Local residents can see how horses help special need children Saturday as Manna’s Hana Riding Center hosts an open house.
Executive Director Bobbie Abell said Abell said the goal of the open house is to let the community know who they are and what they provide. Abell said the center opened in 2011 and has changed the lives of many people who have special needs.
“See the changes in these children’s lives from wheelchairs to walkers to learning that they can accomplish more than what the parents think they can accomplish,” Abell said. “Seeing some of our riders go on that have never had a job go on and get jobs and function in society.”
Abell said along with meeting and taking pictures, families with special needs children can see a live demonstration of how the staff would work with the child when riding a horse. Abell said riding horses provides emotional and physical benefits that ultimately lead to people with special needs overcoming the obstacles in their way.
“What the horse does is to achieve the rider’s life goal by contributing positively to their cognitive, physical, emotional, and social well-being,” Abell said. “It teaches core strength, hand coordination, dexterity, and sets them up for success.”
Abell said it is rewarding to see kids have their lives changed simply by having a close bond with a horse.
“When we see the children get excited about coming to meet with their horse that they bond with, there is nothing like it,” Abell said. “We have parents saying that they have their boots, and they have their helmets ready to go on the day that they ride or they will say how many days till I get to go see my horse again.”
Abell said the open house will offer free refreshments, crafts, and also information on volunteer opportunities. The open house runs from 10am-12pm on Saturday, March 1.
Manna’s Hana Riding Center is a non-profit corporation that provides therapeutic horseback riding services for people with special needs.
