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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

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:

"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

Cloudburst Wins Martha Stewart Photo Contest

Martha Stewart's 2011

Halloween Photo Contest

Our Winner

Cloudburst, a miniature horse from Gainesville, Florida. "These tiny therapy horses (only 19 and 20 inches tall) work inside hospitals, assisted care programs, programs for Alzheimer's patients, group homes, and with patients in hospice care. They also work with sheriff's officers in high-crime neighborhoods as part of a community outreach program and help children with developmental delays and at risk-and abused children. They'll wear a tuxedo to a magical tea party for a child with a life ending illness or work with autistic children -- these little horses bring special love where it is needed most.

Cloudburst is a member of Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses, an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity. The team of 26 tiny therapy horses visits thousands of adults and children each year. Learn more at horse-therapy.org.

Several weeks before the contest winner was announced Martha Stewart mentioned Gentle Carousel on Twitter and gave the link to our website. Thank you Martha!

Gentle Carousel's Cloudburst won Martha Stewart's 2011 Halloween Photo Contest and also appeared on People Magazine website. The photo was selected from over 500 national finalists. Photos of Cloudburst and his therapy horse friends were also on The Martha Stewart Show and The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

The Cloudburst photo was picked up on the internet and thousands shared it on Facebook.

Columbia County horse wins Martha Stewart's 2011 Halloween Photo Contest

Columbia County horse wins Martha Stewart's 2011 Halloween Photo Contest

This photo of the tiny horse, Cloudburst, won Martha Stewart's 2011 Halloween Photo Contest. He is wearing the scarecrow outfit he recently wore at a Happy House reading program. The photo was selected from 500 national finalists. Cloudburst is one of the Gentle Carousel miniature horses that visit hospitals and nursing homes. The horses also are featured in children's reading programs. (Gentle Carousel photo)

Horse wins Photo Contest

Author: Equine Journal Staff

He is really holding his basket! Therapy horse Cloudburst wearing his scarecrow costume won Martha Stewart's 2011 Halloween Photo Contest. The photo was selected from over 500 national finalists.

Cloudburst and his therapy horses friends, all wearing Halloween costumes, have spent October "Trick or Treating" inside hospitals, assisted care programs, programs for Alzheimer's patients and with patients in hospice care. They are members of Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses, an all volunteer 501 (c)(3) non-profit charity. The horses and volunteers visit thousands of adults and children each year. Martha Stewart also mentioned the horse therapy program on Twitter and posted the charity's website information.
Another Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horse in costume named Aladdin was selected by Southern Living Magazine for their 2011 Halloween Pet Parade photos. He was wearing his costume from a Muscular Dystrophy Association charity event.

Therapy horse Magic is wearing a tuxedo in the November issue of National Geographic Kids magazine (in 20 languages / 60 countries). Bringing smiles with tiny horses and Halloween costumes!

Don't You Just Wanna Scoop Them Up?

Aladdin and Peanut are two miniature horse therapy friends who have spent October "Trick or Treating" inside hospitals, assisted care programs, programs for Alzheimer's patients and with patients in hospice care.

Happy Horsey Halloween!

There are a few times each year when many adults--myself included--transform into big kids, and one of those times is Halloween. The concept of dressing up as alter egos and scaring the pants off anyone available is just something we can't pass up!

The winning photo of Gentle Carousel's Cloudburst portraying a scarecrow.
One celebrity who always gets into the holiday spirit is the "Queen of Homemaking," Martha Stewart. Also an animal lover and horse owner, Stewart hosts pet photo contests on her website throughout the year. Her latest contest? The 2011 Halloween Pet Photo Contest. And this year the winner was a tiny equid that was just too adorable to say 'no' to.
According to a press release from Gentle Carousel Miniature Horses, Steward selected Gentle Carousel Cloudburst as the winner of her Halloween photo contest. The tiny horse was chosen from more than 500 entries from around the nation, the release indicated.

"Cloudburst and his therapy horse friends, all wearing Halloween costumes, have spent October 'Trick or Treating' inside hospitals, assisted care programs, programs for Alzheimer's patients, and with patients in hospice care," the release continued. "They are members of Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses, an all volunteer 501 (c)(3) non-profit charity. The 26 tiny horses visit thousands of adults and children each year."

