Miniature Therapy Horses Are Changing Lives

Miniature Therapy Horses Are Changing Lives Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses of Ocala, Fla., is dedicated to bringing joy to those who need it most. “It’s always a magical experience when a real horse walks into the hospital room of a sick child,” says Education Director Debbie Garcia-Bengochea. “Our teams of tiny horses bring love to thousands of adults and children each year inside hospitals, hospice programs and assisted living programs, and to the families, veterans and first responders who have experienced traumatic events.” This award-winning charity is approaching three decades of operation. “We were the first miniature therapy horse charity in the world,” she says. “We started with children in high-crime neighborhoods who had never seen a horse before. Our program has developed and improved ever since.”  Today, teams of tiny horses visit thousands of children and adults every year. “Our horses work within oncology units, intensive care units, and with occupational, speech and physical therapists as part of the treatment for patients who have suffered strokes, traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries, amputations and burns,” Garcia-Bengochea says. Each horse goes through a two-year basic in-hospital training program. There, the horses learn to walk up and down steps, ride in elevators, and carefully move around hospital and television studio equipment. They also learn how to stay calm around unexpected sounds, like ambulances and alarms.  The training time is worth it, as healthy miniature horses can live into their thirties, years longer than a standard-sized horse. “Our horses make it look easy, but working inside is a challenge for any animal,” Garcia-Bengochea says. “They’re always learning new skills. Each horse must keep up with their training and exercise. And yes, they’re all bathroom trained—there’s no poop bags.” They’re transported in a horsebox van, which makes traveling through cities and parking in front of hospitals easier. “Our therapy horses require all of the daily care of horses of any size,” Garcia-Bengochea says. “Each horse works two days a week at most and otherwise lives a very everyday life with a forever herd. They run over many acres and are protected by a team of livestock guardian dogs.” “Reading with Horses,” another popular program offered by Gentle Carousel, aims to inspire a love for books. The miniature horses make visits to schools, libraries, mentoring programs and other literacy events, providing grade-appropriate books and activities at each stop. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses, 2775 NW 49th Ave., Ste. 205, Ocala, Fla. 34482 (ph 352-226-9009; gentlecarousel@gmail.com; www.gentlecarouseltherapyhorses.com).

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