Imagine the lives of children who always run slower than the other kids, children who lack the coordination or physical strength or endurance to keep up. Now imagine that angels have given them a way to move effortlessly and fluidly, almost gliding above the heads of their peers. Imagine how their confidence and self esteem would grow when they master new skills. Those are the gifts given by the Angels on Horseback.

Their therapeutic riding and driving programs use specially trained horses and ponies to teach balance and coordination.

Not only does the Angels on Horseback program work with children and adults with conditions that affect coordination or strength, like cerebial palsy, they also work with conditions that affect communication, like autism and speech impairments. Children can often connect with a horse when they have difficulty forming bonds with people. Part of the reason is that the horses don't impose themselves on the child; they don't talk. And they respond to non-verbal cues, like how the child leans or holds the reigns, making them seem magical.

In some cases, children are intimidated by the horses, so the program introduces the horses slowly, sometimes even using carriages pulled by the horses to give the children a chance get familiar with the animals.

Each horse is hand-picked, screened, and trained by the staff members. They use several different breeds of horses in the riding and driving program, but rely heavily on the Tennessee walking horses and Fjords. The Tennessee walking horses are very smooth walkers, always maintaining a tripod balance as they walk, making them easy to ride. Tennessee walkers are the favorites of tourist trail riders nationwide. The Fjords are actually large draft ponies with very broad backs and also easy for disabled children to ride. On occasion the Angels on Horseback program uses Morgans, Quarterhorses, and draft horses, depending on the rider's skill and the needs of the therapy.

The horses are never handfed -- it's too easy for horses to mistake a finger for a carrot -- so a child who brings an apple or other treat for their favorite horse are instructed on proper feeding of a horse and taught to place the treat in the horse's feeding bin.

Of course there is more to the program than "just riding a horse". Even horses get bored just going around in circles, so the staff has devised games that interests both riders and horses: horse basketball, egg and spoon balancing, ring toss, Simon Says, and much more. For the horses, it increases interest, but for the riders, it helps develop and improve motor skills, balance, muscle tone, and self-esteem.

Angels on Horseback operates Monday through Friday, 9-4, with groups of 6 or more, and on weekends 9-4 for small groups and individuals. You can find them in Exeter, West on route 165 almost to Beach Pond Park, a the Double C Farm, 2552C Ten Rod Road. You can call them at 401/539-6106 or visit their website at http://doublecfarm.com/angels_on_horseback.htm

They are always looking for volunteers. Details about volunteer positions are at http://www.volunteersolutions.org/vcri/org/opp.tcl?agency_id=3768634

Double C Farm's website is at http://doublecfarm.com/

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