Continued: Wanted: Wide, open spaces in the east metro

When she first started her therapeutic horse riding program, Joan Berg had only one child in mind -- a disabled, little girl she met once at a swimming pool who dreamed of riding a horse.

Eight years later, Berg is thinking of the 100 children and adults with disabilities who are on her program's waiting list.

"When you see something that works, that gets a child to talk more or use their arms and legs more, it's a definite tool," said Berg, executive director of the River Valley Riders therapeutic horse riding program. A nonprofit organization run by volunteers, it is the largest one of its kind in the east metro area.

Now, in an effort to serve more riders, the group is looking for a permanent home. Organizers are looking to buy a large tract of land and build an indoor arena on it.

Currently, the program operates out of three locations: Berg's home in East Farmington, Wis., the Washington County Fairgrounds in Baytown Township and the Rick-A-Shay Ranch in Scandia.

With a permanent spot, Berg said, she could offer therapeutic riding sessions year-round. The program now runs from April through October, contributing to the long waiting list.

River Valley Riders has raised about $170,000 through private donations and grants toward the estimated $500,000 cost for purchasing about 40 acres of land somewhere in central Washington County.

Berg said the cost to build an indoor arena is about $1 million, and organizers plan to start a capital campaign after they purchase the land.

Using horses to better the physical and emotional lives of people with disabilities is not a new concept. According to the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA), the therapeutic value of horseback riding is centuries old.

The River Valley Riders program, one of about a dozen therapeutic riding programs in Minnesota, is a NARHA member center. Most people in the River Valley Riders program have developmental delay, autism and physical disabilities.

"The gait of a horse is similar to a human's walk so it helps with balance and stability," explained Berg, who teaches adapted physical education to children. "The warmth of the horse's body relaxes and loosens the rider's muscles."

Through riding, the children and adults in the River Valley Riders program also work on developing social and verbal skills as needed.

At the Rick-A-Shay Ranch in Scandia one night, two boys straddled their horses and prepared to play the "pumpkin pass" game.

Shane was at one end of the arena. Will was at the opposite end. They both faced each other.

"Will, are you ready?" Shane Kargel, 7, called out to his partner.

Will Daily, who is 17 and non-verbal, raised his hand to signal that yes, he was ready.

Shane's horse, flanked by three volunteers, then walked slowly toward Will. The two boys were now sitting side-by-side, atop their horses.

Shane handed Will a small pumpkin.

"Way to go, Will," cheered Sally Reif DelGiudice, the instructor, as she clapped her hands.

Will and Shane's mothers watched closely from the sidelines. They cheered too.

After the session, Shane and Will slid off their horses and sprinted toward their mothers. Will fed his horse an apple. The horse, named Rahji, eagerly gobbled it up, delighting Will.

His mother, Theresa Daily, says he just loves the riding lessons. He's been doing it since he was a small child, she said.

"He doesn't have a lot of activities he can do so this is all his," she said.

Both Will and Shane are autistic.

Shane's mother, Colleen Kargel, said it's fun for her son to talk about riding with other kids. "They get to do an activity that other kids think is cool," she said. "It's good for their self-confidence. What kid isn't fascinated by horseback riding?"

As for Berg, the search continues for a permanent home for the organization inspired by a child's wish to ride a horse.

Over the years, she said, she's discovered how therapeutic the riding sessions are for everyone involved.

"I've realized how much the horses get out of it, the volunteers and, of course, the riders," she said.

Allie Shah • 651-298-1550.