Horse Show 2015 -- Mini Therapy Horses (post 2 of 5) -- updated 2017

Featured guests at this year's horse show included the miniature horses and team from Mini Therapy Horses http://www.minitherapyhorses.com/

(previously known as Gentle Carousel West)

From their website: 

Our teams of tiny highly-trained horses visit over 50,000 children and adults in need each year across the United States.

These horses helps people in crisis—from the survivors of the San Bernardino tragedy to the children staying at the Ronald McDonald Houses.

The horses make weekly visits to the patients at The Greater Los Angeles Veterans Hospital and Mini Therapy Horses provides their teams of miniature horses to the Los Angeles Mayor’s Crisis Response Team.

Their tent attracted a crowd all day at the show...

 Below is trainer-owner Victoria (far left) and her fellow volunteers with the horses....

They shared the story of the Therapy Horse program.. 

No.. they aren't ponies. They are true miniature horses.. with special training like therapy dogs to bring cheer and comfort to those in need.

Achieving the dream of many young equestrians... especially those whose first horses were Breyer models..the Gentle Carousel minis have been recognized by this beloved brand. Two mini horses have their own model versions for kids and collectors to enjoy. This is a special honor shared with race track legends, horse heroes of history, and champions of equine sports.

They got to visit the Breyer  factory.. tour the company's archive of models... and meet the artist who sculpted their models.(photo below from Gentle Carousel Facebook page). Breyer horses make great artist reference items. These collectibles are known for their accuracy and depict a wide variety of breeds. Breyer even has its own version of comic con --the annual "Breyerfest" http://www.breyerhorses.com/

For their day at the horse show, the mini therapy horse crew brought a keyboard

 Because the horses enjoy playing music...

The therapy horses worked their magic....

 charming all ages...

and making equine friends .....

 At 11:45, the team had their parade moment in the show ring...

 No jumping for them.. but we did see a "hi-ho, Silver" moment...

 After a quick photo op...

 they helped welcome an annual event at the horse show...

 The Stick Horse Class... open to all children 7 and under.

 The entry fee benefits Children's Hospital Los Angeles...

The racers get followed by the obligatory crowd of proud parents and family with the cameras and phones recording the victory lap.

 This year's racers got a bonus... extra time in the ring with the Gentle Carousel horses.

 Each Stick Horse class participant gets a lovely blue rosette ribbon..

and gets to keep their stick horse as a trophy.

This year's racers could get photos with a real life carousel horse!
Mini Therapy Horses is a non-profit 501(c) charity. Donations are welcome... more info on how to donate is on their website. http://www.minitherapyhorses.com/
They also have a Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/minitherapyhorses