Therapeutic horseback riding is provided for children and adults with special needs. The therapeutic riding instructor creates a lesson plan for each student rider with input from teachers and medical professionals. The plan includes grooming, riding therapy, exercises and games.
All students wear safety helmets, and a special mounting platform is provided.
Student riders are accompanied by three specially trained volunteers at first. One leads the horse, and the other two walk on either side until the rider has sufficient balance and confidence to ride alone. Research shows that students who participate in therapeutic riding can experience physical, emotional and mental rewards. For individuals with impaired mobility, horseback riding gently and rhythmically moves their bodies in a manner similar to a human walking gait. These riders can experience increased balance, muscle control and strength.