Horses for Heroes

BY GWENN WELCH
SPECIAL TO THE STAR-BANNERMARION COUNTY -

Horses for Heroes, a nationwide program, has come to the Horse Capital of the World.The North American Riding for the Handicapped Association established the program for America's wounded service personnel and veterans. Riders participating in recent pilot projects at Fort Hood, Fort Meyers and the Department of Veteran Affairs found improvements in physical balance, gait and morale.
Now the program is being offered through the Marion Therapeutic Riding Association. The local riding center promotes the benefits of horses for individuals with disabilities."Individuals with special needs have been shown to improve muscle tone, balance, posture coordination, motor development and emotional well being," said Kate Robbins, the local association's program coordinator. Marion Therapeutic Riding Association has been recognized by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association as a premier accredited center. They are one of seven therapeutic riding centers in the country to participate in the Horses for Heroes program. Robbins said the organization launched the new program by working with residents at the Fort McCoy VFW Retirement Home."We expect this project to be a great success," said Gera Judge, director of program development for the retirement home.
Last weekend, five veterans who recently returned from Iraq came to Marion County from the James Haley Veterans Hospital in Tampa to participate in the Horses for Heroes program. Some were amputees and others had suffered brain injuries. Hospital workers felt their participation in the program would have a positive impact on their recovery. The Marion Therapeutic Riding Association, located at 3143 17th St., will add a second facility in early 2008. The Greenway facility will be located at 6860 S.E. 41st Court, Ocala, and will include a covered riding arena."We feel that concept protects our clients, volunteers, horses and instructors from the elements," Robbins said. The 30 acres of land for the new facility were donated by the Florida Greenway; a Marion County Development Grant provided funds to build the structure."It's a new season, and new programs," said Robbins. "We have new faces and fabulous new horses to introduce this innovative program."