About Therapeutic Riding

People who seldom smile...laugh out loud.
People who don't talk...communicate with their horses.
People who are anti-social...bond with the volunteers.
People who can't walk...leave their wheelchairs behind.
People who are bored with conventional therapy...can't wait to work hard.

Therapeutic riding is a growing and widely accepted treatment for rehabilitating a range of physical, mental, and emotional disabilities. Conditions served include: cerebral palsy, spina bifida, neuromuscular disorders, post-traumatic brain injury, autism, ADHD, and cognitive disorders. Riders experience increased self-confidence and improvement in strength, balance, coordination, attention span, language and social skills. 

History of Therapeutic Riding

References to the physical and emotional benefits of horseback riding date back to writings in the 1600's. However, when Liz Hartel of Denmark won the silver medal for dressage at the 1952 Helsinki Olympic Games - despite having paralysis from polio - medical and equine professionals took active notice. It wasn't long before therapeutic riding was being used for rehabilitation in England and then in North America. The first centers for therapeutic riding in North America began operation in the 1960's.

About NARHA

NARHA, North American Riding for the Handicapped Association, was founded in 1969 to promote and support therapeutic riding in the U.S. and Canada, and consisted of four member centers during it's founding year. Today, more than 600 NARHA-affiliated centers help over 30,000 individuals with disabilities find a sense of independence through horseback riding. These centers range from small, one-person programs to large operations with several instructors and therapists. In addition to therapeutic riding, a center may offer any number of equine activities such as driving, vaulting, trail riding, competition or stable management. NARHA assists riding centers in several ways for the benefit of individuals with disabilities. NARHA provides program accreditation to ensure the highest safety standards for centers, instructor certification, which brings knowledge of disabilities and of horses to best serve riders' needs, and low cost liability insurance for NARHA riding centers. 

Who can ride?

Individuals of all ages, with a wide range of physical, psychological, academic, social, cognitive and/or emotional disabilities and youth at risk benefit from therapeutic horseback riding and other equine activities. Before participating, individuals need to consult with their physicians. NARHA riding centers require each prospective rider to present a complete medical history and a signed physician's statement prior to a therapeutic riding session.

Benefits of Therapeutic Riding

The benefits of therapeutic horseback riding are as numerous as the types of disabilities and conditions served. Research shows that students who participate in therapeutic riding can experience physical, emotional and mental rewards. Because horseback riding gently and rhythmically moves the rider's body in a manner similar to human gait, riders with physical disabilities often show improvement in flexibility, balance and coordination, muscle strength, and range of motion.  For individuals with mental or emotional disabilities, the unique relationship formed with the horse can lead to increased confidence, patience, self-esteem, awareness and mobility, anticipatory response, body localization, spatial organization and socialization skills. The sense of independence found on horseback benefits all who ride. The therapeutic qualities of horseback riding are recognized by many medical professionals, including the American Physical Therapy Association and the American Occupational Therapy Association.