ADAPTIVE RIDING​
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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. Many riders for the first time in their lives can experience the freedom and joy of independent movement.
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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 among the lessons learned. 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.

T.R.O.T.R. 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

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

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 AND EMOTIONAL BENEFITS

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

SOME OF THE MANY DIFFERENT CHALLENGES
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​FACING OUR CLIENTS


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.

T.R.O.T.R. offers riding sessions throughout the year. Each session is orientated towards the participant’s identified horsemanship and therapeutic goals. With the combination of safety and therapy as priority, T.R.O.T.R.’s PATH International (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) 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 T.R.O.T.R.
  • Group classes (2 to 4 riders) are 1-2 hours/week for the length of session and lead by a PATH International 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 minutes a week for the length of session lead by a PATH International certified Instructor or PATH Instructor-In-Training.
  • Private classes (1 rider) are 30 minutes a week for the length of session lead by a PATH International 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 through Saturday at varying times. Participants register to receive services for length of session.
  • Cost of session varies depending on length is a flat rate of $40.00 per week