Adaptive Riding & Therapy Services

Adaptive Riding, also known as therapeutic riding, focuses on increasing individual riding skills while gaining a therapeutic benefit. The goals set for each rider will vary based on the rider’s needs. Benefits may include improved physical strength, muscle tone, balance, mobility, and eye-hand coordination. Riding a horse can also help support improved self-esteem, confidence, peer interaction and social skills. These sessions are taught by a trained riding instructor in small groups of no more than 5 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.