and communication issues. What's amazing is seeing the massive difference being with the ponies and horses makes over a short time. It really changes the lives of these children and teenagers in a really positive way. It reflects just what Tina and Tracy talk about in the article. This group, South Bucks RDA, has been doing this for over 40 years - and everyone there seems to know about this fantastic therapeutic effect of horses. Its a real shame that no one in government knows it! The group gets no funding except for what they raise, and they are struggling. Maybe you can help, by writing to your MP about this for all RDA, or if you have a spare pound or two, at www.justgiving.com/southbucksrda As a trainer and therapeutic riding instructor, I can say that in my experience rescued, abused horses do not often make the best therapy animals. Many of them have had quite enough of humans and therapy work is stressful for the animal. There was a very small study done measuring cortisol blood levels to determine stress in a horses that were ridden vs. used for psychotherapy. The psychotherapy was much more stressful for the horse. It's great to have all this talk about what the horses can do for people, and it is true. However, the horses used in this work need attention too. A very small percentage absolutely love it and would be happy doing it all day long. Many tolerate it reasonably well