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Therapeutic Riding

Therapeutic Riding Lessons

Therapeutic riding utilizes horses to enhance physical, cognitive, emotional, behavioral, educational, and social well-being of people with disabilities to help meet their goals and develop skills they can use in their everyday lives. Because the movement of a horse mimics a movement similar to a human gait, riders with physical disabilities often show improvement in flexibility, balance, and muscle strength. Therapeutic riding also provides benefits in the areas of health, education, sport/recreation, and leisure.

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Therapeutic riding lessons are taught by a PATH Certified Instructor with a strong equine background, as well as an understanding of various disabilities. A new rider is generally assisted by a horse leader, as well as one or two sidewalkers who walk alongside the horse to aid the rider if needed.

Who is PATH Intl.?

PATH stands for Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International. Certain requirements must be met in order to become and instructor and yearly educational credits are required. To learn more about PATH please click here.

Benefits of Therapeutic Riding:

  • Promotes Strength

  • Increases Flexibility

  • Develops Balance

  • Improves Coordination

  • Helps Breathing

  • Improves Coping Skills

  • Builds Self-Confidence

  • Improves Social Skills

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Common diagnoses include (but are not limited to):

  • ADD/ADHD

  • Autism Spectrum Disorders

  • Cerebral Palsy

  • Developmental Delay

  • Down Syndrome

  • Emotional Disorders

  • Fine/Gross Motor Skills

  • Learning Disabilities

  • Multiple Sclerosis

  • Muscular Dystrophy

  • Sensory Integration

  • Spina Bifida

  • Spinal Cord Injuries

  • Visual Impairment

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