Helping Hooves

16 year old Dasha Lipke is riding a black horse named KoKo. Instructor Liz Fortes is giving her tips on how to hold the reins. Dasha has a neurological delay, which is a brain disorder that affects learning and emotion. She said that while people may have negative opinions about her, horses don't.
 
"People will judge you, but a horse doesn't care about who you are or how you feel," Lipke said. "They just care that you're okay, and they really love you." 
 
Dasha's been coming to the Pegasus Therapeutic Riding Center in Brewster, New York for 10 years. Experts say the reason equine therapy is so effective is that horses behave similarly to how people do in their social and responsive behavior. This makes it easier for people with mental or physical handicaps to establish a connection with a horse. Some of the benefits of equine therapy are an improved sense of self-worth, better communication skills, and the ability to trust the people around you more easily. 
 
John Carney has been around horses for a good part of his life. He's been volunteering at Pegasus for a little over a year. He said what really matters are the small victories like the confidence kids develop along the way. 
 
"When you do see the children smiling and happy and maybe forgetting about their issues for a little while I think that's the most important thing."
 
Dasha's mom, Dawn, agrees. She said that riding horses has had numerous benefits for Dasha. 
 
"It's taught her to follow directions from others, to interact with her peers, and it strengthens her body because of the exercises they do while they're riding," Dawn Lipke said.
 
During lessons riders walk, trot, and navigate their way through obstacle courses. All the while instructors are talking to them and encouraging communication. 
 
For some parents watching their child ride a horse is easier than others. Donna Tigano said she was terrified the first time she saw her daughter get on a horse. 
 
"You didn't know how she was going to react," Tigano said. "I mean it's this little kid on this big animal."
 
Tigano's daughter lives with bipolar disorder. She said she's much more comfortable watching her daughter ride now. Tacano said the horses have earned her peace of mind for all the things they've done to help her daughter. 
 
"She's grown more confident," Tigano said. "She is proud of her accomplishments here, and she loves the horses."
 

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