What is Therapeutic Riding?

Series Summary

The bond between human and horse has existed for a very long time. Often, just their calming presence does wonders for the human spirit. In today's world, where many of us are disconnected to these large animals, encounters with these majestic creatures may be hard to come by. However, there are programs out there now that allow us to explore their nurturing value. One of these programs is therapeutic horseback riding, and it has proved to help people with mental and physical disabilities. "Therapeutic riding" refers specifically to horseback riding lessons for people with special needs. These needs are incorporated into the riding lessons by licensed therapists. It is seen as another therapy tool, and there is no denying the enthusiasm and enjoyment that the experience creates.

In this video series, learn more about the therapeutic value of horseback riding. Our expert, Connie Weinsoff, offers a closer look at how these therapy sessions work. Also, hear from actual participants that have fallen in love with the program. As you learn about horse therapy, you will realize the amazing beauty that comes from these animals, participants, and volunteers. These clips truly inspire our hearts and minds.

Video Transcript

"Hi! My name is Connie and we are here at Hearts Adaptive Center in Santa Barbara, California and I am here for Expert Village. If you have a son or daughter or know someone with a physical, mental or even psychological disability, sometimes horseback riding can be really beneficial. The best way to find out is to actually ask your child's doctor or therapist if they have ever heard of horseback riding therapy. Also call HIPPA therapy. What we do here at Hearts Adaptive riding is called therapeutic riding because there is no therapists on staff actually doing therapy. It is horseback riding for people with disabilities. It teaches them skills but also they have the benefits of therapeutic riding with physical cognitive and psychological benefits. But if you know someone with a disability, look up riding. People with physical disabilities obviously they get a physical workout, they improve their muscle tone, they work on their balance and stability. People with cognitive disabilities in therapeutic riding can work on numbers, letters, do sequencing, memory. A lot of things with horseback riding there are two things you are doing at once. You are steering a horse and kicking them with your legs at the same time. It brings in a lot of cognitive functions that people don't really think about usually when they are riding. People with psychological disabilities; horseback riding and horse interaction is wonderful for people with problems with attachments, sexual abuse survivors, they make an attachment with the horse, they learn to trust, they learn respect and that translates into their real life. That is what this is all about. Horseback riding and horses helping people reach out, reaching potentials in their lives they never expected to. "