Therapeutic riding forms are located below the contact form – scroll to the bottom.
Therapeutic horseback riding lessons provide training in horsemanship and therapeutic horseback riding for children and adults with disabilities (physical, mental, emotional, speech, and learning) and for persons diagnosed with debilitating or life-threatening illnesses. Lessons are designed for the client’s specific needs and focus on skills and exercises to enhance the client’s quality of life.
We offer two programs:
- The Year-Round Therapeutic Riding Program (YTR) – the fee is $185/month for level 3/4 riders or $195/month for level 1/2. Riders should be evaluated prior to placement in a class ($50/rider).
- The Seasonal Therapeutic Riding Program (STR) with a financially free (work exchange) option may be offered weekly for 10 weeks in the Spring or 10 weeks in the Fall. The fee is up to $400 per 10 week semester. The requirement for this program is:
- For the financially free option – the family must volunteer a minimum of 25 hours during the riders’ 10 week lesson semester (January – June or July – December). This can include being a volunteer with your rider’s session.
- The rider can only be a level 1, 2 or 3 rider – level 4 are to be enrolled in the YTR program. The rider must be evaluated prior to enrollment at a cost of $50/rider, not covered by this work exchange.
We offer limited financial assistance through our scholarship fund. Scholarships are offered on a limited basis when funding is available. If you would like to contribute to our scholarship fund please email us.
Please click here to get on the reservation list for our therapeutic riding programs AND to get notifications for openings in our programs. Openings in the Seasonal Program AND the Year-Round Program will be filled on a first come first serve basis through responses from our email announcement of openings.
Benefits of Therapeutic Riding
Therapeutic horseback riding offers the rider many benefits. The physical benefits of riding take place as the movement of the horse is transferred to the passive body of the rider. The three-dimensional swinging gait of the horse causes the rider’s pelvis, trunk and shoulder girdle to move in ways very similar to those of the natural human walking gait. The gentle movement of the horse stimulates a natural instinct for the riders to balance themselves and maintain good posture. The riders typically go through a series of exercises on horseback that help to reduce spasticity, increase strength, coordination, flexibility and muscle control. Imagine the feeling of riding a horse for someone usually confined to a wheelchair!
Cognitively the riders develop their memory, ability to concentrate, communication skills, ability to plan and problem solve. As the rider’s skills develop their self-esteem and confidence increases and they are encouraged to set higher goals for themselves. Riders are thrilled when they realize they can maneuver their horse through obstacle courses and compete in the games, races, and activities during riding lessons. The riders experience success and a sense of accomplishment which transfers into other areas of their lives as they realize they are capable of achieving challenging new goals!
Please contact us for more information.
