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  Magic named by TIME /CNN one of History's Ten Most Heroic Animals

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Gentle Carousel Awards and Good News

   AARP's Most Heroic Pet In America

Gentle Carousel in Magazines

On Television, Film and Radio

Gentle Carousel in Newspapers

  Meet Our Therapy Horse Team

Horse Costumes

  Movie Star Benji Teams Up With Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses

  Gentle Carousel and Martha Stewart    

               A Visit From National Geographic

Prancing With The Stars

Magic on NEWSWEEK/DAILY BEAST  Ten Most Heroic Animals

READING IS MAGIC at Schools

READING IS MAGIC Horses

READING IS MAGIC at Libraries

READING IS MAGIC Authors

  READING IS MAGIC Bringing Books To Life at Literacy Festivals

  Smallest Horses In The World

Becoming a Therapy Horse

Home Sweet Home

  Magic is a Power Of One  AMERICANTOWNS HERO

Princess Tea Parties

 Magic of Horses

 Sundance Star of Jason and Elihu

Elephants, Zebras and Gentle Carousel

Our Rescues and Therapy Friends

              Tiny Horses of Distant Thunder Ranch 

Magical Moments Fashion Show

Magic Horses Poem

Lake City Journal | Lake City, FL Therapy Dog Henry's Newspaper Column

  Holiday Memories

Contact Us

 Gentle Carousel Therapy Horses is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity.

     Your donations are tax deductible. Help us grant wishes, make memories and bring a little magic into the world.

Gentle Carousel Inc.

P.O. Box 358844

Gainesville, FL  32635

Phone: 352-226-9009

MiniHorseTherapy@att.net

  Rainbow in a huddle with two time Super Bowl champion and Super Bowl MVP quarterback Phil Simms.

Hugh Jackman talks about Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses on stage during his amazing Broadway show.

 

"Keep up the wonderful work you do.  I often tell people that Lassie was the first therapy dog--the first to be allowed in hospitals more than 50 years ago!"      

Jon Provost, Appeared as Timmy Martin on Lassie

Cloudburst wins Martha Stewart's Annual Halloween Photo Contest!  Martha talked about Gentle Carousel on her website and Twitter.  Thank you Martha!

Cloudburst on People Magazine website.

"...Gentle Carousel, you are wonderful, gentle, caring people! "

Marlo Thomas,Actress, producer, best selling author, four-time Emmy winner and activist for children's causes

A photo of Peanut and Aladdin were on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and her website home page. Who doesn't love Ellen!

Canine movie star Benji working with Magic.

"What they are doing is just so incredible.  They are making a difference. These people are the real deal.  They are down there in the trenches doing it."

Joe Camp, film writer, producer, director, bestselling author and man behind canine superstar Benji.

Rainbow with THE DUKES OF HAZZARD star Tom Wopat.

Sundance reading at a Boys and Girls Club with former NFL and University of Florida  quarterback Doug Johnson for an Associated Press photo and literacy poster.

 

Gentle Carousel was selected a charity partner in Disney's volunteer program "Give a Day. Get a Day."

As Seen in:

TeaTime Magazine

"Your Reading Is Magic program and volunteers are heroes every time they walk into a school or library.  Using little miniature horses to inspire young children to read is most creative.  Congratulations on your wonderful charity, spirit and service to your community."

 William J. Bennett, Former Secretary of Education

James Gurney, Best-selling author and illustrator of the Dinotopia book series.

"Gentle Carousel...  Thank you for all of your hard work!"

Joan Lundon, Journalist, author and television host

 Magic with four-time Olympian and ten-time US Female Equestrian Athlete of the Year, Karen O'Connor.

 

Magic with David O'Connor, president of the United States Equestrian Federation, Olympic gold medalist and Pan American Games and World Equestrian Games medalist.

 

"Reading Is Magic!

Every child you inspire to read is a life forever changed. Thank you for that and for bringing books to life...It can take you from outer space to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Either way, the journey is magical.

...Wow.  Love those little horses... Great job you're doing.  I'm proud of you." 

-Homer Hickam, #1 New York Times Bestselling author and NASA engineer  

"What you have to get across is that these are highly trained horses. They go into an environment, a situation, circumstances where only a trained horse such as this can navigate himself... They seem to have an innate sense of how to go to the person they are there to comfort."

 Ilene Silverman, Executive producer and host of the The Ilene Silverman Show.

