Therapeutic horseback riding is a unique combination of sport, recreation, and education. There are many benefits to therapeutic riding for individuals with physical, cognitive or psychological disabilities. Therapeutic riding focuses on forming a partnership with the horse. Students gain confidence by mastering riding skills. Sitting astride a horse increases balance and coordination, strengthens muscles, and brings about body awareness.
The horse's three-dimensional swinging gait closely emulates that of the human gait and allows the brain and body to practice correct walking movement patterns. The rhythmic movement and the warmth generated from the horse's body soothes and relaxes tight or painful muscles, joints, and tendons while building strength and flexibility.
Most importantly, therapeutic riding is FUN! Riders make new friends and social interactions are developed between the horse, instructors, volunteers, and other students.
Riding Instructors need to have an understanding of a wide range of disabilities as well as horse and riding skills and safety for all involved. They are very talented and skilled individuals!! And so my small contribution to this program helps the instructors. Tool belts hold all the small items and notes to help the lesson run smoothly. Specially sewing games or aids were also made for the riding arena environment. And for the horse care people repairs to horse blankets and fly masks with IDs help their jobs go more smoothly!
Go here for more info on riding therapy in my area, Horse Sense for Special Riders www.hssr.org/ . PATH International is the parent organization of HSSR www.pathintl.org/
The horse's three-dimensional swinging gait closely emulates that of the human gait and allows the brain and body to practice correct walking movement patterns. The rhythmic movement and the warmth generated from the horse's body soothes and relaxes tight or painful muscles, joints, and tendons while building strength and flexibility.
Most importantly, therapeutic riding is FUN! Riders make new friends and social interactions are developed between the horse, instructors, volunteers, and other students.
Riding Instructors need to have an understanding of a wide range of disabilities as well as horse and riding skills and safety for all involved. They are very talented and skilled individuals!! And so my small contribution to this program helps the instructors. Tool belts hold all the small items and notes to help the lesson run smoothly. Specially sewing games or aids were also made for the riding arena environment. And for the horse care people repairs to horse blankets and fly masks with IDs help their jobs go more smoothly!
Go here for more info on riding therapy in my area, Horse Sense for Special Riders www.hssr.org/ . PATH International is the parent organization of HSSR www.pathintl.org/
Removable velcro names on a fabric poster that can be hung on the arena wall.  |    This was created for a blind rider to help show where he was in the arena by touching the different shapes. The blue circles represent barrels in the area. The red where poles on the ground and the black pyramids represent poles in the arena. And the black horse head represents the rider and his location in the arena. All the pieces are velcroed and can be moved around. It ties to the front of the saddle. It also has other pockets to hold other aids. |
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