LEXINGTON, Ky. — For the last 43 years, Central Kentucky Riding for Hope has helped people with special needs by facilitating therapy through activities with horses.

There are almost 30 horses on its property in the Kentucky Horse Park.

“The mission that we have here is to provide equine assistant activities and therapies to individuals with disabilities,” said Pat Kline, Central Kentucky Riding for Hope’s executive director.

It has several programs to help accomplish this mission, such as a veterans program, a partnership with Fayette County Public Schools and mental health services.

Kline said both children and adults look forward to their therapy sessions.

“For little kids, their parents will tell you this is the therapy they can’t wait to get to, this is the therapy they get upset when they miss, because they are missing their horse,” Kline said.

Abigail Estrada-Vasquez, 7, has been going to Central Kentucky Riding for Hope for more than a year and her mother said she has seen a lot of progress. Abigail has a phonological disorder, but her mother said she has a great memory and can recall lines from her favorite movies.

Part of her therapy involves narrating those movies while sitting on a horse to work on pronunciation.

“The horse is a wonderful therapy,” said Yessie Vasquez, Abigail’s mother. “I mean, that has improved so much. This program has ... done so much for her, that we’re just very thankful to be here.”

The nonprofit has many volunteers who complete several tasks, such as exercising the horses and grooming them. More information on how to volunteer or donate can be found on its website.