What is Therapeutic Riding?

Therapeutic riding uses the movement of the horse and related activities to contribute to the cognitive, physical, emotional, and social well-being of individuals with disabilities. Therapeutic riding provides a fun and challenging way for individuals to overcome their obstacles.

For riders with physical limitations the warmth and movement of the horse can encourage stretching and strengthening of their muscles. The movement the horse produces when walking is similar to the movement a human makes as they walk. Because of these similarities, riders that cannot walk independently can strengthen the muscles needed for them to take their first step, all while seated on the back of a horse.

Riders working on fine motor skills can also benefit from the hand-eye coordination activities completed during therapeutic riding sessions. Many of these activities are specifically designed to improve the rider’s range of motion in their hands and fingers as well as help to develop their visual perceptual skills.

Riders that are working on their communication skills often vocalize more during a riding session than at other times during their day. The motion of the horse combined with the motivation of being on the horse has helped some individuals find their voice. Others may not be “heard” but understood as they are encouraged to make choices by pointing to an item, choosing from a line of picture cards, or signing.

Therapeutic riding has also been used by riders to improve their sensory integration skills. The natural rhythm the horse provides as each hoof strikes the ground helps riders to develop their own internal rhythm, sense of balance, body awareness, and coordination. The movement of the horse often calms the rider and helps them increase their attention span to participate in activities they otherwise could not have focused on completing.

Regardless of the rider’s challenges helping them to develop a healthy self-esteem is a VERY important part of the programs at EquiSpirit Riding Academy, Inc. Through the skills learned during their therapy sessions it is the hope of our instructors that each and every rider gains more self-confidence, self-control, patience, and trust in themselves and those around them. It is hoped that every rider forms a special bond with their horse, their instructors, and their volunteers.