Students benefit from Kids & Horses program

Staff Reports

After waiting two years for her daughter to be admitted to the Kids & Horses therapeutic riding program, Kelly Cain can tell that her fifth-grade daughter Hannah, who suffers with cerebral palsy, already loves riding her horse.

Andrea Williams waited two years for her fourth-grade son Christopher Williams to begin riding at Kids & Horses. Williams said she noticed that Christopher, who has been diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, is more confident and more social since he began riding with the Kids & Horses program a month ago. She said she is pleased with his progress.

Kids & Horses is a 501(c)3 nonprofit program in Minden that since 1999 has offered therapeutic riding programs for children and adults with disabilities. Sarah Wolfshol discovered Kids & Horses after hearing good reports from a friend who took her daughter to the ranch.

Wolfshol has seen results in her 4-year-old daughter Lillian, who has been riding for just one semester.

"She started getting better balance since riding, and although she is in gymnastics, she has gotten a lot better after riding the horse," Wolfshol said. "Her confidence has also improved."

Theresa Rinaldi waited a year for her son to be admitted to the Kids & Horses program. She drives from Reno because she thinks it's important for her son Peter, who has Down syndrome.

"He is really excited about it and he loves it," Rinaldi said. "That is the first step. He seems to be doing well and learning. When speaking to the instructors I hear about students becoming self-reliant, and I get so excited to think that Peter can gain that too."

Kids & Horses is the only North American Riding for the Handicapped Association Premier Accredited Center in northern Nevada. Instructors are certified and have training through NARHA, a national organization that provides leadership, operating standards, safety rules, regulations and insurance coverage for approved centers.

Kids & Horses offers one-on-one individually tailored riding lessons to improve strength, coordination and self-esteem of students at its facility at 2869 Esaw St. in Minden. The organization's scholarship programs allow children in need to receive assistance. Forty percent of students are on scholarship.

How to get involved in Kids & Horses:

The community is invited to participate in a contest to design a new Kids & Horses logo that best represents Kids & Horses, the students and our commitment to equine therapy. The winner may choose shirts and collateral to have imprinted with his or her name. Submit designs by Nov. 30 to alexis@kidsandhorses.org or to the ranch at 2869 Esaw St., Minden, NV 89423.

Kids & Horses seeks volunteers to assist children with riding lessons and in other duties to help promote confidence and the love of riding in children and young adults with disabilities.

Kids & Horses appreciates donations and sponsorships to help expand programs to the dozens of children who are still on their waiting list.

For information on how to become a volunteer or donor, contact the Kids & Horses office, (775) 771-5512 or alexis@kidandhorses.org