VICKSBURG, Miss. ( WJTV ) – An equine-assisted therapy program in Vicksburg is bringing healing and hope. Leigh Ann Nosser is the founder and executive director of Rainbow Farms, located on Mattingly Road. It provides horseback riding lessons year-round to children and adults.

“My brother Rocky got me my first horse and the rest is history,” Nosser said.

Arwen Durst and her sister River have been taking horseback riding lessons for 11 years at Rainbow Farms.

“It’s amazing. I would literally sacrifice so much for this place,” said Arwen.

“I don’t know where I’d be in life if I hadn’t come here. This place is wonderful,” said River.

The connection with the horse is one of the main benefits.

Butch Mitchell, 87, said she didn’t ride horses until she was age 40. She takes lessons once a week with her horse Biff. “He makes me think,” said Mitchell.

Sharon Sharp sees the positive impacts equine therapy has on veterans and children with disabilities as well.

“They have the sense of what their human needs,” said Sharp, an occupational therapist at Rainbow Farms.

“We’re at the point where it’s not so much about therapy,” said Erica Durst, River and Arwen’s mother. “It’s about, let’s see how far we can take these skills. Right now, they’re going out to competitions, to showmanship and they’re competing.”

“That is 11 years, the best years of my life,” River said, referring to how long she’s been taking horseback riding lessons at Rainbow Farms.

There is a fee to participate. Volunteers are also needed. You can give them a call at (601) 638- 8372.

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