Northwest Therapeutic Equestrian Association

What is Therapeutic Riding?

Therapeutic Riding is the use of the horse and equine-oriented activities to achieve a variety of therapeutic goals, including cognitive, physical, emotional, social, educational and behavioral goals. Best of all, it is a thoroughly enjoyable experience, which creates a special relationship between participant and horse and promotes personal challenges.

What are the Benefits of Therapeutic Riding?

Horseback riding can improve balance and co-ordination, strengthen muscles, increase circulation and decrease spasticity. Motor functions may also be improved by this unique and enjoyable therapy.

Horseback riding also increases concentration and improves learning skills. Participants are challenged and are rewarded with a sense of achievement. They experience a general feeling of well-being, self-esteem and self-confidence.

The participant may also develop a strong bond of respect, trust and kinship with the horse, volunteers and fellow participants.


TEAMWORK

Every member of the team has a vital and indispensable role. Here is an introduction to the Team Members:

HORSES

The horses are at the core of any therapeutic equestrian program. As our riders come in all shapes and sizes and have a variety of disabilities, we need horses in various shapes and sizes with differing skills. However, all of our horses share one thing – a calm and gentle disposition. Our horses have been lent to us by incredibly generous horse owners and we are extremely grateful.

VOLUNTEERS

Without volunteers, there is no therapeutic equestrian program. They are an invaluable and essential part of the team. Volunteers work with the horses and participants, they work on projects such as building equipment, they organize special events, work in the office, raise money……..they keep the program going.

PARTICIPANTS

Our participants come in all shapes, sizes and ability levels. Their goals are as diverse as they are. Disabilities that commonly benefit from equestrian activities include but are not limited to:

-Cerebral Palsy
-Multiple Sclerosis
-Spina Bifida
-Muscular Dystrophy
-Developmental Delays
-Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
-ADD/ADHD
-Autism Spectrum Disorder