Maysan horse-riding club opens courses to children with autism

MAYSAN — A horse-riding club on the outskirts of Amarah, Maysan, is working with a kindergarten to offer riding sessions for children with autism, with organizers saying they have observed changes in the behavior of some participants while stressing that the activity is not a substitute for specialized treatment.

Mohammed Ali established the club on his agricultural land before beginning a collaboration with Zahraa Ammar and her team at Al-Kawthar Kindergarten. Ali equipped the club with Arabian and crossbred horses, and the site developed into a recreational space for families and children.

Ali, the club’s founder, told 964media that “the project grew from his longtime interest in horses.” He started with two horses and gradually increased the number to six.

The club was initially established as a family recreational space for horse riding, Ali said, but children became its most frequent visitors, including children with autism spectrum disorder.

The club offers children with autism free 10-day courses during which they regularly ride and interact with horses. Ali said “organizers have observed improvement among some participants” and that some children have developed an attachment to the horses.

Zahraa Ammar, assistant director of Al-Kawthar Kindergarten, said horse riding was selected as part of the kindergarten’s summer program “as an educational and recreational activity” intended to build children’s confidence and take them outside a traditional study environment.

Ammar said the team became more interested in the activity after children with autism began participating. She said they observed behavioral changes in some children after they rode and interacted with the horses.

The kindergarten is coordinating with the club’s trainers to enroll children with autism in longer courses, allowing them to spend more time with the horses and increase their interaction with them, Ammar said.

According to Ammar, some children develop an attachment to the horses after repeated visits. She said the interaction may help calm children and improve engagement while also providing physical activity and recreation.

During sessions, trainers initially lead the horse while the child rides, then gradually increase the child’s level of interaction based on their ability.

Amir Ali, a child with autism who regularly visits the club, told 964media that he frequently comes to ride horses and run with them and wants to continue the activity.

“I love the horse very much. This horse is my friend,” Amir said, pointing to a dark-colored horse.

The club also receives families and children who are not enrolled in the courses. It includes a dirt area for horse riding as well as seating and rest areas among trees and green spaces.