Heroes on Horseback

Therapeutic Horseback Riding

Therapeutic riding sessions are conducted according to each veteran’s abilities, needs, and rate of progress. Sessions utilize specially trained horses, volunteers, instructors, and adaptive equipment to encourage particip0ants to be as independent as possible. The sessions can include grooming and tacking, playing games with horse on the round and on horseback, formal riding instruction, exercises, and sensory trail rides.

Therapeutic Riding facilitates improvement in muscular strength coordination, balance, stamina, though processes, self-confidence, attention, and social interaction. The horse’s walk provides sensory input through movement, which is variable, rhythmic and repetitive. The resultant movement responses in the veteran are similar to human movement patterns of the pelvis while walking.

Equine Assisted Therapy

Equine Assisted Therapy/Self Exploration is best described by what it is not. It is not riding, nor is it horsemanship. It is a pathway to self discovery, utilizing equine assistance in tandem with a trained counselor and horse specialist implanting specifically designed activities that create an atmosphere for learning, recognizing coping strategies, relationship building and repair, and team building. The emphasis here is on education and psycho-social development resulting in educational, behavioral, social, and emotional growth.