JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- His name is Mango, an Arabian horse that normally spends his days in a field or in a barn.

He was a special guest at Hope Haven Children's Clinic on Beach Boulevard Tuesday.

The reason? He not only gave young patients a chance to get a good look at a horse, maybe for the first time, but also taught them lessons they can use.

"A lot of what you do with horses also translates into real life as far as responsibility and care, just getting to know an animal and relationships and so forth," Mango's owner, Karen Putzke, said.

"They are so excited, cannot contain themselves," Hope Haven executive director Laurie Price said.

So in groups of six, the children got hands-on instruction on how to treat a horse and how to care for one.

"It's a great experience for the children to see the horse up close and personal," Price said.

Mango took it all in stride. In fact, his owner said he enjoys the attention.

And she doesn't mind the help.

"It's a daily job to take care of the horse, probably a couple hours a day spent grooming, cleaning stalls, feeding, bringing them in and out of the pasture," Putzke said. "It's a lot of work, but it's a labor of love."

The horse's owner said this is not the first time Mango has visited a local facility.

He visits various centers throughout the year.