Horses
for healing
Some very special horses are
helping kids get healthy and strong
By Karen Rice
Official Kids Mag
At a beautiful farm in Bentonville, we
recently met some gentle four-legged
friends who aren't pets, exactly.
Their job though, is all about helping
kids. Their names are Milo, Jay Jay,
Checkers, Millie, Zeus, Garfield and
Tonka. They are very special horses,
chosen for their good temperament
and special abilities with their clients:
children.
You see, these horses are trained to
help kids gain skills and confidence. Some
of the kids have physical or other special needs
that keep them from running and playing or feeling
calm and safe. Others, like Alexis S. of Springdale, just feel
happy when they are around the horses.
Alexis S., 10, is a 5th grader at Tyson Elementary in
Springdale. She first visited Horses for Healing NWA with
her older brother Diego four years ago. She fell in love with
the horses and wanted to come with him to learn more and
ride the horses. Her favorite horse is Milo, a white horse,
who like the others is sweet and patient.
Adaptive Riding Instructor Polly Canez
works with kids starting at four years old.
She says that interaction with these gentle
animals teaches a lot about patience,
tolerance, kindness and social skills.
"The kids get to experience a lot of life
through the horses," Polly explained. "They
learn to trust the world and themselves.
They learn to cope with other things in
life."
For instance, when Alexis' grandma
passed away recently, being with the horses
helped Alexis deal with that loss, her mom
Megan explained. Alexis can be shy, but
since working with the horses Megan sees
how much more confidence her daughter
has. "She sticks up for herself. She wants to
conquer the world."
30 • NoVember 2021 • www.officialKidsmag.com
