When the therapeutic riding season started up again last month, it didn't take Josh Holton long to notice the benefits.
The 11-year-old, who uses a walker, said the balance it takes to ride a horse translates into his everyday life by making it easier for him to get around.
"It helps me walk better, I get to stretch my legs," Holton said.
A regular at the Prince George Agriplex for years, Holton has picked up a number of horsemanship skills - including how to steer.
"You get to control them by yourself," he said, proudly.
For 21 years, the volunteer-led group has helped children and adults with different disabilities get exercise and learn skills by taking riding lessons. The program started with five children as clients, growing substantially in numbers over the years. This summer it's expected that a record 36 clients will take part.
Barb Warkentine, one of the co-founders of the group, said the benefits for the participants are both physical and emotional.
"The riders all have goals they set every year, so they do learn to ride," she said. "They learn different skills: self-esteem, encouragement, reigning and steering."
Over the years, the group has helped people with a variety of disabilities, from autism and cerebral palsy to emotional and mental illnesses to dementia. Although it's not for everyone, Warkentine said the smile on the faces of those who do enjoy it tell the story.
Marinka Van Hage had a big smile on her face when she talked about how much fun it is to ride. The 22-year-old said the balance skills she picked up in her classes helped her learn to ride a bike.
"It's so much fun because we have great people to help us," she said.
The therapeutic riding organization will be putting on a demonstration on Thursday as part of the Prince George Horse Society's open house from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Argriplex.
All the different user groups will have displays and horse society representatives will be on hand to discuss the group's long-term expansion plans, which will star this year with new hay shelters and will eventually include a new arena.
"It's a long time and it's a dream that we want to come true," Warkentine said. "It will come true, it always does. Prince George people always come through."
When the project is complete, Warkentine said it will allow therapeutic riding to take place 30-hours a week, all year long. Currently the group holds sessions on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from May to October and there's a waiting list of about 15 people.
"There are lots of people who would like to be part of the program and we can't really facilitate everyone," Warkentine said. "But we try to facilitate everyone we can."
The group operates with a budget of about $30,000 a year with income coming from a pair of major fundraisers as well as user fees. Warkentine said the goal is to bring in $50,000, which would allow the group to purchase more horses and make it more affordable for adult clients who don't have government funding to defer costs.
Right now the therapeutic riders own three horses and borrow others, but Warkentine said the group eventually wants to own 10 to 12 animals.
"It's really hard to find a good horse," she said. "They need to have a personality, but at the same time they need to understand."
A couple dozen volunteers keep the program going by helping the riders navigate the Agriplex. Some of the clients require a leader and two sidewalkers, while some others have graduated to riding solo.
Warkentine said more volunteers are always needed and said people don't have to be familiar with horses to help out. More information on the program and how to volunteer is available online at www.pgtra.webs.com.
