There are strong similarities in the way horses and those with autism see the world. Horses are often born into an environment they don't understand, with overwhelming sights, sounds, and smells, and a sense that no one understands them. And when they see someone with autism, who has much the same background, and who knows them, and knows what they need - there is a connection. Since the two share the same experiences, they both relax, and seem to talk and understand each other.

Mom, why do I find myself trying to be nice to that awful girl Rachel, who has been nasty to me every time I've seen her?""Maybe you've spent so much time with horses you've picked up their habits. You know---like how they sense things in people....Keep following your instincts. You can't go wrong being kind to people, even if they are unkind people themselves.

Sadie had been taking lessons for over a year, and she still learned something each and every time she rode.

That's amazing," Dad said, still watching the two horses interact so comfortably after not seeing each other for so long. Chance stomped and squealed, and Thor bit his neck. "Ouch." "Oh, that's their way of getting to know each other again. Have to re-establish who's in charge." Sadie saw mom and dad exchange looks.

There's a very interesting dynamic with horses and couples. With couples, the horses react most dramatically. It is amazing how they pick up on underlying tension or other issues that couples themselves don't see.

First, no other animals have the same mirroring effect as horses, meaning they will mirror humans' emotions. Second, they are not judgmental or biased. And third, they live within a social structure, heir herds, much the same as we do.