Oksana trained in hippotherapy in Moscow.

«By profession, I am an economist. But now such courses are available with any higher education. Previously, a medical diploma was needed. This training became for me not only a technical base but also an emotional support: I knew exactly how to help children through contact with horses.»

Today, six horses live in the economist«s stable. Some participate in photo shoots and rentals, others — in therapeutic work. Often the same ones combine roles, making the club flexible: there are both paid classes and shoots, as well as free programs for children who especially need support.

Next summer, they plan to open a spa complex with a phytobar and cozy houses by the water. Day wellness programs include massage, proper nutrition, and walks in the fresh air.

Despite the obvious social benefit, Oksana does not consider «Ankor» a full-fledged business.

«For me, it»s a hobby, not a trendy social business. We just do it so that as many people as possible can get help. We regularly hold free programs, and this brings joy not only to them but also to us.«