Riding Toward Hope
When her 2-year-old son, Donatello, was diagnosed with autism in October 2024, Laila found herself facing a challenge familiar to many families: finding meaningful, consistent support.
“In Indiana, it was incredibly difficult to access the kind of care my son truly needed,” she said. “We were driving over an hour to only get 30 minutes max a week at therapeutic riding stables — and it just wasn’t enough time to make a real impact.”
Everything changed when her family relocated to Germany. There, she discovered the Horse Boy Method — a neuroscience-based approach that focuses on individualized, one-on-one engagement using movement, rhythm and connection to support children with autism.
Unlike traditional models with limited session times, the Horse Boy Method follows the child’s needs, prioritizing regulation and relationship as the foundation for learning.
The difference was immediate and profound for Donatello compared to any other therapeutic riding they had done before.
“Going from 20 minutes a week to multiple one-hour sessions completely changed everything for my son,” Laila said. “We saw significant improvements in his daily life — he became more regulated, started speaking, became potty trained and was able to communicate without having a tantrum.”
Now, as her family prepares to return to Indiana, she is determined to ensure other families have access to the same life-changing support.
Next Stop — Indiana
For the first time, the Horse Boy Method Level 1 Certification Training will take place in Zionsville June 25-26, bringing this transformative approach to educators, therapists and caregivers across the state.
Hands-on training will be provided by founder Rupert Isaacson, accompanied by his colleague, Leana Tank, and his autistic son, Rowan.
Hosted by Emma Meeks, stable owner and founder of Cornerstone Equestrian Services, the two-day training provides a hands-on, immersive experience designed to equip participants with practical tools they can immediately apply in schools, therapy settings and at home.
“This is about more than a training,” Laila said. “It’s about creating access. I don’t want other families to struggle the way we did. This method changed my son’s life — and I want to make it available to others who need it.”
With autism rates rising and families searching for more effective, individualized approaches, this event positions Zionsville as a growing center for innovative, brain-based support.
Event Details
What: Horse Boy Method Level 1 Certification Training
When: June 25-26
Where: Cornerstone Equestrian Services, Zionsville, Indiana
Registration: ntls.co/hbjune26
Spots are limited and expected to fill quickly.
About Horse Boy
The Horse Boy Method is an internationally recognized, neuroscience-backed approach that uses movement, rhythm and relationship to support individuals with autism and other neurodiverse conditions. By focusing on nervous system regulation first, the method helps unlock communication, learning and emotional development.
The Horse Boy Method was founded after Isaacson discovered that his son began communicating and engaging more successfully while riding horses. This breakthrough led to the creation of a neuroscience-informed approach that supports autistic and neurodivergent individuals through rhythm, movement, sensory integration and relational connection.
Rupert Isaacson and Dr. Temple Grandin have collaborated extensively in developing autism support approaches centered on sensory regulation, equine-assisted therapy and movement-based learning.
