EUGENE, Ore. (KMTR) - Woman who owns horse says she used to ride her, but due to back surgeries she now needs to train the mare in a different way.
Her Anheuser-Busch Clydesdale is part of a training group in Eugene taking lessons at the Oregon Horse Center.
Maddie is a 13-year-old, 2,400 pound mare who was bred by Anheuser-Busch. Her trainer Carrie Parker is part of the Getting Grounded program at the Oregon Horse Center. Maddie's owner Angie has back issues so they're teaching the horse to give cart rides. After that, they hope to get her involved with riding, therapy and educational programs for kids.
“Some of these city kids don't even know what these animals are”, says Parker. “These horses just draw the kids in, little tiny babies. I mean, she'll put her head down and just . . . they know. They know when kids have special needs, these horses know and feel it."
Maddie's training could take up to nine months. After she learns how to give cart rides he may be used at weddings or in commercials.