I like their colors and I like their size. One of the horses drinks Coca Cola and eats Smarties. Because a horse gait mimics the movement of the human pelvis, for some riders it can be a first-time experience similar to walking upright. Many see improved muscle strength, coordination, balance and posture, among other benefits. It isn't just physical.
Riders often experience a sense of accomplishment, acceptance and self-esteem.
For some it is as dramatic as trading a wheelchair for a 1,100-pound animal that can run like the wind. Jenny Nell has seen her share of those magical moments. Take the case of one girl who couldn't sit in the saddle on her own and frequently passed out. Today, the little entrepreneur gives lessons to her neighborhood friends and rents out her own pony, Nell said. Nell's bond with the kids comes from her whirlwind energy, and perhaps from the time she was thrown by a racing Thoroughbred.