The goal of InStride is to improve the physical and/or neurological status of individuals with physical and mental disabilities through Hippotherapy.
The reason this therapy is so important is the movement of our specially trained therapy horses. The horse's pelvis is built similarly to the human pelvis, and as the horse walks it produces movement throughout the rider as if they were walking. For many of our riders, this is the first time ever to experience such "normal movement".
Riders with cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, autism, traumatic brain injury and learning disabilities have all benefited from participation in the InStride therapeutic riding program. We currently serve over 100 children and adults with disabilities from Sarasota, Manatee, and Charlotte counties.
Our Hippotherapy program is offered through the Sarasota County School System, Healthsouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Sarasota, Special Olympics Summer Camp, private client, Camp Hippo, and in after school programs at our temporary "home" site in Sarasota County. Our riders range in age from two to eight-three years of age.
As our riders differ in age, so too do they differ in their economic situation. InStride is committed to allowing everyone who would benefit from this special therapy having the opportunity regardless of their personal financial situation. Our "Scholarship" program has been established to help individuals who would greatly benefit from this therapy but who do not qualify for insurance reimbursements and cannot afford the out of pocket expenses.