From The Ground Up Therapeutic Horsemanship provides therapy to people with disabilities through different activities with horses. 

Horses have made a huge impact on Mary Dorsch.

“It means I can focus on the horse and the horse can focus on me and I don’t have anything to worry about," she said.

Everyone has activities they love to do that help them escape their struggles.

Horseback riding gives Mary Dorsch comfort.

“I like just how they feel and they can feel my movements and I like the way they can trot in different ways and how they listen to my signals," Dorsch said.

Dorsch has developmental delay, which means she doesn’t have the same developmental skills expected from people her age. Since she was 4 years old, she’s loved riding horses and the emotional connection it creates.

“The horse is like my therapy and if I have things on my mind she just makes my mind go straight to her and nothing else," she said.

According to the National Library of Medicine, horses help reduce stress and improve confidence. Having horseback riding in Mary’s life is special for her father, Skip.

“When a child is faced with additional challenges finding a place where they can not only grow and achieve but find satisfaction and joy is tremendous," he said.

Its impact is clear.

“She feels like she’s accomplishing a lot when she rides and she’s progressed over the years," he said. "It’s been really a great gift for Mary.”

Mary wouldn’t be riding without Andrea Colella who’s trained her for over two decades. Horses and humans have a special bond that is created with a sense of trust.

“Because they know that horse is dependable," Colella said. "That horse doesn’t see color, doesn’t see disability, doesn’t see depression.”

Every ride creates a special moment for Mary.

“It makes me very happy when I get to ride," she said.