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Elaine Holt's horses need a hoof up

Hometown News: Ormond Beach, Daytona Beach, Holly Hill - 3/16/2018

"That woman reached my autistic child" said Catherine Kruger through tears while describing work done by Ormond Beach resident Elaine Holt.

"She got him on the horse and he rode around," Ms. Kruger said. "This is a child that would not go near the horse. The combination of children and horses is phenomenal. She has done so much, yet she is struggling so hard."

Ms. Holt and her horses are changing children's lives step by step and hoofprint by hoofprint. But the special riding program needs some financial assistance to continue its unique work.

Ms. Kruger and her husband, Gerard Kruger of Port Orange, have 12 children, including five special needs children who take riding lessons from Ms. Holt.

"I am in awe of the lady," Ms. Kruger said. "I think she is phenomenal. She has a great deal of empathy for special needs children. She is going out of her way to keep the horses so the children will have something to do."

Ms. Holt knows how big a struggle life can be for children.

"I grew up in foster homes" Ms. Holt said. "My mom died when I was 18 months old, my dad was an alcoholic who left us behind with our grandparents who couldn't take care of us. My sister and I went in the system and we got split up. My dad was supposedly murdered in South Carolina and that was the last and only time I saw him, in his casket."

She went on to describe a rough early life in her home state of Alabama that included 13 different foster homes and two group homes. Salvation came in the form of the late Sarah and Byron Pledger, who took her in at age 13. Although she had been exposed to horses before, it was while in their care she further developed her love and expertise with horses.

She said the Pledgers taught her to know right from wrong, to do what she can for others, for kids. She also credits God.

Ms. Holt moved to Florida from Alabama and has been doing her unique work, pairing children and horses on and off for 10 years, but for the last two years she has settled in Ormond Beach with Faith, her 11-year-old Tennessee Walker; Samson, her 16-year-old spotted saddle pony; and Clyde, her four-year-old miniature horse, all rescues.

"I have been out of work for a month due to health issues," Ms. Holt said. "I really need help in keeping my dream of helping children utilizing horses: ?One ride at a time.' I sponsor kids that have been through trauma, abuse, ADHD, special needs and (are) autistic. I do whatever I can do to bring a child into the world of horses. I give them an outlet.

"This all takes time and money," she said. "I am working hard to keep this going. I pay a lot for board and care, feed and hay, so if you can help, please do."

Although not a licensed therapist, Ms. Holt stated she combines her expertise of horses with her own childhood experiences and that of other foster children to create behavioral changes by putting children and her horses together.

"I actually came in contact with her through one of the local swip swap pages. I was looking for riding lessons for my daughter," said Taylor Walters. "Since then things just grew and we are now friends and doing what we can to help each other out."

"She is an amazing kind spirit and specializes in working with special needs children and those that have been physically or mentally abused," Ms. Taylor said. "She tries to heal children one ride at a time. By doing this, children can build character and responsibility. They gain confidence learning how to handle, feed, ride, and train a horse."

Ms. Walters noted, though, that Ms. Holt needs help.

She recently reopened her GoFundMe account, but it isn't gaining much traction.

Besides the work with horses, Ms. Holt has put on other community events for children. Her other nonprofit is Local Angels. Recently she did a "kids day out" where she had events at the barn, including getting members of local motorcycle chapters to give children rides in a safe environment.

This past Christmas she did a toy and clothing drive with Constance Jones (Children R Our Future), making it possible for 75 families to give their children a Christmas.

Ms. Holt has planned a "Princess for a Day" event for March 25 for 10 to 15 girls who have low self-esteem. A limousine was donated to them for the event and the day will include a photo shoot with the girls wearing donated formal gowns/dresses. Other volunteers will be doing the girls' hair, nails, makeup and snacks.

For more information, visit facebook.com/Localangelsormondfl or call (386) 290-3040.