Colchester, IL – The McDonough County Special Recreation Association demonstrated its ANGEL program over the weekend. It uses an introduction to horsemanship to help both the physically and mentally challenged.
Program director Julie Cagle says the riding exercises, though done at a walking pace, help the physically challenged improve balance and muscle strength. She says the program also helps its clients socially.
They are introduced to a program with strict rules, which helps them learn order. In addition, she says some of the activities, such as grooming, give clients a chance to talk to an amimal that will listen and not interrupt. She says it can be almost meditative, and that helps some clients come to grips with their feelings.
The program began in May of last year. Cagle says three horses have been loaned for use on Mondays and Wednesdays for two hours at a time.
Housed at the Diamond D Boarding Arena south of Colchester, the program is accumulating riding tack. She says it has already purchased a lift that can be used to lift wheelchair clients into and out of the saddle.