hours with a group of good friends and volunteers at a local charity.

The Windreach Recreational Facility in Warwick teaches scores of children how to ride horses at its sprawling facility.

Manager Moira Benbow said the relationship with the schools is a beneficial one for the students because they grow as people each time they interact with the special ponies.

On Tuesdays, Victor Scott School's special needs students get to ride Windreach's three horses, which are sometimes supplemented by others, like Harriet Richold's for the day.

"It's a therapy for the students,'' Mrs. Benbow said. "We have special needs children here every day of all kinds. Some have physical or mental challenges but it is all of benefit to them.'' She added: "They exercise them, are a friend to them, give them self confidence, and a sense of achievement. Yes, it makes a difference.'' Windreach, like many charities in Bermuda, needs volunteers, who in groups of two or three assist the horses' handlers while the child rides.

"We always need volunteers,'' Mrs. Benbow said. "It's hard to find people who are not working. They don't need to have horse knowledge but if they like working with kids, it is an asset.''