City Angel
Healing on horseback By Cindy Hawkins
palsy, a disorder that attacks movement and muscle coordination, but here, on McCoy Farm, D.J. claps, smiles, and with the help of instructors, stays in control of the gentle giant. There’s just something soothing
R
about horses, the rhythmic gait that rocks riders back and forth, the texture of the silky coat and velvety muscle. So it’s a natural progression for horses to be used as therapy for people with a range of disabilities. Alternative therapies have always had
their doubters, but seeing the positive results of hippotherapy, or equine therapy, can turn these naysayers into “neigh” sayers. According to the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association, North Carolina currently has more than 34 therapeutic equine centers. Some centers focus on helping people with emotional or mental challenges, such as attention deficit disorder, bipolar disorder or autism, while others focus on physical disabilities.
Horses make a difference Here in our own backyard, sisters
Elaine and Emily McCoy combine their love of horses and helping people
58|Special Issue • 2009
OCKFISH – Three-year- old D.J. Hester sits tall on a gray horse called Naborah, waving to his parents as he circles the arena.
Out of the ring, D.J. battles cerebral
