SOUTH BEND — With around $50 million in breeding rights, and $3 million already earned on the track in winnings, it is estimated that each one of Big Brown’s legs is worth around $13.25 million. The horses at Reigns of Life don’t cost nearly that much, but they may be worth even more.

“When you have a child that has seizures, and has been in and out of the hospital, it is so nice to see them get to do something that they like to do -- and also something that helps them," explained Marisa Grover.

Her son J.R. suffers from Angelman’s Syndrome, and rides at the Reigns of Life stable a few times a week. Reins of Life offers riding lessons to children and adults with disabilities, and the lessons they learn in class extend far beyond the stables into their everyday lives. J.R learned to take steps on his own shortly after taking lessons.

“We work a lot on right and left, we do a lot of color matching, counting, numbers, and letters," said head instructor Sarah Meyer. “Students are learning things here and enjoying it. They don’t even realize they are actually retaining information, because they are having so much fun."

While Big Brown and other big name horses may be worth millions, the ones inside the Reins of Life stables are priceless.