Local therapeutic center pulls back reins on traveling mini horses

GHENT, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A group of mini horses is bringing comfort to individuals in Columbia County, but they've recently had to pull back the reins on their services because of transportation issues.

High and Mighty Therapeutic Center is located in Columbia County on 60 acres of land in Ghent. The herd of mini horses found running in the pastures are on a mission to heal.

Rachel Conaway, the executive director of the group, explained, "Horses have this unique ability to absorb the emotion and the feeling as well as reflect it back."

Conaway has seen time and again how her horses can provide a path to connection. With the use of a minivan, the mini horses visit local libraries, senior centers, and nursing homes. Bridget Decloure, the activity director at the Grand at Barnwell, a rehab and nursing home facility, added, "We've had residents that will start crying because it brings back childhood memories."

Moments reflected on the faces of the residents at the Grand at Barnwell.

"Being able to pet a horse and being able to break away from the pain, even if it's just a few minutes, your mind is now free. You're forgetting about pain, even if it's for a few moments," Decloure said.

Conaway added, "It allows us to reach people in a different way."

This summer, it's been a challenge to bring the horses to the communities that need them the most. The minivan, which was donated to the group, broke down a few months ago.

"It limits our ability to reach these people who count on us to bring the minis to them, especially our seniors," said Conaway.

High and Mighty's vehicle of providing therapy and comfort on the go is on hold for now until they can find a better mode of transportation.

Barnwell has plans to bring some of their residents to visit the horses on site. You can learn more about High and Mighty and the therapeutic services they offer through their equine animals from their website.