First day of fall session at Central Kentucky Riding for Hope

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — With 28 horses and a group of PATH-certified trainers, Central Kentucky Riding for Hope provides therapy services to children and adults with special physical, cognitive, emotional and social needs.

“When you get up to the premier accreditation you’re agreeing to uphold hundreds of standards,” Executive Director Pat Kline said.

Equine Manager, Ellie Toothaker says they’re breaking the socioeconomic barriers associated with the horse industry.

“Those that would not normally be able to afford a riding lesson, or a therapeutic riding lesson, we’ve made it possible for them,” Toothaker said.

CKRH partners with several different organizations that help veterans, people with special needs, those who are incarcerated, and even Fayette County Public Schools.

The Stables is a Fayette County public school,” program director Kevin Faris said. “We serve students eighth grade through twelfth grade, and we have a great partnership here with CKRH.”

Staff members say they love seeing people heal by spending time with the horses

A child who said a sentence, nonverbal, said a sentence that said, ‘I love Annie’ and said it clear as day,” Kline said. “Just didn’t ever speak before, and Annie was his horse.”

For 41 years, Kline says she’s loved seeing the positive change being made on their hideaway property at the Kentucky Horse Park

“It’s the kind of job you know you’re making people happy and doing them some good and that makes me happy,” she said.