Adaptive Riding, also known as therapeutic riding, helps individuals improve their riding skills while also providing therapeutic benefits. Each rider’s goals are tailored to their specific needs, and the benefits may include improved physical strength, muscle tone, balance, mobility, and hand-eye coordination. Riding can also boost self-esteem, confidence, peer interaction, and social skills. Sessions are led by a trained instructor and are conducted in small groups of no more than five riders.
Occupational Therapy incorporating Equine Movement (Hippotherapy): Hippotherapy (from the Greek word “hippos” meaning horse) is a one-on-one therapy session with an occupational therapist using the movement of the horse as a treatment tool. Hippotherapy does not teach riding skills and, instead, focuses on improvement in functional goals for increased independence in the community, school and at home. The movement of the horse and the equine environment provide a multi-sensory experience that can be manipulated and graded by the therapist. The three-dimensional motion of the horse closely mimics human gait patterns and provides repetitive, rhythmic sensorimotor input at an incredible rate of 3000 repetitions per 30-minute session. This intensity of input cannot be matched by traditional therapy tools! This service is for those with higher needs or our younger students who are not yet ready for a group riding program.
