12 SIDELINES DECEMBER 2012
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
of therapy sessions with his young riders -- he typically has about
15 rides a week -- but whenever he has free time the instructors
at Little Bit “snap him up because he is such a joy to work with.”
Although a dashing villain in a black mask may come to mind
at the mention of the name Zorro, Lindsey reports that Little Bit’s
Zorro possesses cunning of a different kind. “Zorro is a carrot
fend!” said Lindsey. “Of course, any treat is always appreciated,
but Zorro seems to have a special talent for sniffng out carrots
and giving puppy dog eyes to get extra ones!”
Like many other therapeutic riding programs, Little Bit’s efforts
are almost entirely based on volunteer support - even Zorro’s
carrots are donations! If you would like more information about
Little Bit’s services, volunteer and donation opportunities or
events, check out their website at www.littlebit.org.
Do you know of a horse with an interesting career that deserves a
place as a Sidelines Sidekick? Email us at editor@sidelinesnews.
com for a chance to have your equine companion featured here.
About the writer: Sidelines staff writer Abby Westmark grew up in Wellington,
Florida where she rode and competed everything from ponies to jumpers. She now
lives in Boston, Massachusetts and is earning a culinary degree from Le Cordon
Bleu.
By Abby Westmark
Winston Churchill famously said, “There is something about the
outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.” At Little
Bit Therapeutic Riding center just outside Seattle, Washington,
they’re doing their best to prove just that. Little Bit works with
disabled children and adults, helping them improve motor skills,
balance, self-esteem and social skills.
Although Little Bit has many horses that help out in their therapy
program, there is one in particular that stands out -- a nine-year-
old Norwegian Fjord by the name of Zorro. Many of Little Bit’s
horses are donated or borrowed, but not Zorro -- the program
purchased Zorro at the age of four.
“Horses that young aren’t typically ready to become a four-
legged-therapist, but Zorro was special,” said Lindsey Peterson,
Little Bit’s Community Relations Assistant. “We have since gone
back to his breeder for another Fjord, his half-sister Zoey.”
“Zorro is one of the sweetest, most patient, and most reliable
horses in our barn,” Lindsey said. “He is also our frst pick for
demonstrations, training and instructor certifcations. He’s
basically a teddy bear in horse form!” Zorro’s schedule is often full
e
Celebrating A Different Kind of Horsepower
The Legend of Zorro
Zorro at work with Little Bit
volunteer Don Sorensen,
left, and Physical Therapist
Deb Peet-Walker.
Photo courtesy of Little Bit
Therapeutic Riding Center