Carousel Ranch is a non-profit therapeutic horseback-riding ranch situated in Canyon Country, California. Therapeutic horseback riding is used to improve coordination, muscle strength, joint mobility, perceptual skills and self-confidence. It incorporates traditional horseback riding skills along with physical therapy to achieve these goals. The service caters to disabled and underprivileged children. Many of the children who benefit by attending are young riders with cerebral palsy, mental retardation, autism and learning disorders. Parents notice immediate improvements in their children’s behavior and mentality through continued therapy at Carousel Ranch.

One of the riders, 14-year-old Dana Sachs, was born without arms and only one full-length leg. Normally confined to a wheelchair, Dana has found a sense of freedom and accomplishment riding horseback. Dana is fully capable of controlling the horse with the help of a special harness that straps her to the saddle and allows her to use her leg to control the reigns.

In a letter she wrote to Carousel Ranch Dana Sachs said, “Riding horses is not only fun, it helps build my confidence and has helped pick me up when I am down. I think I was born to ride because nothing beats the feeling of getting out of my chair, being high up in the horse, having the wind in my face, walking on trails and being where I could never go in my chair. … I face many battles and barriers, I have my limitations, but let me use my mind, my imagination, my abilities, and let’s see what I can do.”