Easy riders: Therapeutic equine program adds balance to disabled students

OROVILLE — KayLynn Booth’s favorite thing to do is ride horses. But for Booth, who suffers from a genetic condition that severely impacts her speech, fine motor skills and mental development, riding her “baby,” a large quarter-draft mare named “Jenna,” is more than play. It’s therapy.

“She loves it and when she’s not riding she asks when she can go ride again,” said Loree Lampke, Booth’s older sister and in-home care provider. “She’s all smiles when she’s up there in the saddle,” Lampke said.

Booth, 24, has been a Handi-Rider of Northern California student for 10 years. During that time, Lampke says she has seen her sister’s physical mobility and speech increase. She has also seen her social skills develop. Booth now frequently speaks in complete sentences, makes eye contact with others and is “comfortable interacting people,” said Lampke. Read More…