A deaf child feels the horse as a warm breathing body. It is soft and the horse's movements are very similar to human, as if that child was walking. This is one reason it is so important to ride the physically handicapped. This is an animal that will accept them for what they are, black, white, beautiful or ugly. When the students ride, they must wear a padded riding helmet with a chin strap and a safety belt.
Volunteers walk on both sides of the horse and hold onto the rider's safety belt.
Another volunteer leads the horse around the arena and another volunteer gives the children directions for exercises. It motivates the kids so much. Sometimes a handicapped child lacks the motivation to exercise. This program offers them positive benefits with motivation they may not be able to get any other way. Elliott has given of herself as a coach and volunteer for the Special Olympics for 20 years, a Girl Scout leader for 12 years, and a volunteer firefighter.