Programs
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At REACH Therapeutic Riding Center we offer two programs using equine assisted therapeutic horseback riding to help those with physical, mental or emotional challenges:
Therapeutic Riding is geared to meet specific riding and/or social objectives. The primary focus of therapeutic riding is to teach riding skills that build toward independent riding.
Hippotherapy, performed by licensed therapists, employs the movement of the horse as a tool to improve posture, balance, and movement, as well as fine and gross motor responses.
At REACH Therapeutic Riding Center we have combined a dynamic core of equine professionals, volunteers and horses to provide unique opportunities. Some disabilities which may benefit from therapeutic riding or hippotherapy include:
Autism • Muscular dystrophy • Down syndrome
Multiple sclerosis • Cerebral palsy • Fragile X syndrome
Visual and hearing impairment • Learning and emotional disabilities
Physical benefits include:
• Improve balance and posture
• Strengthen weak muscles
• Slow down muscle degeneration
• Relax tight muscles
• Improve fine and gross motor skills
• Improve hand-eye coordination
Mental and emotional benefits include:
• Social interaction
• Coordination and cooperation
• Structure and routine
• Motivation and self-esteem
• Channel anxious behavior
• Sense of success
• Sequencing and planning
• Increase attention span and self-confidence
• Physical and mental exercise
If you have a loved one, or know someone, who may benefit from therapeutic riding or hippotherapy, please contact Larry Barnett, our Executive Director, at 254-848-7888 or 254-715-2054, or email REACHtrc@earthlink.net.
Or, to apply to be part of our program, download the following New Rider Packet.
TR_New_Rider_Pkt_-_Fall_2010.doc