The Therapeutic Riding Program

The Therapeutic Riding Program illustrates the meaning of the Center’s motto, “People helping animals and animals helping people.”  Our program is dedicated to improving our clients’ quality of life; cognitively, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  Experienced staff members develop riding courses to suit individuals’ needs in conjunction with physicians, physical therapists, and special education teachers.  Through a non-judgmental teacher and horse, people learn acceptance, trust, respect, love, and personal development.  Our program is accredited with the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) International. 

Research has shown that the rhythm and symmetry of a horse's movement are perfect tools for improving a rider's posture, balance, verbal communication, and muscle control. The riding also improves concentration, memory, and sequential thought processing, and even helps emotionally disabled riders articulate their feelings.

Therapeutic riding offers benefits distinct from more traditional therapies. Riders feel a freedom of movement and mobility that they may never have experienced before, particularly if they have been using a wheelchair for many years. Improvements often are rapid because the riders are having fun-hardly noticing that they are performing repetitive therapy exercises. 

Students, ages 4 and over, ride specially trained horses in weekly sessions to enhance balance, muscle development and learning skills, such as hand-eye coordination, concentration and short-term memory.  More importantly, we stress having fun in a safe and rewarding environment.  Our instructors work with each individual to create attainable yet challenging goals centered on horseback riding skills.  Weekly riding lessons teach the skills of riding and horsemanship and are prepared with the individual’s safety in mind, emphasizing physical, social and psychological development.  Currently we have over 55 students participating in the program.