"...I think that the use of horses is wonderful for children with self-regulation and attachment issues (the classic problems with so many children in the CPS system as you are aware)...Keep up your work. With  Respect"

Bruce D. Perry, M.D., Ph.D.Senior Fellow
The Child Trauma Academy 

"...I just wanted to take the opportunity to write you a letter expressing my amazement with your miracle miniature horse "Magic". As I read about all the miraculous things that have happened in her presence, I was absolutely stunned. It is amazing that despite the modern marvels of medicine and how much that field has advanced in my lifetime, that sometimes there remains an unexplained element to health and recovery that is covered by miraculous creatures like your horse..."

Senator Steve Oelrich

"Magic and Gentle Carousel, Inspiring children to read is magical. You are making a difference!"

 Chris Soentpiet, Acclaimed children's book author and illustrator (Thank you for the beautiful artwork you donated to help Gentle Carousel's Reading Is Magic!)

 "My own daughter, who has Down Syndrome has been touched by Magic. I have been able to see first hand what these animals can do just with my own child...This program benefits so many different population bases. They can reach the elderly, the terminally ill, children with developmental disabilities, children with needs in reading...there are just so many opportunities to reach so many people in need..."

Lance Block, Chairman for the Governor's Commission on Disabilities

"What 'Reading Is Magic' does for kids by going into schools and igniting excitement for reading a story is beyond compare.  Keep the hoof beats going."

Carl Joseph, author and Hall of Fame athlete

 

"What an honor and thrill to have Gentle Carousel's Sundance as a riveting character in JASON AND ELIHU."

Shelley Fraser Mickle, Award winning author and National Public Radio commentator  

 

Sundance smiles for a fan then kisses one of his photos in the novel JASON AND ELIHU as an autograph.

 "You have a wonderful program. Thank you for bringing joy to children... Keep reading! It is magic!"

Anna Grossnickle Hines, Author and illustrator of over 50 children's books.

"...Thank you for all the work you do...Reading is Magic!"

Linda Sue Park, Bestselling author and Newbery Medal Winner

 

WAKANDA

Strebor Magical Illusion

 AMHA/AMHR Bay Tobiano with ice blue eye

WAKANDA: Native American Sioux name meaning "possesses magical power."

 

 

Lake City Journal | Lake City, FL

History in miniature at O'Leno State Park Literacy Day

History in miniature at O'Leno State Park Literacy Day
Aladdin (left) and Peanut, in full literary costume, visit with children at O'Leno State Park Literacy Day.
Miniature horses and history and Native American traditions featured at Literacy Day at O'Leno State Park
 
Wakanda, a one-year-old pinto, shows off the designs painted by children at Literacy day. (Gentle Carousel photo)
Wakanda, a one-year-old pinto, shows off the designs painted by children at Literacy day.
A special book about a painted pony inspired a boy to read at Literacy Day. (Gentle Carousel photo)
A special book about a painted pony inspired a boy to read at Literacy Day.

 

Five tiny horses brought a special program to O'Leno State Park Literacy Day, featuring children's books written and illustrated by Native Americans

“We did two hours of programs with five horses, including our new Gift Horse/Native Americans and Horses program that included painting on Pintos,” said Debbie Garcia-Bengochea of Gentle Carousel Therapy Horses.

“The children had fun painting the traditional symbols on the horses -- who washed up very well after the program,” she said.

Our new therapy horse in training, Cloudburst, made his first public appearance as one of the pintos and was a park ranger favorite!

Families could enter the park on Literacy Day free if they donated a new or lightly used book.

All of the children's books donated were given to Gentle Carousel to give to children at Happy House in Lake City. Gentle Carousel will visit Happy House on a regular schedule.

Gentle Carousel began as a therapy-horse program, visiting children’s hospitals, Hospice and nursing homes. The tiny horses bring joy to patients and take their attention away from their medical challenges.

A reading program followed, matching horses with those in books. Debbie and Jorge Garcia-Bengochea have acquired a variety of miniature horses that look just like the literary characters in books, such as “Run with the Wind,” “Black Beauty” and “Year of the Black Pony.”

To see all of the animals and learn more about Gentle Carousel, visit www.Horse-Therapy.org


 

 

   

Reading Is Magic books for Wakanda.

Reading Is Magic books for Wakanda.

 

  Peanut in a UF cheerleader costume and Wakanda in a UF football costume with University of Florida Hall Of Fame football player and 12 season NFL player (currently with the Atlanta Falcons) Mike Peterson.  The horses helped at a Peterson Foundation charity event.

