What is Therapeutic Riding

At InStride, therapeutic riding (hippotherapy) and other equestrian activities benefit the bodies, minds and spirits of people with disabilities. A horse's movement closely resembles the normal gait of a human and can be used to produce specific physical changes in the rider, including normalization of muscle tone, postural and balance improvements and increased strength.

The horse's movement can also help mitigate sensory integration issues. A smooth-gaited, consistently paced horse can provide the input needed to help a rider establish rhythm. A rough-gaited horse may provide the stimulation needed to help organize and integrate sensory input. Movement exploration while on the horse can help improve overall body awareness.

Emotionally, the success of overcoming fear and anxiety can increase a rider's self-esteem. Learning a riding skill will also have a positive effect on a rider’s self-confidence. For some of the young people involved in various activities at InStride, the farm and barn environment, the companionship and bonding with animals, and the development of new skills are all components in a successful experience. The relationships that develop between riders, volunteers, horses and staff are all integral to a positive emotional experience at InStride.

Cognitively, the horse provides many of our riders with the motivation to learn new things. Educational goals such as letter recognition and sequencing can be incorporated into riding activities. Socially, therapeutic riding activities enable individuals to interact with their peers in a group activity. Riding and the related activities are fun as well as challenging.

Through the development of an individual riding plan specific to each rider's needs, the staff at InStride can develop individualized goals and objectives. We invite and encourage our riders (and their parents, guardians, teachers and therapists) to participate actively in this process, and our staff is readily available for consultation.