Equine Therapy: A Healing Bond Between Humans and Horses

Have you or someone close to you ever dreamed of owning a horse? Picture frequent rides into the sunset, the bonding and the sheer joy of petting, grooming and loving unconditionally.

Horses have a remarkable connection with humans, and those fortunate enough to experience it can attest to the profound benefits. Horse lovers around the world agree spending quality time with a horse brings unmatched rewards.

However, the emotional and physical demands of caring for a horse, along with the high costs of ownership and maintenance, often prevent many from pursuing this dream.

But what if those barriers could disappear? What if you could live your dream without the hefty price tag or the daily time commitment for feeding, grooming, and riding? What if you really could have your cake and eat it too?

In an interview with Susu Sanders, founder of Kidz Up, an equine therapy center in La Paz, we explored an innovative solution. Susu has been successfully leasing her therapy horses to like-minded horse lovers who are unable to take on full-time responsibility. This approach helps cover operational costs for the therapy center while giving individuals the joy of riding and connecting with a horse and supporting a meaningful cause.

Founded in 2015, Kidz Up serves the local community by providing equine therapies, and interventions that involve horse interactions to support physical, occupational, and emotional development. These therapies benefit children facing various challenges, both at Kidz Up’s Ranch and at Centers for Multiple Attention (CAM), schools offering services for students with disabilities and special needs.

Susu’s passion for equine therapy began during her time at El Camino Ranch in La Paz. But it was the transformative impact on her son, Arthur, now 14 and diagnosed with cerebral palsy as a baby, that truly won her heart. She recalls placing two-year-old Arthur on a horse and watching him sit upright for the first time in his life. Since then, Arthur has defied medical expectations, progressing from being told he would never walk to confidently leading his own horse along the trails.

Arthur isn’t the only child to benefit from this powerful therapy. Over the years, Kidz Up has seen many children improve in confidence, communication, and physical ability. Equine therapy cultivates self-awareness and emotional growth, helping participants become strong self-advocates and thrive in every area of life.

When asked about the challenges of running the organization, Susu shared some of the personal and practical difficulties, such as the emotional loss of a beloved horse, Pepinillo, and the demanding process of sourcing and training horses suitable for therapy. But the greatest challenge, she said, lies in the program’s daily physical, emotional, and financial needs.

Susu and Arthur dedicate around three hours each morning and one hour each afternoon to horse care. “It costs an average of 2,500 pesos per horse per month for vet care, food, grooming, and general upkeep,” Susu explains. “Water costs 600 pesos monthly if we’re lucky enough to get it, and 6,000 pesos for a private PIPA delivery.” These figures don’t even include transport costs and other overheads associated with their CAM outreach.

To sustain this mission, Susu launched a leasing program. A half-lease costs 2,500 pesos per month and includes up to three rides per week, outside of therapy hours. Kidz Up handles all boarding, farrier services, veterinary care, deworming, and vaccinations, so you can enjoy your rides stress-free. This program provides vital funding to keep therapies accessible and running, while also employing teens with disabilities to help care for the horses. A win-win for everyone!

To learn more about leasing a horse or volunteering, contact Susu via WhatsApp at +52 612 149 1832. And if leasing isn’t feasible, Kidz Up gratefully welcomes donations of any amount.