Mission Statement: The use of equine-assisted activities to promote functional independence and overall personal well-being for individuals that have physical, emotional, and/or cognitive limitations.
Volunteers hustle about, leading the anxious mounts in from the paddock and making the proper preparations for the students to come. The horses patiently await the arrival of riders, hoping that maybe, just maybe, an apple or a carrot will be their reward for the patience they will exhibit during the next hour.
WHY THERAPEUTIC RIDING?
Using specially trained horses, therapeutic riding provides psychological, physical, and social stimulation which encourages individuals to test their abilities. Self esteem is improved, riders receive therapeutic benefits, and they get to RIDE A HORSE!
HOW CAN A HANDICAPPED
PERSON RIDE A HORSE?
In Therapeutic Riding we emphasize independence. We use only the equipment necessary to enable an individual to be as independent as possible, yet at the same time maintaining safety as our number one goal. All of our students are provided with approved helmets.
Our riders generally use hunt seat or all purpose saddles. The English saddle has three main benefits for our riders. First, the student’s balance is challenged by riding in an English saddle. Second, the saddle allows for mobility while doing exercises. Third, the horse’s body heat easily escapes through the leather to relax the rider’s muscles. Some of our students ride with only a pad and a device similar to a vaulting surcingle, only it has a handle in the center on top.
Two different types of safety stirrups are used, each designed to enhance a student’s abilities. Some of our students are fit with safety belts in case there is a need for balance assistance.
HOW DO THE RIDERS GET ON A
HORSE?
As mentioned previously, independence is emphasized. We have a one-foot mounting step, a two-foot mounting block, and a three-foot mounting ramp. While some students mount by themselves from the ground, others require total assistance from the wheelchair to the horse. Many safe methods have been used. Every year someone comes up with something new and successful.
WHAT BENEFITS WILL A
STUDENT RECEIVE?
The physical benefits a client receives are unlimited. For our wheelchair students, this may be the only natural hip rotation the student experiences. Students will challenge themselves to maintain their balance with every step the horse takes. The student is also required to use his coordination while guiding the horse around obstacles-or even making the horse go.
The horse is the “therapist,” emotionally as well as physically. Through their lessons on horsemanship, our students receive a therapeutic experience. Most students are taught how to care for and groom a horse, as well as how to saddle a horse.
WHO ELSE IS INVOLVED?
We thrive on our volunteers. Some of the students need a leader-someone who helps guide the horse when the rider needs assistance. Some clients need sidewalkers-volunteers who walk beside them to assist with balance if necessary, or to reinforce directions as needed. Riders may require most any combination of the above, or ride independently. Volunteers are there to help-not to do the work for the students.