RIDE OF A LIFETIME KIDS SADDLE UP FOR THERAPY.

Byline: Kathleen Sweeney Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - Samantha Moffat climbed down from the horse about three years ago after taking her first ride, and to her parents' amazement, took her first steps.

She was 2 1/2. Her parents weren't sure if she would walk because of a premature birth, causing a mild case of cerebral palsy. But with the aid of equestrian therapy, which helps children overcome physical, emotional and mental challenges with horseback riding, she's walking, talking and riding with a smile across her face.

``I trot,'' Samantha said Thursday as she showed off her moves. ``I do standing up.''

Some of her success comes from therapy offered at the Carousel Ranch in Newhall, a nonprofit organization that helps children afflicted with these challenges build motor skills and self esteem.

Its dedication to helping the youngsters has earned the ranch this year's Charitable Organization Award and $10,000 donation from the Valencia Industrial Association. It will be presented with the honor at the organization's Business World Bash 2001 in September.

``It was very exciting to us,'' said Denise Tomey, the ranch's executive director. ``The proceeds will go toward helping us take more children off the waiting list and expanding our program.''

In 1997, Tomey and Becky Graham began providing equestrian therapy to one child in the back yard of a private home. Since then, the program moved to the Newhall ranch and has grown to serve 60 children while almost another 60 wait.

The benefits of equestrian therapy were recognized shortly after World War I and have been continuously refined and developed to provide increased stimulus to the neurological centers of the body, which produces regenerative results, Tomey said. The motion of riding moves the pelvic area in a way that is similar to walking, and helps children develop movement in different muscles.

``We see kids doing things every day that they aren't supposed to be able to do,'' she said.

Ed Masterson, the subcommittee chairman for the Business World Bash event, said the nonprofit program deserved the award because of its contributions to the community and its fund-raising activities.

``I was very impressed by the people who run it,'' Masterson said. ``You can feel the level of energy and passion they have for what they are doing there. It's very infectious. It's inspiring.''

Brynn Flaherty has always dreamed that her family would ride horses together, but those dreams crumbled two years ago when she discovered her son, Dalton, 6, was autistic.

That was until a year ago when Dalton started the equestrian therapy, slouching, his head hanging, Flaherty said. On Thursday, Dalton sat atop the horse, with the reins in this hands and his head held high.

It's not only helped develop his motor and speech skills, but has given him confidence and pride.

``He has just done fabulous,'' Flaherty said. ``I never thought he would be able to ride by himself.''

Those accomplishments come from various therapy treatments, including vaulting - gymnastics on horseback - and traditional saddle riding.

Vaulting, which 85 percent of the children experience, forces the children to sit sideways, backward, and to stand on top of the horse's back as it trots, Tomey said. The therapy helps builds a variety of muscle groups. For autistic children, vaulting helps them focus and concentrate.

Samantha's been using vaulting therapy for three years. It's helped her walking, talking and even her ability to eat.

``This program has contributed a great deal to her development,'' her father, Don Moffat, said.

CAPTION(S):

3 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Samantha Moffat, 6, of Encino stands on top of her horse as she goes through a vaulting therapy lesson Thursday.

(2) Five-year-old Ashley Arnold of Valencia feeds a carrot to a horse following her therapy lesson at the ranch.

(3) Volunteer Marjorie Moon, left, and program director Becky Graham work with Alexa Arnold, 3, of Valencia during a basic vaulting lesson at Carousel Ranch in Newhall on Thursday morning.

Shaun Dyer/Special to the Daily News