Emy Holzwarth, 6, balances herself while riding a horse at Elliott Acres Therapeutic Riding Center in Chicora on Feb. 15, 2013. Butler Eagle File Photo

Molly and other horses at Elliott Acres Therapeutic Riding Center provided therapeutic riding sessions to children and adults with a wide range of physical, mental and emotional conditions, including autism, multiple sclerosis and developmental delays.

Once in the saddle, each rider is accompanied by two side walkers and third person who leads the horse. The center hosted 111 riders in 2012, when most of the center’s clients were referred to the center by word-of-mouth.

“It’s been therapeutic. It’s good for grief. It’s a good way to get through a bad situation,” said Deb Elliott, who founded the center in 2003. “The horses are always there for you.”