Horse Country

The words on Kim Brady's barn wall say it all: "In riding a horse we borrow freedom."

In our increasingly urbanized world, most of us rarely encounter a horse. But they're here-some in barns that look like mansions on gated estates, and others in backyard stables next to little concrete-block homes. Some Southwest Florida horses simply provide an occasional relaxing ride for their owners, while others are schooled in more exacting arts. At Da Vinci Farms in Fort Myers, Robert Braren trains horses and students in the classic art of precision riding known as dressage. At Naples Equestrian Challenge, disabled riders strengthen their muscles, balance-and self-confidence-through learning to ride and care for their animals. Even the helpers seem to share in the healing therapy, with every rider and assistant smiling with pure joy.

Many horse lovers confess that what started as a hobby has become a passion that rules their lives. Naples' Theresa Blewett, a Pennsylvania transplant, says she "cleaned houses to get the money to ride." Kathryn Tout of Naples sells real estate to feed her horse habit. And Pia Johansson searched from Sarasota to Marco Island to find waterfront property that could also accommodate her Clydesdales. (She found room for her large draft horses and various wagons and buggies in Alva.)

Like many others around the region, these horse-lovers treasure escaping from the pressures of busy modern lives to the simpler setting of stables and pastoral country. And most of all, they cherish the intense connection-and uncanny communication-that can grow between human and horse.