Therapeutic Riding for special needs

Therapeutic riding lesson focuses on improving the rider’s emotional, physical, or mental well-being.    Therapeutic horseback riding lessons usually follow a structured format which includes stretching, skill instruction, and a game that implements the skills. Therapeutic riding often employ volunteers who help lead the horse, and/or help assist the rider by providing physical support.

In the first half of the lesson, students learn how to consciously connect with the horses and keep themselves safe on the ground. We want each student to understand and bond with the horse that they are partnered with. We teach horse behavior along with the basics of catching, leading, and saddling a horse. In the second half of the lesson, students will engage and focus on learning horseback riding skills. We work on things like holding the reins, controlling the speed of the horse, and proper position in the saddle. Each lesson includes a game or drill that reinforces the skills the students are learning.  We teach within our lesson's boundaries, awareness, and predictability.  Some of the values we teach that make up a healthy relationship are presence, respect, trust, affection, and appreciation. We believe in the importance of connecting with our horses.