Children Discover Their Potential Thanks to Horseback-riding Nonprofit

“It’s a snake!” a young boy from ClearWater Academy shouts, both curious and afraid of the animal.

An older gentleman trots over with a smile across his tanned face. “You want to get a picture with it?” he asks while calmly picking up the nearly two-foot-long snake. The rest of the students rush up to touch the scales and jockey for a position close to the animal for a photo. One teacher laughs in happy disbelief as a usually introverted, quiet boy bravely steps up to pet the serpent.

This is one of many moments of unexpected joy and learning that take place every day at Coweta Organization for Riding, Rehabilitation and Learning (CORRAL), a ranch and horse-riding therapy program in Newnan for children with special needs. Co-founder Brown Powell, Mr. Brown as he is fondly called by the children, lends a hand in catch-and-release fishing exploits along the lake and shares his forestry knowledge on walks through the trees lining the ranch. As a riding lesson is called to start, Marie Powell, CORRAL executive director, easily climbs over the fencing and steadies the saddle of a young man still working on improving his balance.

This generous couple founded CORRAL back in 1987 after a ranch offering a similar program in North Georgia shut down. Brown volunteered at that ranch until they closed, and, spurred on by his experiences, he was determined to transform their property to fill the gap in horse riding therapy services. From the onset, the Powells bucked the idea of fees so each child would be afforded the opportunity of this outdoor adventure free of charge.

Classes are now comprised of students with a wide range of mental and physical challenges. Each of the one hundred plus riders is personally matched with one of CORRAL’s ten therapy horses. Given the responsibility of bringing their own helmet and tasked with learning the multitude of physical and mental skills necessary to control a horse, kids thrive with a new sense of freedom and independence they may not experience anywhere else in their lives.

As the kids take the reins and lead the horses in different patterns around the colorful cones, they are developing body-awareness including improved posture and hand-eye coordination, self-confidence, and mental focus. Outside in the sun and away from their phones and computer screens, riders build additional skills in problem solving, both verbal and nonverbal communication, and healthy habits.

A $5,000 annual grant from Clothes Less Traveled Thrift Shop has gone towards looking after the needs of the horses and upkeep of the operations at CORRAL.

Brown and Marie work with their volunteers to provide and promote equine-assisted learning for physically and mentally challenged individuals in this safe and loving Christian environment. Each child gains a sense of freedom and achievement while enjoying the outdoors.

CLT proudly supports the Powell’s efforts to gift children with learning differences in our local community with this incredible bonding experience between man and animal.

Visit their website to learn more about CORRAL. 

If you lead a nonprofit in Fayette or Coweta County, you can find information on qualifying for a CLT grant on our eligibility page.