Taking the Reins program empowers girls with horseback riding

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A local non-profit is empowering young girls from low-income neighborhoods and teaching life skills through the joy of horseback riding and urban farming.

About 300 girls a year are served by the Taking the Reins program in Atwater Village. The girls not only learn to work with horses, but also manage their own organic garden and a farm full of animals.

The Los Angeles Police Department's Mounted Unit also mentors the group of young women, who mostly come from high-risk neighborhoods.

"Taking the reins took me away from that," said Mary Barrientos of Koreatown. "It gave me a second home. It gave me a second chance, and it gave me a good reason to be good."

Watch Elex Michaelson's full story in the video above of the inspiring service that is giving young girls a second chance at a positive future.