And yes, the press release noted, Cloudburst really is holding the basket!

I was pretty excited to see little Cloudburst recognized, not only for being really stinkin' cute, but also to bring further notoriety to the wonderful therapeutic work Miniature Horses do all across the country. Not something you've heard much about? I would definitely recommend reading up ... it's very heart-warming stuff.

Motivated by Cloudburst and the rest of the Minis in costume from Gentle Carousel, I decided to scour the Internet to bring you some of the best in horsey Halloween costumes:

A post from the Examiner showed a great paint job to liken a sorrel-colored horse to a giraffe. I can only imagine the time it took get the lines just right...and the patience it took on the horse's part to remain still for that long!

Halloweenhorse.blogspot.com kept my attention for quite a while with many intriguing costumes including Little Bo Peep (and a very large sheep), Gumby and Pokey, a pi�ata, and the Cheshire cat from Alice in Wonderland. This site also featured two of the most patient and tolerant horses the world has ever seen dressed as a rocking horse and a tractor (I promise there's a pony in there somewhere!).

Not to be outdone, the Midwest Stallion Directory followed up with horses dressed as Dino from The Flintstones, a very scary dragon, Cousin It from The Addams Family (a costume that remarkably resembles my Miniature Horse, Brandy, during the cold winter months...), and--my personal favorite--Gary from SpongeBob SquarePants.

Cavalo e Halloween

25/10/2011, 12:03

No m�s de Halloween a Martha Stewart promoveu um concurso de fotos de pets e fantasias de hallowen.

O vencedor foi o ponei Cloudburst. Ele faz parte de um projeto de terapia em Hospitais, o �Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses�

National

Horse wins Martha Stewart's annual Halloween Photo Contest

He is really holding his basket! Therapy horse Cloudburst wearing his scarecrow costume won Martha Stewart's 2011 Halloween Photo Contest. The photo was selected from over 500 national finalists.

He is really holding his basket! Therapy horse Cloudburst wearing his scarecrow costume won Martha Stewart's 2011 Halloween Photo Contest. The photo was selected from over 500 national finalists.

Cloudburst and his therapy horses friends, all wearing Halloween costumes, have spent October "Trick or Treating" inside hospitals, assisted care programs, programs for Alzheimer's patients and with patients in hospice care. They are members of Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses, an all volunteer 501 (c)(3) non-profit charity. The horses and volunteers visit over 10,000 adults and children each year. Martha Stewart also mentioned the horse therapy program on Twitter and posted the charity's website information.

Another horse in costume, therapy horse Aladdin wearing his outfit from a Muscular Dystrophy Association charity event was selected by Southern Living Magazine for their 2011 Halloween Pet Parade photos.

Therapy horse Magic is wearing a tuxedo in the new November issue of National Geographic Kids magazine (in 20 languages / 60 countries). She was also wearing the tux inside In Touch Weekly magazine. It has been a good month for costumes!

He�s So Sweet He�s Already a Winner�but Now Martha Stewart Confirms It

This adorable miniature horse--who is also a therapy horse--won Martha Stewart's Halloween Pets 2011 Photo Contest, and it's easy to see why.

Cloudburst, a miniature therapy horse of Gentle Carousel, models his Halloween look that won him the most popular pet in Martha Stewart's photo contest. | Photos courtesy of Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses

Gentle Carousel�s miniature therapy horse Cloudburst wearing his scarecrow costume (he really is holding his basket) won Martha Stewart�s Halloween Pets 2011 Photo Contest. The photo was selected from over 500 national finalists.

The winning description was included on Martha Stewart�s contest page:

��These tiny therapy horses (only 19 and 20 inches tall) work inside hospitals, assisted care programs, programs for Alzheimer�s patients, group homes, and with patients in hospice care,� writes gentlecarousel. �They also work with sheriff�s officers in high-crime neighborhoods as part of a community outreach program, and help children with developmental delays and at risk-and abused children. They�ll wear a tuxedo to a magical tea party for a child with a life ending illness or work with autistic children � these little horses bring special love where it is needed most.� �

Cloudburst and his therapy horse friends, all wearing Halloween costumes, have spent October �Trick or Treating� inside hospitals, assisted care programs, programs for Alzheimer�s patients and with patients in hospice care. They are members of Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses, an all volunteer 501 (c)(3) non-profit charity. The team of 26 therapy horses and volunteers visit thousands of adults and children each year.

Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horse "Magic" models a tuxedo for a friend.

Gentle Carousel therapy horse Aladdin shows off his outfit from a Muscular Dystrophy Association charity event.

Being recognized by Martha Stewart was reportedly exciting for costume designer Sally Anfinsen, who makes more than 50 costumes a year for the miniature horses, everything from little cheerleader outfits for a camp for children with cancer to �Uncle Sam� outfits for the horses to wear at veteran�s hospitals.

Sally is currently working on 1950′s sock hop outfits for the horses (with leather jackets and poodle skirts) for an upcoming dance marathon to benefit The Children�s Miracle Network.


Local miniature horse wins Martha Stewart contest




Gentle Carousel "Cloudburst" as a Scarecrow

Posted: Wednesday, November 2, 2011 9:31 pm | Updated: 9:32 pm, Wed Nov 2, 2011.

Cloudburst, a therapy horse with Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses in High Springs, won the Martha Stewart's 2011 Halloween Photo Contest. Cloudburst is shown here actually holding his own basket.
In addition, a photo of therapy horse Aladdin wearing his costume from a Muscular Dystrophy Association charity event this year was selected by Southern Living Magazine for its 2011 Halloween Pet Parade photos.

Further, another therapy horse, Magic, is wearing her tuxedo in the November issue of National Geographic Kids magazine.

For more information, visit:

http://www.Horse-Therapy.org

NEWS SEARCH ANALYSIS INSIGHT

Miniature horse wins national contest

Cloudburst, one of the Gentle Carousel Therapy Horses, in costume. Special to the Star-Banner.

OCALA � Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses often visit people in Marion County, including at assisted living facilties. One of the horses, named Cloudburst,...

He is really holding his basket! Therapy horse Cloudburst wearing his scarecrow costume won Martha Stewart's 2011 Halloween Photo Contest. The photo was selected from over 500 national finalists.

He is really holding his basket! Therapy horse Cloudburst wearing his scarecrow costume won Martha Stewart's 2011 Halloween Photo Contest. The photo was selected from over 500 national finalists.

Cloudburst and his therapy horses friends, all wearing Halloween costumes, have spent October "Trick or Treating" inside hospitals, assisted care programs, programs for Alzheimer's patients and with patients in hospice care. They are members of Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses, an all volunteer 501 (c)(3) non-profit charity. The horses and volunteers visit over 10,000 adults and children each year. Martha Stewart also mentioned the horse therapy program on Twitter and posted the charity's website information.

Another horse in costume, therapy horse Aladdin wearing his outfit from a Muscular Dystrophy Association charity event was selected by Southern Living Magazine for their 2011 Halloween Pet Parade photos.
Oct 24, 2011, 15:49

Therapy Horse Wins Martha Stewart Halloween Photo Contest |

discoverhorses.com

October 24, 2011--Therapy horse Cloudburst (wearing his scarecrow costume and really carrying his basket) won Martha Stewart's 2011 Halloween Photo Contest. The photo was selected from over 500 national finalists.

He�s So Sweet He�s Already a Winner�but Now Martha Stewart Confirms It

Costume Contest Winner

Gentle Carousel�s miniature therapy horse Cloudburst wearing his scarecrow costume (he really is holding his basket) won Martha Stewart�s Halloween Pets 2011 Photo Contest. The photo was selected from over 500 national finalists.

The winning description was included on Martha Stewart�s contest page:

��These tiny therapy horses (only 19 and 20 inches tall) work inside hospitals, assisted care programs, programs for Alzheimer�s patients, group homes, and with patients in hospice care,� writes gentlecarousel. �They also work with sheriff�s officers in high-crime neighborhoods as part of a community outreach program, and help children with developmental delays and at risk-and abused children. They�ll wear a tuxedo to a magical tea party for a child with a life ending illness or work with autistic children � these little horses bring special love where it is needed most.�

CLOUDBURST

This miniature therapy horse is ready to provide some sugary comfort to all his neighbors.

