Therapeutic Riding Instruction involves teaching special needs children horse care and horseback riding. Horses can give a child who needs help with the ordinary tasks of daily living a sense of freedom and independence. Other benefits include but are not limited to: improved self confidence, increased feelings of accomplishment, improved concentration, improved listening and communication skills, improved sensory awareness, development of empathy and patience, improved balance, and motor and social skill development.
Bonds between instructors, therapists, volunteers, specially trained therapy horses, and our riders bring about opportunities for building strong, trusting relationships. This can be the foundation for strong, healthy interactions with people from every facet of that rider’s life.
Hippotherapy
Hippotherapy is a widely accepted treatment modality within medical and educational communities, uses horses as natural therapy assistants. Children respond to horses in a positive way that cannot be duplicated in any clinical setting. Medical professionals such as physical, occupational and speech therapists use the movement and temperament of the horse to meet clinical goals in a very unique and fun way. The horses walking gait almost perfectly simulates the movement of a child walking. This provides the perfect opportunity for children with motor deficits to develop muscle strength, normalize tone, and gain endurance. This movement also facilitates improved auditory and verbal processing, communication and interactive skills.
