Commentary: A horse of another color

The horse is a kind, majestic and elegant creature unlike any other - loyal in sport, in leisure, in work and, according to Katie McGowan, executive director of Camp HorseAbility, in providing therapeutic services.

"More than 15 years ago, I had lent my horse to a physical therapist who utilized

him as a tool for treatment for somebody with cerebral palsy," McGowan said. "I saw the magnificent outcomes of the child, both physically and emotionally, on and off the horse. I knew that was the direction I wanted to go."

Can you tell us a little about HorseAbility?

HorseAbility is a therapeutic horseback riding program that I created 15 years ago. The natural gait of a horse is about a 1/4-inch difference from that of a full-grown adult, and the horse's movement - up and down, side to side, front to back and diagonal - in just one step engages the riders' systems in a way that cannot be emulated by any other means. Because it matches the muscle movement, the structural bone movement and the sensory movement of its riders, the horse acts as a tool for physical therapy, occupational therapy and even speech therapy. There are children and adults who are unable to walk before getting on a horse; after their half-hour session or their therapeutic ride, they are taking steps - guided, aided or even unaided. It's miraculous.