"RIDE TO WIN" PROGRAM
Our program for children with disabilities
THERAPEION THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER
Therapeion Therapeutic Riding Center’s "RIDE TO WIN" program is structured so that children with disabilities can enjoy horseback riding activities at the same time they are developing physical and cognitive skills along with increasing their self esteem and self confidence.
Our riders participate in such equine activities as grooming and tacking their horse to their level of ability and learning basic riding skills. Horseback riding has many well documented benefits, including:
• Improving balance and coordination• Improving posture• Strengthening muscles • Providing passive stretch for tight muscles• Increasing awareness of one’s body in space • Improving range of motion• Replicating a muscle movement pattern like that of walking• Stimulating the vestibular, nervous and circulatory systems• Refining gross and fine motor skillsIn addition to the above physical benefits, therapeutic riding activities offer emotional and cognitive benefits, such as:
• Increasing the ability to focus and stay on task• Reinforcing standards of behavior• Teaching trust through the rider/horse and rider/volunteer bonds• Teaching problem solving skills• Promoting responsibility and cooperation• Increasing self-confidence and self-discipline• Increasing self-esteem and prideAnd, therapeutic riding activities can provide all these benefits without the rider even being aware they are in therapy!
All riders with disabilities must have a form completed by their physician before participating in the program and are evaluated by a NARHA certified instructor before lessons begin. Therapeutic riding activities are not appropriate for all children with disabilities and all children must be at least four (4) years old to be considered for the program.
If you are interested in enrolling your child in our "RIDE TO WIN" program you may contact the program director at (765) 414-8066 or download the Rider Application and mail it to Therapeion.
