Horse-Powered Reading

Reading is an almost magical process in which deciphering lines and squiggles reveals a rich world of narrative and meaning. For children who have difficulty with reading, however, the doors to that world are largely closed. Addressing struggles with literacy typically conjures images of tutors and flashcards, but at Rise Canyon Ranch—an equine-assisted therapy facility in Southern California—it looks a little different.

Here, in the middle of an arena dappled dusty gold by the California sun, a child quietly ponders a book. A horse wanders over and inquisitively noses the pages. The girl reads to her captive audience. Even when she stumbles over