SUN VALLEY : Disabled Kids Make Strides on Horseback

Every day at Ahead With Horses, children make small strides over their disabilities.

“But the kids always do their absolute best in front of a crowd,” said Denise Tomey, program coordinator of the agency.

This Sunday is “Fun Day” at the agency, which uses the therapeutic nature of horseback riding to build motor control and break through emotional barriers of disabled children.

The highlight of Fun Day--the 14th annual fund-raiser for Ahead With Horses--will be a demonstration by the children in vaulting, a form of gymnastics performed on horseback. Tomey said that many children will be setting some personal firsts that day because they will have an audience of family members cheering them on.

“They just work a little harder when there are people out there rooting for them,” Tomey said.

The event runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the facility, 9311 Del Arroyo Drive, Sun Valley. Donation is $12 for general admission and $6 for children 4 through 12.

The fund-raiser will include more family activities than in previous years, Tomey said, including a petting zoo, children’s crafts and games and a barbecue. Following the vaulting demonstration at 1 p.m. will be an exhibition by trick riders.

Horseback riding helps the children learn motor skills through the movement of the horse. Normal motions that become a chore during a typical physical therapy session become fun on horseback, Tomey said.

“What it does is the movement of the horse changes the thinking and concentration,” she said. “There is a different motivation when you tell them to move to give the horse a hug or reach up and touch the mane. The kids will do things that they don’t do elsewhere.”

The 200 children now in the program will be on hand for Sunday’s fund-raiser, although only 40 to 50 of them will perform. For more information, call (818) 767-6373.