I've ridden (western) on and off all my life. A year and a half ago, after my parents died, I felt so bad, I bought a horse (large pony,actually 14.1 hands). Its frightfully expensive, but owning a horse and having that responsibility has really helped me. I haven't been able to ride for three months. Up in Putnam Valley where he's boarded, there's been three feet of snow on the ground since December. We finally got rid of the snow and now we have three feet of mud. I'm hoping to start riding within a few days, however, Things are finally improving. Even when I cannot ride, I visit him and brush him and take him for a walk and it really makes me feel better. I've heard a lot about the special bond bvetween horses and autistic people. there is a whole branch of thearpy called "hippotherapy" where horsebackriding is used to help autistic children and other disabled children build muscle tone, self-confidence, etc.