Equine therapy: “When they are on horseback, the disability becomes less visible, and they feel a little more like others.”

It's 3:30 p.m. this Monday when we pass through the archway marked "Centre hippique du Touring Club de France" on the edge of the Bois de Boulogne. We've barely arrived when the smell of the stables, a mixture of hay, leather, and horse manure, hits our nostrils. "Be very focused and don't forget to ask them to lend you some boots," Sabine, still at the wheel of her car, whispers to her daughter. But Jade, 20, is already elsewhere. She strides purposefully toward the stable, her gaze fixed on a white pony with red spots. "Look, it's Indian," she says, smiling, pointing at the animal.

For nearly five years, Jade has been practicing equine therapy. Disabled since birth, she suffers from growth retardation that affects some of her cognitive abilities. Every Monday, she meets up with Indien, her faithful companion. By his side, she works on her concentration and independence, while building a true bond with the animal. Alongside her, Maguelonne, 31, who has Down syndrome, and Quentin, 33, who has motor and mental disabilities, share these sessions. "Jade, come on, let me help you get on the pony," says Virginie, their equine therapist. She places a stepladder at Indien's feet and holds the reins while Jade climbs onto the horse. Then, she repeats the same movements for the other two participants, following a well-oiled routine. The session can begin.

The three riders engage their horses in turns of