ADAPTIVE RIDING
Adaptive Riding involves a certified instructor, with trained volunteers, assisting riders to achieve therapeutic and other life goals, acquire horsemanship skills, and establish a special bond with their horse. It is the horse’s three-dimensional stride which makes Therapeutic Riding such an effective therapeutic tool. The horse’s movement simulates a normal human gait. This in turn stimulates the rider physically and cognitively toward reaching therapeutic goals. This gentle rhythmic movement helps improve balance, muscle control and tone, motor development and coordination, posture, strength and overall body awareness. And riders, many for the first time in their lives, can experience the freedom and joy of independent movement.
The relationship that can occur between a rider and their horse can help a rider overcome debilitating fears. As a rider learns that they can have control of a horse, they can begin to learn that they can take control of themselves as well. Trust, impulse control, self-confidence, relationship building and natural consequences are all among the lessons learned. Further, the opportunity to give verbal commands to the horse has allowed many of our riders to greatly improve their verbal skills, and has even led to some of our riders speaking for the first time.
TROTR combines recreational horseback riding instruction with concepts of physical therapy, occupational therapy and social/emotional therapies to improve the riders in the following areas:
The relationship that can occur between a rider and their horse can help a rider overcome debilitating fears. As a rider learns that they can have control of a horse, they can begin to learn that they can take control of themselves as well. Trust, impulse control, self-confidence, relationship building and natural consequences are all among the lessons learned. Further, the opportunity to give verbal commands to the horse has allowed many of our riders to greatly improve their verbal skills, and has even led to some of our riders speaking for the first time.
TROTR combines recreational horseback riding instruction with concepts of physical therapy, occupational therapy and social/emotional therapies to improve the riders in the following areas:
PHYSICAL BENEFITS
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Improved balance Posture & coordination (fine and gross motor skills) Faster reflexes Improved motor planning Stretching of tight or spastic muscles Decreased spasticity, increased range of motion Reduction of abnormal movement patterns |
Improved respiration and circulation Improved appetite and digestion Provides sensory integration Normalization of muscle tone Increased strength & stamina Endurance and relaxation |
MENTAL IMPROVEMENTS
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Strengthens auditory short term memory
Improves visual memory Sequencing, patterning and motor-planning Improves math and reading skills |
Problem solving
Spatial relationships Strengthens ability to follow directions Improved eye-hand coordination |
SOCIAL / EMOTIONAL BENEFITS
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Provides general sense of well-being
Improved self confidence Increased interest in outside world and interest in one's own life Develops patience Emotional control and self-discipline Provides sense of normality |
Improves communication skills
Develops courage and a willingness to take risks Social relationships improve Breaks down barriers Teaches kindness Develops a respect and love for animals |
Our clients are children and adults facing many different challenges. Among them:
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Cerebral Palsy (CP) Down Syndrome Developmentally Delayed Autism Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Visual and Hearing Impaired |
Learning Disabled ADD / ADHD Brain / Spinal Cord Injury Mentally and Emotionally Impaired Muscular Dystrophy (MD) |
If you are interested in learning more about our program, please contact us.
We currently run our adaptive riding program on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. If you want to see our program in action, please let us know and we can set up a time for you to come visit our facility.
TROTR offers riding sessions throughout the year. Each session is orientated towards the participants identified horsemanship and therapeutic goals. With the combination of safety and therapy as priority, TROTR's PATH Intl., certified instructors, specially trained horses and caring volunteers provide a team second to none in assisting riders to experience accomplishments, interact socially, and learn new skills in an enriching environment.
ADAPTIVE RIDING AT TROTR
- Group classes (2 to 4 riders) are 1-2 hours/week for length of session and lead by a PATH Intl. certified Instructor or PATH Instructor-In-Training. Group classes are organized according to age, amount of assistance required and level of riding skill.
- Semi-Private classes (2 riders) are 45 mins/week for length of session lead by a PATH Intl. certified Instructor or PATH Instructor-In-Training. .
- Private classes (1 rider) are 30 mins/week for length of session lead by a PATH Intl. certified Instructor or PATH Instructor-In-Training. .
- Services are offered year round operating on a session-to-session basis (generally four sessions of services a year). Sessions can vary in length from 5 to 14 weeks, depending on the time of year. Classes are held Monday – Saturday with varying times. Participants register to receive services for length of session.
- Cost of session varies depending on length of session. Cost is a flat rate of $40/week.
