For many children with disabilities, riding high on a horse offers a rare feeling of power and control, as well as helping to strengthen core muscles. Equine therapy, which is becoming a common treatment option in the U.S., is an unheard of luxury for most disabled children in Nicaragua. That’s why La Mariposa Spanish School and Eco-Hotel, in La Concepción, Nicaragua, created a program to rescue neglected horses and provide this powerful therapy for local children with Down’s Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy and other disabilities.

La Mariposa, which supports a number of social welfare projects, receives the horses as bedraggled rescue animals and nurses them back to health. Students and visitors at La Mariposa have the chance to volunteer at the project, helping the children ride the rehabilitated horses.

* Get involved: The equine therapy project operates on a small budget and is in need of safety equipment, especially riding helmets. If you have used riding, or bicycle helmets, in child or adult sizes, please contact us. PeaceWorks hopes to include helmets and other therapeutic supplies in our October shipment to Nicaragua. See the full list of items requested by La Mariposa for their therapy and educational projects below. Contact us if you have donations, or bring them along to our shipment packing day on October 10th.

*Find out more about La Mariposa Spanish School and Eco-Hotel here.