Article updated: 9/21/2012 2:28 PM

Moving Picture: When horses are therapeutic

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HorsePower Therapeutic Riding director Carrie Capes holds student Trevin Kuhl, 4, of Sycamore, as he feeds a treat to his therapy horse, Ronan.

Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer

Carrie Capes works on counting with Trevin Kuhl, 4, of Sycamore using a game during therapy.

Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer

Carrie Capes encourages David Scott, 8, of DeKalb to say the phrase "Walk on" to get his therapy horse, Finale, started for their session at HorsePower Therapeutic Riding in Maple Park. Volunteers Petra Nebergall of Geneva and John Best of Sycamore assist in the session.

Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer

Carrie Capes of Maple Park was motivated to start HorsePower Therapeutic Riding after her son, Max, 12, starting therapeutic riding four years ago. Max has cognitive impairment, is hearing-impaired, has fine and gross motor skill delays, and is unable to speak.

Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer

Carrie Capes helps student Trevin Kuhl, 4, of Sycamore walk back to a platform after dismounting his therapy horse, Ronan. The last activity of every session involves the student making a treat for their horse. The program is located at Fox Chase Farms in Maple Park.

Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer

Trevin Kuhl, 4, of Sycamore, couldn't be happier during a game atop his therapy horse, Ronan, at HorsePower Therapeutic Riding in Maple Park.

Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer

About this Article

Carrie Capes of Maple Park discovered that therapeutic horse riding had huge benefits for her son, Max, so she started HorsePower Therapeutic Riding at Fox Chase Farms in Maple Park to offer the same benefits to other individuals with special needs. "There's something magical to that horse and child partnership," she said, "they'll overcome challenges that are quite remarkable because they're partnering with their horse."