“It’s Hard”: Illinois’ Equestrians Host Heartwarming Event for Special Needs Children, Spotlighting Therapeutic Horse Therapy

The power of horses extends beyond the boundaries of the equestrian racetrack. Along with their immense strength and power, horses have the magical ability to heal. And wielding this power of horses, or equine therapy, is gaining much-deserved attention and recognition lately.

Countless people have shared their testimonies about how interaction with these pure creatures has helped in reducing anxiety, decreasing stress, and overall making them feel good. And now, in Illinois, a recent event spotlighting equine therapy took place in an unlikely place, bringing the magic of horses to children with special needs.

Illinois’ Equestrians host a special horse therapy session

According to WGN 9, in Schaumburg, Illinois, miniature therapy horses stole the spotlight at a movie theatre. “Mane in Heaven,” a non-profit organization, connected miniature horses with little children with disabilities and their families at a movie screening of the new Disney movie “Wish.” President Dina Morgan of the foundation shared with WGN, “It’s hard if you have a child with a special need or complex medical need. Sometimes, it’s hard to do a movie or special event, so this is an event we have for them.”

The unique aspect of this equestrian-themed screening allowed kids to freely move around with the lights on, creating a welcoming atmosphere for them to enjoy the movie alongside the soft and comforting presence of the adorable miniature therapy horses. “Mane in Heaven,” the non-profit that often hosts many such events, brings joy and comfort to countless children with a noble mission in mind.

The mission and impact of “Mane in Heaven”

“Mane in Heaven” has seen many “mini miracles” thanks to their mission, which is “connecting people with miniature horses to promote empathy, kindness, and overall wellbeing.” An illustration of their equestrian impact is beautifully captured in their documentary on their YouTube page, specifically in a heartwarming moment featuring a young girl named Phoenix at Shriners Hospital for Children.

Before the volunteers of the program got to the hospital, little Pheonix was afraid to walk, seemingly convinced that she couldn’t. However, as soon as she laid her eyes on the miniature horses, Hope and Pixie, her eyes lit up, and she eagerly walked beside the horses using her little walker. She even wanted to go outside to continue to walk, much to the surprise of her mother and her physical therapist. The beautiful moment captured the mighty power of healing that even these tiny horses hold.

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Morgan shares, “Horses are very intuitive, pick up on people’s emotions. They just have that uncanny ability to connect and build that bond…how can you not feel good when you look at these little guys?”

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