FREE REIN TO ROAM : HORSE-RIDING PROGRAM BUILDS UP DISABLED KIDS' CONFIDENCE, STRENGTH.

Byline: Darren Simon Imperial Valley Press

With broad smiles, Deandra Goff and Brandi Cox sat tall in their saddles and slowly guided their horses around the arena at the El Centro Equestrian Center.

Deandra, the more experienced rider, commanded her horse without help. Brandi just started to learn and needed assistance, but her laughter indicated she was having a great time.

Deandra, 6, of El Centro and Brandi, 11, of Imperial are not your ordinary young horseback riders. Both girls have a disability and both take part in a program aimed at building their strength and confidence.

``I like riding the horse,'' said Deandra, who has cerebral palsy that affects her motor skills and makes walking difficult. ``I get to trot and I like to clean the horse.''

Brandi, who usually uses a motorized wheelchair, said, ``This is fun. I like riding the horse. It moves fast and I like that. Riding the horse stretches me.''

The program, called Animal's Plus and operated at the equestrian center, is just one of many in the valley aimed at educating and building confidence and strength among those with disabilities, particularly young people.

That is the message Glenn Sarot, executive director of the Special Education Local Plan Area in the Imperial Valley, hopes to get across.

SELPA is a state-mandated agency that is supposed to ensure special education needs are met in local school districts. It is the umbrella agency from which nearly all special education services are provided for grades K-12.

There are 115 SELPA agencies throughout the state.

``It is an advocate for children with disabilities and their families and assures appropriate programs and services are being provided,'' Sarot said.

More than 9 percent of students in K-12 education programs in the valley have been identified as special education students. That means more than 3,000 of some 31,000 K-12 students in the area require special education services.

Sarot said SELPA, which has an office in El Centro, is prepared to help parents from the time their children are born until they are 22. SELPA also provides parental education and training.

Back at the El Centro Equestrian Center, Brandi and Deandra finished their session on the horses.

Animals Plus, created by Brent and Marsha Boutwell of El Centro in 1991, brings young people with disabilities together with horses to develop not only their confidence, but strength in their legs and torsos.

SELPA and the Boutwells are developing another program that will give high-risk young people on probation the opportunity to work with horses at the equestrian center.

The goal is to use horses in a therapeutic medium for high-risk and special-needs students by promoting social, emotional, physical and mental well-being.

``Working with the horses can show a way to nurture, a way to start parenting,'' Marsha Boutwell said. ``They will have to deal with life issues when working with the horses.''

Brandi and Deandra said they love riding the horses.

``This is to help me get better,'' said Brandi, exhausted but still smiling after her ride. ``I want to come back and ride next week.''

CAPTION(S):

2 Photos

Photo: (1) Brandi Cox, 11, of Imperial, Calif., is lifted onto a horse by Brent Boutwell, owner of Animals Plus, at the El Centro Equestrian Center.

(2) Deandra Goff, 6, of El Centro, Calif., brushes the horse she will ride.

Associated Press