The Autism News | English


Steven Muck put on his riding helmet, stood thoughtfully on the mounting ramp, then carefully mounted Amigo, a specially trained horse at Rainbow Therapeutic Riding Center in Haymarket.

The Forest Park High School student sat in the saddle for a few minutes surrounded by a team of instructors, side walkers and his special education teacher, MaryAnn O’Brien.

He had promised himself the week before that he would mount the 16-year-old chestnut quarter horse.

He was encouraged to take a few steps, but that would wait for another day: Muck said he was taking baby steps.

When he dismounted, O’Brien was waiting for him with a high-five.

Sitting on Amigo was a huge step for Muck, who is one of 63 Forest Park special education students with autism or intellectual and physical disabilities participating in a new equine program funded by a grant from Potomac Health Foundation.

O’Brien was originally looking for a therapeutic riding center where she could take her students on a field trip.

As a Prince William County school’s special ed teacher, she faces issues such as limited opportunities for therapeutic recreation and affordability, she said.

After talking with Debi Alexander, executive director of Rainbow Center, they decided to join forces last spring and write a grant application for “The Mane Experience,” a project to serve Forest Park students who have physical and intellectual disabilities.

The Washington Post – Post Local

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