By Brett Fisher
-
Photo by Lisa Fisher. Moses, a 16-year-old Clydesdale, feeds on carrots Saturday -
Photo by Lisa Fisher. Flash, a miniature horse, with one of his many admirers. -
Photo by Lisa Fisher. Moses the Clydesdale is 18 hands high at the shoulder and weighs 2,000 pounds. -
Photo by Lisa Fisher. Flash, a miniature horse, and a visitor. -
Photo by Brett Fisher. Flash, the miniature horse, greets visitors Saturday at CAL-Ranch in Carson City. -
Photo by Brett Fisher. Prizes displayed during the STEP Fundraiser Saturday at CAL-Ranch in Carson City. -
Photo by Brett Fisher. Moses, a Clydesdale, shows off his impressive profile for guests Saturday. -
Photo by Brett Fisher. Moses with his tongue out as he finishes the last of a tasty treat.
Moses and Flash enjoyed the attention of visitors Saturday at the STEP, Inc. Fundraiser held at the CAL-Ranch Store located at the corner of N. Carson Street and Old Hot Springs Road.
Flash, a miniature horse, attracted many little ones fascinated by his child-friendly size.
Moses, a 16-year-old Clydesdale that is 2,000 pounds and 18 hands high, consumed carrots fed to him by visitors, many of whom were children enamored by the horse’s size.
But his owner said Moses is a very sociable horse and likes people. The more people he has around him, the happier he is, said his owner.
That disposition, the owner said, makes him an ideal fit for STEP, Inc., a therapeutic equestrian program for individuals with physical, mental, emotional or educational special needs — both disabled and able-bodied — ages 3 to 103.
Therapeutic equestrian riding is a treatment modality noted to improve balance, coordination, posture and joint mobility because equestrian riding moves the human body in a similar manner to walking, the STEP web site said.
Among specific disabilities treated by equestrian therapy include brain injuries, multiple sclerosis, hearing and visual impairments, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, learning disabilities, and cardiovascular disease, the STEP web site states.
The modality also helps students improve motor skills, self-esteem, concentration and problem-solving abilities, the web site states.
Saturday’s fundraiser benefited local military veterans and clients from the Boys and Girls Club of Western Nevada to help them receive therapeutic riding sessions.