Miniature horse wins national contest

by Susan Smiley-Height Ocala Star-Banner

Cloudburst, one of the Gentle Carousel Therapy Horses, in costume. Special to the Star-Banner.

OCALA � Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses often visit people in Marion County, including at assisted living facilties. One of the horses, named Cloudburst, recently won Martha Stewart�s 2011 Halloween Photo Contest.
Cloudburst, wearing his scarecrow costume and holding his trick or treat basket was selected from more than 500 finalists.
Cloudburst and his therapy horses friends, all wearing Halloween costumes, have spent October �trick or treating� inside hospitals, assisted care facilities, at programs for Alzheimer�s patients and with patients in hospice care, according to a news release.
Being recognized by Stewart was encouraging for the designer who makes and donates all of the costumes the horses use for therapy visits year round, noted the release. She is currently working on 1950s sock hop outfits for the horses (with leather jackets and poodle skirts) for a visit to an upcoming dance marathon to benefit The Children�s Miracle Network. The horses will have �Uncle Sam� outfits for a veteran�s event in Ocala on Nov. 11, stated the release.

ALL ABOUT HORSES

Learn about the basics of horsemanship, breeds, disciplines, horse care, horse management and more.

Horse Wins Martha Stewart Halloween

Costume Photo Contest

October 24, 2011-- There is some exciting news at Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses.
Therapy horse Cloudburst (wearing his scarecrow costume and really carrying his basket) won Martha Stewart's 2011 Halloween Photo Contest. The photo was selected from over 500 national finalists. We thought it was interesting last week that Martha Stewart was on Twitter talking about our therapy horses and posted our website information... now we know why. Thank you Martha!

Cloudburst and his therapy horses friends have spent October doing hospital and hospice "Trick or Treating" in their Halloween costumes. Being recognized by Martha Stewart was encouraging for the costume designer who makes and donates all of the costumes the horses use all year. She is currently working on 50's sock hop outfits for the horses (with leather jackets and poodle skirts) for an upcoming dance marathon to benefit The Children's Miracle Network.

In addition, a photo of therapy horse Aladdin wearing his costume from a Muscular Dystrophy Association charity event was selected by Southern Living Magazine for their 2011 Halloween Pet Parade photos.

Therapy horse Magic is wearing her tuxedo in the new November issue of National Geographic Kids magazine (in 20 languages / 60 countries) so it is a fun month for costumes! She was also in In Touch Weekly magazine last month in her tux.

Cloudburst The Therapy Horse

Florida Horse Wins Martha Stewart�s Annual Halloween Photo Contest

Aladdin and Peanut

Some exciting news at Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses.

Therapy horse Cloudburst (wearing his scarecrow costume and really carrying his basket) won Martha Stewart�s 2011 Halloween Photo Contest. The photo was selected from over 500 national finalists. We thought it was interesting last week that Martha Stewart was on Twitter talking about our therapy horses and posted our website information� now we know why. Thank you Martha!

Cloudburst and his therapy horses� friends have spent October doing hospital and hospice �Trick or Treating� in their Halloween costumes. Being recognized by Martha Stewart was encouraging for our costume designer who makes and donates all of the costumes our horses use all year. She is currently working on �50s sock hop outfits for our horses (with leather jackets and poodle skirts) for an upcoming dance marathon to benefit The Children�s Miracle Network.

In addition, a photo of therapy horse Aladdin wearing his costume from a Muscular Dystrophy Association charity event in Ocala, Florida was selected by Southern Living Magazine for their 2011 Halloween Pet Parade photos.

Therapy horse Magic is wearing her tuxedo in the new November issue of National Geographic Kids magazine (in 20 languages / 60 countries) so we are having a fun month for costumes! She was also in In Touch Weekly magazine last month in her tux.

Winners of our Coolest Pet Photo Contest 2011

Aladdin and Peanut

Coolest Pet Photo (not cat or dog): Therapy horses Aladdin and Peanut.

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

Gentle Carousel Inc.

P.O. Box 358844

Gainesville, FL 32635

Phone: 352-226-9009

MiniHorseTherapy@att.net

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