“We have a young autistic boy who started in our therapeutic riding program when he was 4 years old. He was non-verbal, would not make eye contact with staff or volunteers, and only his dad could walk alongside him for most of his first year. Throughout the past couple of years, we’ve used sign language to teach him the horse commands. He has bonded and built relationships with staff and volunteers, and walks up the ramp to get on the horse himself. He is grooming and leading his horse this season in Tack & Ride.”