Some of the kids don't understand the horses at first.

They scream, put up a fight, widthdraw.

But when they get near the stately animals, a magical transformation occurs - the autism falls away like an old dress.

As they make laps around a dusty field on former show horses, the kids raise their arms in the air, their faces stuck in that place somewhere in between giddiness and fear.

On the sides, their parents clap until their palms turn red.

It is one of the weekly classes for Healing Horses, a new Coachella Valley organization that offer thearpeutic riding to local autistic children at the Rancho Polo Club in Indio.  The program teaches English, Western and bareback riding to acomplish specific therapeutic goals.

Later this year the organization will be moving to a permanent location on the grounds of the Empire Polo Club, donated by Alex Haagen III.

The Healing Horses riding center was founded by Gabriele Lawrence of Cathedral City.  Her 8-year-old son, Tristan, used to attend a similar program in Santa Barbara before the family moved to the desert.

Tristan has autism, which is a brain development disorder.

Those with autism often lack the ability to verbalize their feelings and then out instead.  The disorder impares social interaction and communication skills, and can cause restricted and repetitive behaviour.

One in 150 children has autism, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  It is estimated that more than 1 million in the United States have the distorder.  It affects every child differently and can occur in conjunction with other disorders.

There are many theories as to the cause, which remains unknown  There is no cure.

Treatment typically involves behavior therapy that teaches life skills, like how to clean and dress themselves.  Medication can be prescribed to treat specific symptoms such as seizures, hyperactivity or mood changes.

Healing Horeses, though, is something completely different.

"This children don't understand they're getting huge benefits," Lawrence said.  "They just think it's fun."

Response in the valley has been substantial.

Since the program began on April 1, 27 families have signed on to participate.  The oldest participant is 21.  The youngest is 2.

It costs $20 per week for members of the Coachella Valley Autism Society to participate.

What they learn

For the children, the benefits of thearpeutic riding can be extraordinary.

Through riding, autistic children, who can often be withdrawn, learn to express themselves in a clear manner.  Their communication skills improve.

They gain strength and balance skills.  Therhythmic motion of riding also relaxes and focuses them.

The child's tactile senses are stimulated by fuzzy fur, coarse mane, soft tounge.

The riders learn responsibility by brushing their horse each week, putting the saddle away, feeding carrots to the animal.

"It's an exhilarating experience because the children are learning so much, " Morgan said.  "This really stretches them and us."

Horses are particularly good for this kind of therapy because they are simple to manage, only looking for clear commands, like "go," "stop" or "back up." It is easy for the children to develop relationships with them.

In Lawernce's case, her son has shown some increased ability physically and emotionally.

For instance, it used to be that when Tristan would run, he would through his whole body into it.  His limbs flailed weekly.  He had an awkward gait.

Since begining regular thearpeutic riding, Thistan has developed stronger muscles.  He sits up straighter.  And when he runs, he is more in control of his body.

Beyond that, his language skills have advanced.  He's learned left from right.

Riding is also a challenge that he meets each week with enthusiasm.

"He look forward to Saturday mornings in a way he never did before," Lawrence said.

Lawrence is positive that more children can benefit from the therapy.

She has made this her full-time work, writing grants, soliciting donations, spreading the word about the program.

"I just don't take 'no' for an answer," she said.  "It's too important."

At Lawrence's urging, her trainer at the gym became the organization's full-time exersize physiologist and riding teacher.

"I already loved riding and loved working with children," said Marcia Levine, the Healing Horses trainer.

Levine, who has since become part of the North American Riding for the Handicaped Association, develops the exercises the children do while riding.

She also donated the horses for the program.

"This changed my whole career and expanded my life, Levine said.

Speech language pathologist Judy Morgan donates her services to work with the children while they are atop the animals.

"We're working on all the skills the kids would be learning in a clinic setting, but the're more relaxed," she said.

"They learn so much this way."