Therapeutic Horseback Riding

Who Do We Help?

Riding has proven effective as recreational therapy in the treatment of various disabilities including but not limited to:

Autism Hearing Impaired

CVA (stroke) Traumatic Brain Injury

Cerebral Palsy Muscular Dystrophy

Developmental Delays Parkinson's Disease

Down Syndrome Sight Impaired

Intellectual Disabilities Spina Bifida

Multiple Sclerosis SID (sensory integration)

Paralysis Various Syndromes Emotional Disabilities Pervasive Development Disorder

Riders must have a disability and benefit from Equestrian Therapy to ride in the program. All riders are required to have a competed packet of forms (including a liability release, consents, and health history for example) and a Physician Referral form in order to ride.The rider must be four years of age or older and have a minimum sitting balance and head control of a 6 month old.

What is Therapeutic Horseback Riding?

The horse’s walk is a multi-dimensional, rhythmic and symmetrical gait that works one side of the student’s body, then the other, causing the pelvis to work both back and forth, side to side and up and down, just as it would if the rider were walking in the normal manner on the ground. This helps the rider maintain the proper postural alignment while stimulating the correct muscles. Through the motion of the horse, individuals with disabilities experience greater self-awareness, increased attention span and improved balance, coordination, muscle tone and physical condition. Our horses are marvelously mobile therapeutic machines.

Riding Encourages: