"A lot of these kids — you get them up there, you don't know the difference," Vennen said. One girl with a spinal injury has no control of one leg, yet when "she sits on a horse, you wouldn't know there was anything wrong with her."

Across from Bellows Air Force Station at Waimanalo Polo Field, the program shares space with dozens of horses stabled next to the open field shaded by ironwood trees. Three horses, two ponies and a donkey are used to improve physical and mental abilities.

Amid people grooming horses, a hen with five chicks insisted on being in the middle of the action and got upset when anyone came near her. In the distance, the blue-green mountains of the Ko'olau Range overlooked the pastoral setting.

Mika Etheridge, 13, has waited for three years for her lessons to begin. She had to heal from three surgeries to straighten her spine, which was shaped like an "S" because of scoliosis.

Dressed in shorts, to feel the horse better, Mika brushed the pony Soona before helping place a saddle pad on his back. She elected to go without a saddle, saying it would be easier to control the animal. But once in the arena, the pony proved more difficult to control than expected.

Still she was able to run through a series of commands: turning, figure eights and trotting.

Mika said that after 2 1/2 months, she can sense a difference in her body.

"I can ride longer and I can swim better," she said. "When I'm in the pool, I'm able to float."

Her mom, Kumi Etheridge, said the change has been amazing, including increased stamina, better balance when walking, and confidence from being able to handle a horse.

"She's happier," Etheridge said. "It's something she looks forward to every week."

Now Vennen is offering free horse-handling, care and grooming lessons from 4 to 5 p.m. on Saturdays at the Makapu'u end of the Waimanalo Polo Field. This does not include riding horses.

The lessons are a way to give back to the community that has supported the organization for two decades, said Vennen, who has run the operation for the past three years. Grateful to the polo field operators who provide space at minimal cost and the community at large, Vennen said it was time to reciprocate.

"Why shouldn't we give something back?" she asked. "We have these amazing horses. We got this great facility. We're community-driven."

There may be added bonus — increasing equestrian interest, training potential pa'u riders and adding to the organization's volunteer list. Vennen said she is always looking for volunteer helpers but has turned away people who had no training. Now she can train people and know they understand how to handle a horse.

Vennen, the only salaried employee, and two other volunteer instructors work with more than 40 clients a week whose ages range from 2 to 60-plus. Their mission is to improve the lives of people with disabilities, by letting horses strengthen students' bodies and lift their spirits. Lessons are available to the public.

Sue Szanyi, 35, and a certified instructor and registered nurse, said all that she's done in her life has led to this type of work where small miracles happen everyday.

"I absolutely love watching what the horses do for these kids," Szanyi said.