Therapeutic riding is a unique combination of sport, recreation, and education. There are many benefits to therapeutic riding for individuals with cognitive, physical, or psychological disabilities. All students gain confidence by mastering riding skills. Therapeutic riding focuses on forming a partnership with the horse. The horse's gait closely emulates that of the human gait and allows the brain to practice correct walking movement patterns. Horses are very social animals. Social interactions are developed between the horse, therapist, instructors, volunteers, and other students.
Physical benefits can include greater strength and agility, improved balance and posture, improved weight bearing ability, improved circulation, respiration, and metabolism, normalizing of muscle tone, reduced spasticity, improved fine and gross motor skills, improved coordination, improved reflexes, and increased range of motion.
Psychological benefits can include an increase in recreation, fun, empowerment, social interactions, independence, improved self image, attention span and motivation, self-confidence, self-discipline, risk taking, patience, and trust.
Cognitive benefits can include sequencing, hand-eye coordination, multi-tasking, sensory integration, left/right discrimination, motor planning, patterning, and visual/spatial perception.
Educational benefits - through play riders learn to identify colors, numbers, shapes, animals, etc.
Social benefits - Friendships, development of respect for individuals and animals, love for animals, personal bonds, increased experiences, and enjoyment.
Riding for adults is a great way to achieve and/or maintain physical fitness, increase balance, increase flexibility, encourage better posture, lead to better cardio-vascular functioning, improve motor functioning, and help to achieve greater independence.
- Cerebral Palsy
- ADD/ADHD
- PTSD
- Down Syndrome
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Developmental Delays
- Paraplegia
- Traumatic brain injury
- Multiple sclerosis
- Muscular dystrophy
- Reactive Attachment Disorder
- Bipolar Disorder
- Mental Retardation
- Hearing impairments
- Visual impairments
Who benefits from Therapeutic Riding:
Please click here to view our Participant's Application Form