We went to observe a class, and from the minute we entered the bam I knew we had found what we were looking for. Rachael's eyes just lit up at the sight of people riding around on the horses. She asked me about 10 times was I sure she could come ride instead of doing exercises for therapy? To her it seemed like I had just told her she could play instead of work!

Jen has participated in local competitions and state games. She has won medals and a trophy and is so proud of them but they are not the reason she continues riding. She loves Jo, the horses, and having progressed to riding without a lead or side walker. She feels good about herself!

Jen tried riding at another stable but never felt the same comfort or enjoyment. The instructor tried but the building of self-esteem just wasn't there. Jennifer wouldn't be able to express why she didn't like it, but after a few weeks asked if she could go back to everybody rides.

Rose was diagnosed with spastic quadriparesis cerebral palsy (among other diagnoses) at an early age, and will probably never walk without intensive assistance. She is basically nonverbal, with just a few words in her vocabulary... ...but the additional benefits of therapeutic horse-back riding have been very helpful for her. Riding a horse helps Rose to maintain an upright position, while the horse's rhythmic stride takes her through the motions of walking and strengthens her trunk muscles.

Her instructor, Jo Anderson, helps stimulate verbalization by encouraging Rose to give the horse simple commands, even though the gentle and well-trained angels know the routine by heart! Rose loves to be way up tall, higher than even Mom and Dad!

Kyle has been riding for approximately 10 years. It is the one truly satisfying activity in Kyle's life. He enjoys every minute of each session as seen by his ever-present smile. Under Jo Anderson's skilled and caring hands, Kyle has gained much more than just the physical benefits of therapeutic horse riding. Participating in Special Olympics, Kyle has experienced the thrill of competition -- whether it is the excitement of the win or the disappointment of maybe not doing quite as well as he wished: All part of the "normal child's" growing process.

My daughter Kelly was born with Spina Bifida. She is paralyzed from the knees down and uses a wheelchair to get around. Occasionally, Kelly has depression about her disability and not being able to do some things that her peers can. Riding horses does great things for Kelly's self-esteem, not to mention the benefits of wonderful physical therapy! For the time Kelly is on the horse, she forgets all about her disability.

I must say that I enjoy Everybody Rides just as much as Kelly! Sue has kept the same girls together for a few years now since they are close in age and get along so well. The mothers of this group also get along very well, and it's like a support group. It helps to know that you're not alone with a "special needs child".

When I ride, I look back and remember when I was younger. I used to think, "I'll never be able to do anything a child without a disability can do." But one day, I was told about a place that teaches disabled people of all ages how to ride horses. Well you can imagine my joy when I called and started riding.

Learning is a challenge to Tyler. His riding instructor, Jo, is wonderful at challenging him to learn, yet helping him just before he gets too frustrated to learn. I can see such a feeling of confidence grow in him as he tells an animal many times his own size to do something and have the horse obey. His confidence helps him in all areas through the whole next week after he has ridden. Riding is an activity he has found he really enjoys and has a natural skill for that can be developed with proper training.