The effects have been profound already, and only six weeks havepassed since involving Mamie Martin Elementary School specialeducation students in the Freedom Reins Therapeutic Riding Center’sprogram at Fair River Farms.

“It’s amazing the changes we have seen. They (students) havebecome much more expressive and more verbal,” said volunteer JeffMay.

The seven students, accompanied by their special educationteacher Brandy Myers and several school staff members, visit FairRiver Farms every Friday from 9-11 a.m. The time allows each childapproximately 30 minutes of riding and performing tasks while onthe horse.

Volunteers accompany Freedom Reins co-founders, Becky Green,Anne Henderson and Lu Becker, as the horse walks a child around theriding arena.

During the ride, students are encouraged to use coordinationskills to pull rings from a stand and place them back, or shoot aball through a basketball goal.

“It improves balance and flexibility,” Myers said. “One of thekids is very autistic and he rocks and sways, but when he gets onthe horse, he melts.”

Smiles, laughter and squeals are common sights and sounds on thefarm every Friday as the children laugh and play withvolunteers.

“The volunteers are wonderful,” said Myers. “They take such aninterest in the kids.”

While anxiously awaiting their turn, the children play togetherin a designated area.

It’s hard for them to hide their excitement as they ask theirteacher when will their turn come up.

Once their turn comes, the student is escorted up a special rampto the awaiting horse. Before mounting the horse, the student issecured with a hard hat and safety belt.

Then they tell the horse to “Walk on,” and their ridebegins.

“Many of the children are non-verbal, but they’ll tell the horseto walk on,” said Myers.

After several years as a special education teacher, Myers is inawe at the remarkable difference she has noticed in her studentssince the program began. She hopes the program, which is a pilotclass, will become a regular class.

If the class is proven to be successful and approved by districtofficials, it will continue in the Brookhaven School District.

“This is a wonderful program. This is definitely something thatis looked forward to every week,” said Myers.

On Thursday, the children were able to watch a video ofthemselves riding horses, and Myers said it caused quite a bit ofexcitement in the students.

“They were watching it and pointing at themselves. They lovedit,” she said.

Freedom Reins volunteers have been moved by the changes they’veseen in the students. The weekly ride is something the volunteerslook forward to as well, as they wait to see what another ride willbring.

“It’s amazing to see the before and after,” said Green.

Green hopes others will join the program and help to make it anasset to the Lincoln County area.

Volunteers are still needed to assist the students during theweekly visits. During each ride, at least three people are neededto “sidewalk,” which means to walk on either side of the horsewhile holding on to the student.

“Anyone with experience with horses is a plus, but it’sdefinitely not necessary,” said Green.

Henderson pointed out that there are other areas as well thatcould use some more volunteers.

“We need people to direct activities with the children when theyaren’t riding,” she said, adding that activities have already beenplanned but they do not have enough people to enact them.

Since the program is funded through donations and run byvolunteers, contributions are still needed to assist withinsurance, food, utilities and care for the horses.

“Dr. Bob Watson has donated his time to take care of them, butwe still need donations for everything else,” said Henderson.

For more information on Freedom Reins, or to find out how todonate, call 823-4700.