 

 

Pedigree for Wakanda

Sire

LM HAWKS GRAND STAND

2006 33" Bay Frame/Sabino Overo with 2 blue eyes
 

Lab Tested: Positive for LWO,
Sabino, Agouti, Homozygous Black


Parentage Qualified

 

Sire

Stand Out Loud

LM HAWKS STAND OUT LOUD

2003 33.50" Bay Pinto

Grand & Supreme Halter Champion now living in Germany

Sire

CHAMPION FARMS NIGHTHAWK

1994 33.75" Bay Pinto

AMHA multiple World Champion, sire of multiple AMHA World Grand Champions, multiple AMHA World
Champions & Reserve World Champions, along with being the 2002 National Champion Get of Sire - beating Sids Rebel , 2003 National Champion Get of Sire and Little Kings Black Velvet!!

Sire

LAZY N REDBOY

1981 30.5" Solid Chestnut

Sire of AMHA World Grand Champion, multiple World Reserve Grand Champions, multiple World Champions & World Reserve Champions

Son of:

ROWDY

Producer of AMHA National Grand Champions, AMHA National Reserve Grand Champions, National Champions and Reserve Champions

Dam

BOND MISS DEMEANOR

1991 32.75" Sorrel Pinto

Granddaughter  of:

BOND SHOWBOY

1969 28.5" Black Pinto

Sire of multiple World and National Champions including:

Bond Snippet

BOND SNIPPET

 World Champion and Reserve World Champion Halter Stallion AMHA High-Point Stallion Reserve World Champion Get of Sire

Multiple World Champion Producer

Dam

 Flying W Farms De Ja Blue

FLYING W FARMS DE JA BLUE
1992 31.5"  Solid Dun

World Top Ten Mare now living in France

Supreme Champion Producer

 

Sire

FLYING W FARMS LITTLE BLUE CODY
1984 30" Solid Grey

 Son of:

 Blue Boy

FLYING W FARMS LITTLE BLUE BOY 

 AMHA and IMHR Reserve National Champion Senior Stallion

Multiple National Grand Champion Producer

Dam

FLYING W FARMS BLUE ILLUSION

1984 31" Solid Sorrel

Daughter of:

Blue Boy

FLYING W FARMS LITTLE BLUE BOY 

 AMHA and IMHR Reserve National Champion Senior Stallion

Multiple National Grand Champion Producer

Dam

FLYING W FARMS BLUE ANGEL
1995 32"  Solid Black

       

Sire

FLYING W FARMS BLUE PATENT
1985 30"  Solid Black

Sire

Blue Boy

FLYING W FARMS LITTLE BLUE BOY 

1975 30" Dapple Gray

 AMHA and IMHR Reserve National Champion Senior Stallion

Multiple National Grand Champion Producer

Dam

FLYING W FARMS FAYDONNA
31"  Unregistered

Dam

FLYING W FARMS BLUE DAWN
1984 34"  Solid Grey

Sire

Blue Boy

FLYING W FARMS LITTLE BLUE BOY 

1975 30" Dapple Gray

 AMHA and IMHR Reserve National Champion Senior Stallion

Multiple National Grand Champion Producer

Dam

KILTWYN EARLY DAWN
1968 32"  Dapple Chestnut

Dam

CVF MAGIC DESIGN

1994 32" Black Pinto

Magic is a SEVEN time National Champion in halter, color, and showmanship!

Sire

NFCS COMPETITOR

1986 29.5" Black Pinto

Sire of National Champions

Sire


DELS APACHE

1977 30" Black Pinto

Sire of many National Grand Champions Stallions including:


NFCs Apache Kid

Sire

DELL TERAS DR SPHINX

1964 31" Black Pinto

Sire of National Grand C

Sire of  National Grand Champions

hampions

Dam

DELL TERAS MISS MARLENA

1970 30.5" Solid Bay

Dam

NFCS BLACK BEAUTY

1982 31" Solid Black p

Produced multiple National and World Champions

Sire

GOLD BOND KING LARIGO

 Unregistered

Dam

LITTLE CYCLONE MARE

 34 "Unregistered

Dam

FLYING W FARMS MAGIC SPRING

 1987 34" Solid Sorrel

Dam of National Grand Champions

Sire

FLYING W FARMS GOLDEN SHADOW

 1980 30" Solid Chestnut

Produced multiple National and World Champions

Sire

FLYING W FARMS SYNBAD

 1976 39" Solid Grey

Dam

FLYING W FARMS SHADOW

 1975 31" Solid Chestnut

Sire of National Grand Champions

Dam

FLYING W FARMS MAGIC MIST

35" Unregistered

Sire
Unknown- Unregistered

Dam

Unknown- Unregistered

 

 

Gentle Carousel Therapy Horses is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity.

Your donations are tax deductible.

There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man." ~Winston Churchill

 

Phone: 352-226-9009

E-mail: MiniHorseTherapy@att.net

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© 2005-2012 Gentle Carousel Therapy Miniature Horses  All rights reserved.