Benefits of Equine Activities:

In therapeutic riding, the horse is used as a tool to improve the mental and physical well-being of the participant. Therapeutic riding is recognized by the American Occupational Therapy Association and the American Physical Therapy Association. The benefits are available to individuals with just about any disability, including but not limited to:

• Muscular Dystrophy

• Visual/Hearing Impairments

• Mental Retardation

• Multiple Sclerosis

• Emotional Disability

• Spinal Cord Injuries

• Stroke

• Cerebral Palsy

• Down Syndrome

• Autism

• Spinal Bifida

• Brain Injuries

• Amputations

• Learning Disabilities

Physical Benefits: Horseback riding gently and rhythmically moves the body (pelvis and trunk more specifically) and internal organs in a manner similar to that of the human walking gait. Students develop and strengthen muscles by working specific muscle groups that are not worked in everyday life. For example, horseback riding helps normalize muscle tone, improve posture and build up the cardiovascular system.

Psychological Benefits: Exercise in the fresh air, away from hospitals, doctor’s offices, therapy rooms or home help is a refreshing change for the riders. Confidence is gained by mastering a skill normally performed by able-bodied riders. The ability to control an animal much larger and stronger than oneself is a great confidence builder.

Riding increases interest in what is happening around the rider, as the rider explores the world from the back of a horse. The excitement of riding and experiences involved stimulate riders and encourage the riders to speak and communicate about it.

The riders start to learn that an “out of control” rider means an “out of control” horse. Shouting, crying, and emotional outbursts upset the horse which in turn frightens the horse.  Riders are highly motivated, therefore, to learn how to control their emotions and how to appropriately express them.