Horses Helped Bennett Find His Voice | Bakersfield News

When Bennett Houchin was diagnosed as non-verbal autistic, his parents tried countless treatments—until they found MARE, a nonprofit equine therapy center. After seven years of riding, the now-12-year-old is talking fluently and even rides with his brother. His mom calls finding the right support “like finding the best doctor”—it took early enrollment, a whole village, and relentless family dedication. At MARE, horses like Reyna and Smoothie helped Bennett build confidence, focus, and emotional regulation. His trainer, Misty Mosard, used his love of cars and trains to spark communication, turning simple commands like “walk on” into powerful speech triggers. She also noted how horses mirror a rider’s energy—teaching Bennett to stay calm, which in turn builds trust and connection. This therapy isn’t just about speech—it’s about healing, patience, and the magic of human-animal bonds. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/46b57a9d8cfd89aa