Why Horses?
Equine Assisted activities
Equine assisted activities, also known as therapeutic riding, include riding, care of the horses, ground work, and communication with the horses. These activities can promote well-being and growth for people with a variety of physical, cognitive, and mental health challenges.
For riders of all ages and backgrounds, working with the horses is an engaging activity that provides motivation to work toward goals. Even as participants work to learn new skills in riding and working with the horses, they also often experience progression toward other goals beyond the farm. Our instructors work to adapt the riding space, including horse selection, equipment, and volunteer support, so that riding lessons are accessible.
How horses help people
Participants in equine assisted activities report seeing improvements in many areas of their life including:
Physical - The unique movement of the horse provides a whole body physical activity which can help riders to build core strength, balance, coordination, posture, flexibility, range of motion, hand eye coordination, as well as reduce spasticity and improve reflexes.
Mental Health - By bonding and connecting with the horse, riders report developing relationship skills that become a bridge to being able to engage with other people. Riders can experience empathy, caring, sharing, bonding, confidence, independence, patience, awareness of boundaries, and improved self-control, and self-esteem.
Cognitive - As participants ride and work with the horses on the ground they can experience an increase in body awareness, spatial awareness, gross and fine motor skills, task sequencing, listening skills, risk assessment, judgement, reasoning, cause and effect, and more.
Social & Educational - Interacting with our team of instructors, volunteers and horses offer the chance for participants to engage in a group dynamic, build leadership skills, and learn about caring for an animal. Riders can develop attention span, cooperation, conflict resolution, and respect for self and others.
Fun! - The joy of horses leads to motivation, a new recreational activity, a lifelong skill and important friendships.
Learn more at PATH International (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International).
