Sport Riding lessons focus on individual riding skills while providing many benefits such as increased strength, coordination, balance, and muscle tone. Riding also improves self-esteem and communication while, fostering social interaction and the development of a sense of control. Students groom and tack their horses with the help of volunteers, then participate in ground and mounted activities tailored to their individual needs. All people, including those with physical, mental, psychological impairments, or special needs can participate in sports activities--adapted as needed-with the horse.
Driving and In-Hand Using a horse and carriage or working with horses in-hand gives participants an alternative or an addition to riding, opening up the world of horses for everyone especially those who may be unable to ride due to weight, balance, fatigue, fear of heights, the inability to sit astride, or other issues. Driving and in-hand classes offer all individuals, including those with physical, mental, sensory, or emotional conditions, the rewards of interaction and control of a horse or pony from a carriage seat or in their own wheelchair.
Vaulting
Vaulting is a combination of dance and gymnastics on horseback. A specially trained horse works in a circle on a longe line while students perform com- pulsory and freestyle moves. Vaulters benefit from developing teamwork skills, body awareness, coordination, concentration, perceptual learning, increased confidence, and cognitive control.
Hippotherapy
Hippotherapy promotes the use of the movement of the horse as a treatment strategy in physical, occupational and speech-language therapy sessions for people living with disabilities. Hippotherapy has been shown to improve muscle tone, balance, posture, coordination, motor development in the Physical Therapy realm speech/language development in the Speech Pathology realm and life-skill acquisition in the Occupational Therapy realm. A side benefit is often an increase in emotional well-being in those participating in Hippotherapy sessions. Sessions are currently offered by arrangement with our Hippotherapy provider Emily Brink, PT and are tailored to meet the needs and goals of the individual participant.
Using a horse and carriage or working with horses in-hand gives participants an alternative or an addition to riding, opening up the world of horses for everyone especially those who may be unable to ride due to weight, balance, fatigue, fear of heights, the inability to sit astride, or other issues. Driving and in-hand classes offer all individuals, including those with physical, mental, sensory, or emotional conditions, the rewards of interaction and control of a horse or pony from a carriage seat or in their own wheelchair. 