PHOTOS Teen Mom 2’s Leah Calvert gets a horse
It appears that another Teen Mom 2 star has gotten equine fever! Just a little over a week after posting about co-star Jenelle Evans’ picturesque horseback rides with beau Nathan in Ohio, Leah Calvert has announced she and Jeremy have went and gotten themselves a horse!
Leah broke the news with a tweet on Thursday:
I'm looking for a childs saddle and a child's handicapped saddle! We just got our first horse and the girls are going to be ready to ride!
— Leah D. Calvert (@TM2LeahDawn) August 28, 2014
And then earlier today the Leah and Jeremy Calvert Facebook fan page (which Leah is not officially associated with) shared the first photos of Leah and the Calverts’ horse, including the pictures above and below:
As you might imagine, given that Leah and Jeremy are having financial issues on the current season of the show, the purchase raised a few eyebrows among commenters. The page reminded everyone, “The show is behind… You’re not watching what’s happening right now. Which means money issues are no longer the same.”
UPDATE – Leah Messer’s Official Fan Page (which Leah and Momma Dawn Spear are associated with) have since shared the photos and explained, “The horse leah is holding was a gift from Grandma & Grandpa Spears because a horse is VERY therapeutic for Ali. Momma Dawn.” Well, there you go!
Although I’m sure all the members of the Calvert family will be getting some riding time, it appears the main motivation for getting the horse was to help with Ali’s therapy. Here’s some info of therapeutic horseback riding from Wikipedia:
Therapeutic horseback riding is the use of horses and equine-assisted activities in order to achieve goals that enhance physical, emotional, social, cognitive, behavioral and educational skills for people who have disabilities. It not only focuses on the therapeutic riding skills but also the development of a relationship between horse and rider. It uses a team approach in order to provide treatment for the individual with the guidance of riding instructor.
Horses provide a unique neuromuscular stimulation when being ridden through their one of a kind movement. Horses move in a rhythmic motion that mimics the human movement of walking. While riding, the horses stride acts to move the rider’s pelvis in the same rotation and side-to-side movement that occurs when walking. The horses adjustable gait promotes riders to constantly adjust the speed to achieve the desired pelvic motion while promoting strength, balance, coordination, flexibility and confidence. One does not have to ride to achieve the desired effects of therapy. Horses can act as an aid by giving those with disabilities a companion to care for. Grooming such as brushing, bathing, and currying aid in joint range of motion and have a relaxing and calming effect.
You may be asking yourself, “Where in the world are Leah and Jeremy going to keep a horse?!?” They just purchased a new home after realizing their first home was going to be too costly to make handicap accessible, and in this Teen Mom 2 video clip Leah tells husband Jeremy that she’s interested in a farm property that I’m sure would be perfect for keeping a horse:
After being in New York City for the Teen Mom 2 and Teen Mom Reunion tapings, Leah expressed her excitement at getting back to their new house:
It was great seeing everyone again @ChelseaHouska @KailLowry @PBandJenelley_1 @MaciBookoutMTV @CatelynnLowell @TylerBaltierra and Amber!
— Leah D. Calvert (@TM2LeahDawn) August 25, 2014
Now, I'm so ready to go home and get our new home ready to live in! @Calvert505
— Leah D. Calvert (@TM2LeahDawn) August 25, 2014
Let me be the first to nickname the new Calvert home the Triple-A Ranch! Oh, and who else can’t wait to see Momma Dawn riding horseback next season!?!
On a separate note, Leah has also provided some updates on Ali. She’s still using the loaner wheelchair seen on the show, but she should be getting her customized pink chair soon! And it seems Ali continues being AAAmazing when it comes to dealing with doctors’ visits, etc:
On our way back from Columbus! My baby girl is the definition of strong! She is a CHAMP! Let's kick MDs BUTT! #AAA
— Leah D. Calvert (@TM2LeahDawn) August 31, 2014
AAAwesome!