Therapeutic Adaptive Riding Lessons
From a child with Down syndrome, to an adult with a spinal cord injury, to a teenager with autism, therapeutic horsemanship has increasingly been shown to provide numerous physical, emotional and mental rewards. It is the goal of Shadow Hills Riding Club to have a positive impact on every client’s personal life by enhancing their physical well-being, cognitive abilities and communication skills, all the while building self-esteem and confidence.
All sessions are taught by a PATH International Certified Therapeutic instructor.
The amount of benefit gained through therapeutic riding differs from person to person based on many factors such as the type of disability, severity of disability, motivation of the rider and connection between horse and rider. Unlike exercise machines that only focus on one muscle group at a time and do not use natural body movements, riding forces the rider to make use of the entire body to steer, control, adjust the horse and maintain balance. Because horses require not only physical skill but also cognitive skill for achievement, riding reveals the strengths and weaknesses of the rider. While most traditional therapeutic techniques often reach a plateau where the patient may lose motivation, the pleasure and excitement of riding acts to encourage patients to work through the pain and discomfort. The act of accomplishing something many able-bodied people are afraid to try is a benefit to those with disabilities in itself.
How to
Begin
All clients who wish to be a part of our Therapeutic Riding program must complete an in-person assessment of their needs and riding abilities. Prior to making an introductory assessment appointment with Johnny Higginson (our Program Director) please fill out the SHRC Rider Packet. A $150.00 assessment fee is required at the time of assessment. Assessment appointments are available seven days a week.
SHRC offers individual lessons for Therapeutic Riding.
Private lessons are scheduled individually with the instructor. Online payments need to be paid prior to the scheduled lesson time. Make checks payable to Shadow Hills Riding Club. Lesson cancellation for any reason requires at least 24 hour notice. Any lessons cancelled within 24 hours of their scheduled time must still be paid.
To schedule your assessment email info@shadowhillsridingclub.org