Specialized Services
Therapeutic Riding

Autism

 

Therapeutic horseback riding has been shown to have a positive impact on children with autism The rhythmic motion of the horse can help improve balance, coordination, and muscle tone. Additionally, interacting with the horse can help children develop social skills and enhance their emotional well-being. Studies have shown that therapeutic horseback riding can improve communication, behavior, and overall quality of life for children with autism.

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Veterans and Military Personal

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PHYSICAL -  Veterans with mobility impairments, including spinal cord injuries and amputations, and physiological dysregulation may benefit from the horse’s simulated gait, which improves balance, posture, core strength, flexibility, and confidence.

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SOCIAL -  The equine environment provides a safe space for veterans to share triumphs and challenges. Veterans often report feeling a loss of community after leaving the service, so the opportunity to bond with fellow veterans, staff, and volunteers, as well as the horses, breaks patterns of isolation and disconnection associated with trauma.

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COGNITIVE - The Order and direction required while learning proper horsemanship are familiar skills to veterans and military personnel. Focus, organization, reasoning, and attention are applied during sessions.

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EMOTIONAL -  Bonding with a large animal can be emotionally satisfying and comforting. Therapeutic riding allows veterans to learn and practice emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and resilience. These new skills can increase self-confidence and self-worth, resulting in hope and healing.

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Children in Foster Care

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Equine therapy offers a wide range of benefits for children in foster care, addressing the unique emotional, psychological, and behavioral challenges they face. By fostering trust, emotional regulation, self-esteem, and social skills, equine therapy can play a key role in helping these children heal and thrive.

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Human Trafficking 

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For a person who has experienced sex trafficking, equine therapy can offer significant benefits like building trust, improving self-esteem, developing coping mechanisms, learning healthy boundaries, gaining a sense of control, and fostering a sense of community through connection with the horse and other survivors, all while providing a safe space to process trauma and emotions in a non-judgmental environment.

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​ReEntry from Incarceration

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1. Building Trust and Emotional Connection

• Many individuals who have been incarcerated struggle with trust issues and may have difficulty forming healthy relationships. Working with horses, which are highly sensitive to emotions and nonverbal cues, encourages participants to build trust, patience, and emotional awareness.

2. Reducing Anxiety and Stress

• The calming nature of interacting with horses can help reduce anxiety and stress, which are common feelings for those reentering society. Horses offer a non-judgmental space, allowing individuals to feel more grounded and relaxed, which can support mental health during a stressful transition.

3. Improving Self-Esteem and Confidence

• Successfully interacting with and caring for a horse can increase a person’s self-esteem and confidence. This boost can be particularly valuable for someone who may have felt powerless or devalued during incarceration.

4. Developing Communication and Social Skills

• Equine therapy requires clear and effective communication, both with the horse and with others involved in the therapy process. This helps individuals improve their verbal and non-verbal communication skills, which are crucial for successful reentry into society and relationships.

5. Encouraging Responsibility and Accountability

• Caring for a horse requires responsibility, consistency, and accountability, skills that are transferable to other areas of life. This can help individuals regain a sense of control and purpose, aiding their reintegration into the community.

6. Processing Trauma and Emotional Healing

• For many formerly incarcerated individuals, unresolved trauma and emotional wounds can hinder their reentry process. Equine therapy provides a safe environment where they can work through their emotions, enabling healing and personal growth.

7. Enhancing Problem-Solving and Coping Skills

• The activities involved in equine therapy often require creative problem-solving and adaptability, helping participants improve these skills. This is particularly beneficial when facing the challenges of reentry, such as finding employment or navigating societal expectations.

8. Promoting Empathy and Connection

• Forming a bond with a horse encourages empathy, which can help individuals reconnect with their own emotions and the feelings of others. This emotional connection can translate into more positive interactions with people as they reintegrate into society.

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