INDEPENDENCE, Ky. — Riders got in the saddle on Saturday to show off some skill sets they’ve learned while at Milestones. The center was putting on a horse show and had vendors set up to help fundraise for their efforts in teaching people the basics on grooming and riding.

Milestones is a nonprofit looking to help people with disabilities and of all ages cognitively, emotionally, physically and socially through therapeutic horse riding.

“They’ve shown me how to brush them and take care of them,” eight-year-old Julia Siemer said.

She rides with Milestones. She’s someone who loves horses and thought it would be her thing to do.

Assistant director Rachel Breeden said this program gets these people up and moving.

“Some of our riders don’t get out of the house very often and when they come here, they’re going to use all the muscles that they don’t generally use on a regular basis which helps with their diagnosis and overcoming their diagnosis but helps them do it in a way that is super fun where they don’t realize they’re working that hard,” she said.

It’s a bonding experience they also have with the horses. Breeden said horses can mirror someone’s energy.

“When you come in and you’re having a bad day, they’re going to snuggle and love up on you,” she said. “When you come in and you’re hype and energy-driven, they’re going to experience that with you so it’s really easy to create a bond with your horse because they’re going to mirror what you’re feeling while you’re here.”

More information on Milestones can be found here.