Camp Able in Buffalo Gap, Texas, has been offering therapeutic horse riding since 2014, providing significant benefits to children with special needs such as autism, Down syndrome, and ADHD. The program uses the sensory experience of riding—like the horse’s rhythmic walk and the feel of the reins—to help improve riders’ balance, body awareness, and emotional regulation.

According to Executive Director Cody Cox, the positive effects extend beyond the riding sessions, enhancing children’s academic engagement and relaxation. The structured and predictable nature of the program offers a calming environment for children who may become easily overwhelmed. Spring sessions are scheduled to start in March, with enrollment opening in February.