For many children, horses can seem like both a majestic and terrifying creature. With horses’ large bodies and powerful strides, it’s unsurprising that some kids might be a little uneasy around them and hesitant to hop atop one to learn how to ride. But at one horseback riding facility in New York, horses are acting as therapy animals for a very special group of kids.
GallopNYC in Howard Beach, New York is a nonprofit offering therapeutic horseback riding to young students with special needs. In a PIX 11 segment, Brooklyn schoolteacher Jessica Pinder of P.S. K004 and her kids spoke with reporters about what a great experience it’s been to learn how to ride at GallopNYC.
“They’re learning social skills, they’re learning how to work with others, they’re learning how to work with animals,” Pinder explained. “I love horses,” one little boy named Ellis told Mr. G. At GallopNYC, instructors help the kids perform occupational and physical exercises using the horses.
“There are children that come here, when they first arrive they are really afraid, and they won’t go anywhere near a horse,” GallopNYC manager and instructor Marie Varvaro said. “And before you know it, there’s a bond there between them and the horse. It’s just incredible.” Check out the video below, and see for yourself how the kids’ faces light up with happiness when they interact with their newfound horse friends.
https://youtu.be/5CgG5HEPWl4