A Mid-Missouri therapeutic horseback riding school for handicapped children is getting some help from the St. Louis Cardinals.
Before Wednesday night's game, Cardinal officials presented a donation of $2,300 for equipment to be used at Healing Horses in Linn.
School officials said therapeutic riding combines the use of a horse with various activities that may appear to be games, but actually improves balance, coordination and strength.
In a 30-minute riding session (most last an hour), the horse facilitates more than 3,000 muscle impulses for the rider, something they cannot get anywhere else.
The horse physically facilitates exercise, improves circulation, flexibility, balance and muscle tone.
Emotional benefits that can be gained from the therapy include increased self-esteem, increased self confidence, better concentration, patience, reasoning skills, memory, listening skills and coping skills, school officials said.