"Every Day Is Different": Maddison and Xenia's Story
How Maddison and Xenia navigate disability, partnership and life in the equestrian world
At 18 years old, Maddison Strong faces challenges that many people will never experience. Living with autism, ADHD, complex Tourette's syndrome, Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) and Non-Epileptic Attack Disorder (NEAD), every day brings uncertainty. Yet through it all, one constant remains: her horse, Xenia.
For Maddison, horses are far more than a hobby. They are a source of purpose, motivation, comfort, and strength through some of life's most difficult moments.
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Life with an Unpredictable Disability
"My body is always working ten times harder just to function like a normal person."
In September 2025, Maddison was diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder and Non-Epileptic Attack Disorder, adding to the challenges she already navigated daily.
Her symptoms can include loss of speech, tremors, migraines, muscle spasms, extreme fatigue, limb weakness, partial paralysis, and episodes where she loses the ability to walk or move her legs. She also experiences non-epileptic functional seizures that can last for more than four hours at a time.
The reality of living with fluctuating neurological conditions means that every day looks different.
One day Maddison may feel energetic, mobile and capable of tackling everything on her to-do list. The next, she may be unable to feel her legs or leave the house. There is no predictable pattern, no warning, and no guarantee of what tomorrow will bring.
Despite these challenges, horses remain at the centre of her life.
Yard life can be incredibly demanding, both physically and emotionally. Caring for horses requires consistency, energy and commitment. Like many horse owners, Maddison feels a deep responsibility towards her animals, and there are days when her health prevents her from doing everything she wants to do for them.
The emotional impact of those days can be significant.
She describes feeling heartbroken when she cannot give her horses one hundred percent. Yet even on the hardest days, they remain her motivation to keep pushing forward, to work harder in physical therapy, and to continue striving to be stronger, healthier and kinder.
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The Horse Who Understands
At the heart of Maddison's story is Xenia.
When she talks about her horse, it quickly becomes clear that their relationship goes far beyond that of rider and horse. Xenia is her companion, her source of comfort, and often her reason to keep going.
"Xenia is my reason to keep going, to wake up, to get out of bed, to try harder."
Maddison describes Xenia as the reason she gets out of bed in the morning. The reason she works harder in rehabilitation. The reason she continues to believe in herself, even when her body makes everyday tasks difficult.
What makes their bond particularly remarkable is the way Xenia seems to instinctively understand exactly what Maddison needs.
On days when Maddison uses her wheelchair, Xenia quietly walks alongside her. When she relies on crutches, Xenia slows her pace and carefully matches her movements. On days when riding is possible but mobility is limited, she carries her gently and patiently.
When Maddison needs comfort, Xenia simply offers her presence.
Sometimes that means resting her nose in Maddison's lap and staying there for as long as she needs.
It is a level of understanding that many horse owners will recognise. Horses have an extraordinary ability to respond to human emotion, vulnerability and need, often without a single word being spoken.
For Maddison, Xenia is more than a horse. She is a trusted friend, a teammate and a source of unwavering support.
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When Passion Meets Reality
While horses provide strength and motivation, pursuing an equestrian life while managing a fluctuating disability comes with significant challenges.
There are moments of success, joy and achievement. There are photographs of rides, competitions and special memories shared online.
But those moments rarely tell the full story.
Behind every successful day can be days of recovery. Behind every photograph in the saddle can be physical pain, exhaustion, or symptoms that others never see.
Maddison knows this reality all too well.
There have been occasions when she has been able to ride but could not safely mount or dismount because she could not feel her legs. There have been successful show days followed by seizures, and periods where pushing herself physically meant she was unable to walk for days afterwards.
Like many people living with chronic or fluctuating conditions, she often finds that others see the highlights but not the consequences.
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Accessibility in Equestrian Spaces
Alongside her personal challenges, Maddison has also encountered barriers within the equestrian world itself.
Accessibility remains a significant issue across many equestrian spaces. Showgrounds, yards and facilities are often designed with able-bodied riders in mind, creating additional challenges for disabled equestrians.
While awareness and representation have improved in recent years, there is still work to be done to ensure that equestrian environments are welcoming and accessible for everyone.
Stories like Maddison's highlight the importance of continuing those conversations and listening to the experiences of disabled riders.
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"You Don't See What Happens Afterwards"
One of the most important messages Maddison hopes people will understand is that disability is not always visible, and it is rarely the same from one day to the next.
People may see a photograph of her riding and assume everything is fine. They may see a successful competition result and celebrate the achievement without realising the physical cost that followed.
What they don't see are the challenges behind the scenes.
They don't see the days when mobility disappears without warning. They don't see the recovery after seizures. They don't see the careful planning required before every outing, every ride, and every competition.
Some days Maddison does not need any mobility aids. On many days she uses a cane or crutches. On more difficult days she relies on a wheelchair. And sometimes, her symptoms are severe enough that leaving the house simply is not possible.
Disability is not one-size-fits-all.
It is complex, personal and often unpredictable.
Maddison's experience is a powerful reminder that we never truly know what someone may be managing behind the scenes. A smiling photograph, a successful competition, or a good day does not tell the whole story.
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A Partnership Built on Understanding
Maddison's story is not defined by disability. It is defined by perseverance, partnership, and the extraordinary connection she shares with Xenia.
In a world that often struggles to understand invisible and fluctuating disabilities, Xenia asks for no explanations. She simply meets Maddison where she is each day—with patience, kindness and trust.
Together, they are a reminder that horses do not judge us by our limitations. They meet us as we are.
And for Maddison, that makes all the difference.
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Share Your Story
At Beside Horses, we believe every equestrian story deserves to be heard.
Whether horses have helped you through challenges, changed your perspective, brought you a sense of belonging, or simply become an important part of your life, we'd love to hear from you.
Every rider, owner, volunteer, supporter and horse lover has a unique story to tell, and by sharing those experiences we can build a stronger, more understanding and more inclusive equestrian community.
Your story could help someone feel seen, understood or inspired.
Share your story with Beside Horses and help us celebrate the many ways horses connect, support and transform lives.