We Can Ride, Inc., a Minnetonka-based 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization serving children and adults living with disabilities is seeking sponsors and funding for our herd of therapy horses! We Can Ride pairs calm, quiet, well-trained horses with volunteers to teach people of all ages living with disabilities how to ride horses. The gait of the horse mimicks the human walk - the horse's pelvis is shaped almost identically to ours! People limited by a life in a wheelchair get the opportunity to stretch and activate muscles they never would otherwise when they ride horses. Children or adults struggling with cognitive challenges like autism spectrum disorder experience the unconditional love of the horse and the organizing expeience of riding with rhythm and cadence.
One of the most beloved horses in our herd is Happy. Happy is the favorite of many riders - he specializes in working with little children and folks who are in wheelchairs who need lots of help from sidewalkers to stay balanced. Because Happy has a narrow frame and is low to the ground, places his feet carefully, and is willing to stand for long periods of time, he's perfectly suited to help riders with diagnoses like cerebral palsy who have muscle tightness or low trunk tone. He's also equipped with sturdy legs which allow him to accommodate lighter adults despite his diminuitive height of 52 inches at the shoulder!
Happy has a metabolic condition that has to be medicated daily. Medications, special supplements, and medical care for a horse is costly - but we couldn't serve our wonderful riders without Happy! Supporting his care each year is about $3000 - but a gift of as little as $10 would pay for his medication for the month of January. Every bit counts!
Visit www.wecanride.org and click "DONATE NOW!" on the right side of the page. Enter your information and select "Horse Sponsor" as the designation in the drop down menu. You can mention Happy in the "Notes" section!