The contestants, aged 8 to 72, suffer from impeded sight or hearing, Down syndrome and even paralysis.

Doctors believe that horse riding helps to improve memory and coordination, but for the jockeys, each with some kind of mental or physical disability, horse riding is not only a sport, but also an important part of social integration. Known as hippotherapy, it can really work miracles, presenting to the patients a range of psychological and mental benefits.

Tanya’s condition has significantly changed for the better since she started horse riding at the center.

“Tanya suffered from encephalitis in childhood, so she can’t walk well and couldn’t really speak, but after 5 years of hippotherapy she learned to speak better,” Natalya Stolyatskaya, Tanya’s mother, told RT. “She is communicating with people more and doesn’t fear them any more. At the center, children meet many good and positive people who give them so much warmth.”

Founded by Pavel Gurovich in 1999, the center aims to reach those whom society often neglects.

“This spot helps to bring together disabled people and integrate them into society. The community treats them as healthy people, showing much tolerance,” said Marina Asfandiyarova, a therapeutic horseback riding instructor. “What’s more, they develop a great faith in their own abilities, especially the ability to have a normal, full-fledged life.”