By 1808Delaware
On the second Saturday of each month, something unusual happens inside a barn in Delaware County. A folding chair is set just outside a stall. A child, or sometimes an adult, sits down with a book. On the other side of the gate stands a horse, ears forward, eyes soft, waiting. Then the reading begins.
There are no grades. No corrections. No one interrupting to fix a mispronounced word. Just the steady rhythm of a voice and the calm presence of an animal that seems to listen without judgment. Thanks to a new 2026 sponsorship from the Delaware County District Library, this quiet moment will continue for readers of all ages through the “Read with the Horses” program at Stockhands Horses for Healing.
Why Reading To A Horse Works
Programs that pair reading with animals have long been known to help hesitant readers build confidence. Dogs are often used in libraries for this purpose. Horses, it turns out, bring something uniquely powerful to the experience.
“Programs like reading with horses or dogs help build confidence in readers and create positive associations with reading, which leads to a lifetime of learning,” said DCDL Director Bryan Howard.
The idea is simple. When there is no fear of being corrected or judged, readers relax. When they relax, they read more freely. When they read more freely, they begin to enjoy it. That shift can be life changing, especially for children who struggle with reading aloud in school or feel self conscious in front of others.
At Stockhands, the horses stand quietly in their enclosures while participants sit just outside the stall. The setting is calm, unhurried, and surprisingly peaceful for a barn. The visit also includes a short tour and an introduction to the horses, turning the reading session into a memorable experience rather than a task.
A Program That Filled Up Fast
The first “Read with the Horses” event took place on July 12, 2025. What began as a single program quickly became one of the most popular community offerings at Stockhands.
With support from the Friends of the Delaware County District Library and the Delaware County Foundation Polaris Community Fund, the program remained free throughout 2025. In just five months, nearly 500 children and family members participated. Almost every monthly session reached capacity. Reading sessions are offered every second Saturday, with one hour registration blocks between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM. While many participants are children, the program is open to anyone who simply wants to spend quiet time reading in the company of a horse.
Some books are available on site, but readers are encouraged to bring their own. The horses, organizers say, enjoy all subjects equally.
“We Don’t Rescue Horses. Our Horses Rescue People.”
For the team at Stockhands Horses for Healing, the reading program fits naturally into their broader mission.
“Our volunteers have been known to say, ‘We don’t rescue horses at Stockhands, our horses rescue people,’ and I couldn’t say it better myself,” said Angie Mack, Stockhands Director of Development. “We have been thrilled with the support of the community and the library for this event.”
Stockhands serves children and adults with developmental and physical disabilities, veterans, first responders, and individuals navigating mental health challenges and recovery. Public programs like Read with the Horses offer the wider community a glimpse into the therapeutic environment the organization creates every day.
“It’s in these moments where we can share the therapeutic effects of our horses and allow the community to come in, lay down their burdens, and spend a few quiet moments in the presence of one of these amazing animals,” Mack said.
What Visitors Can Expect
Participants sit in a chair just outside the stall and read while the horse stands inside. The setting is intentionally simple. No distractions. No rush. Attendees are advised to wear weather and barn appropriate clothing. The experience is less about a formal event and more about creating a comfortable, memorable hour. For many families, it becomes something they look forward to each month.
A Partnership That Extends The Library Beyond Its Walls
With more than 110,000 cardholders, the Delaware County District Library serves residents across the Delaware City, Buckeye Valley, and Olentangy school districts. Sponsoring Read with the Horses reflects the library’s mission in a way that goes beyond its buildings. The Library’s mission is clear: to open doors to imagination, knowledge, connection, and discovery. On the second Saturday of each month, one of those doors opens not in a reading room, but in a barn aisle, where a reader, a book, and a horse share a quiet moment that can make reading feel less like a challenge and more like a gift.
More information about the program and registration can be found at delawarelibrary.org/event. Details about Stockhands Horses for Healing are available at stockhands.org.
