Therapeutic riding uses horses for the purpose of providing physical, emotional, social and cognitive support to people with a disability. Although therapeutic riding has yet to be formally recognized as “therapy” in the clinical sense, the benefits of human / horse interactions are well documented and include:
- emotional and mental support in a non-judgmental and inclusive environment
- learning to recognize nonverbal communication
- enhanced social development
- increased independence, self-esteem, confidence and resiliency
- strengthening of muscles – normalization of muscle tone – mobilization of trunk and pelvis – improvement of balance and coordination
- increased attention span leading to better academic outcomes
Through controlled and assisted movements between the horse and its rider, therapeutic riding supports participants in their physical development, improving their range of motion, balance, muscle tone and strengthening under used or under developed muscles. It also addresses poor posture and improves both gross and fine motor skills for greater body awareness. As these skills improve and develop, so does the participants ability to stay on task for a longer duration of time.
An important component of horses as emotional support animals is the bond that participants establish with their equine partner, creating an environment of respect, teamwork and trust, and contributing to personal growth. Commonly, the simple act of being up close and personal with a horse, engaging all of ones available senses, opens a pathway to greater self awareness and enhanced social development.
Read testimonials from some of our participants.
Caring for our Therapy Horses
COVID-19 provincially mandated lockdowns have affected many small businesses and not for profit organizations like ours. If you are in a position to give, you can help in the following ways as we ride out these closures.
We have a credit account in place at both the Minden Mercantile & Feed, and Pet Tyme Animal Krackers, for donations of grain, bedding and farm supplies.
You can also donate an item to our online auction platform.
The “hay fund” is a wonderful movement growing in our community where people are buying bales of hay for the horses in lieu of birthday gifts. $6.75 a bale (the horses eat 4 bales a day). We love this idea!
Your support is greatly appreciated.
Walkabout Farm 