Therapy and Adaptive
Riding Details
Hippotherapy Experiences
Hippotherapy refers to how occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech-language pathologists use evidence-based practice in the purposeful manipulation of equine movement as a therapy tool to engage sensory, neuromotor, and cognitive systems to promote functional outcomes.
Best practice dictates that the American Hippotherapy Association trained therapist integrate hippotherapy into the clients plan of care along with other therapy tools and/or strategies.
Adaptive
Riding
Adaptive Riding is taught by PATH Certified Riding Instructors specialized to teach riding lessons to clients with disabilities.
The instructors will adapt their teaching style, the environment, and/or equipment to facilitate acquisition of riding skills and participation in an enjoyable recreational activity.
Horsemanship Experiences
Horsemanship experiences are dependent on the individual and may include riding a horse with staff assistance, or it may include interacting with a horse in other ways including petting, feeding, or grooming.
Horsemanship experiences are available through our summer camp program. If you are interested in a horsemanship experience look for the horseshoe icon in the Summer Camp Catalog.
Additional Treatments
Additional treatments include:
- Craniosacral therapy
- Myofascial Massage
- Range of Motion Exercises
- Home Programs
Our licensed occupational therapists provide skilled therapeutic intervention during the entire therapy session.
How to Get Started
Contact
Us!
Schedule Initial Consultation
Once you’ve submitted an application, and we determine our Therapy and Adaptive Riding program is a good fit, we will invite you out to the arena for an initial consultation.
Determine
Goals
During the initial consultation staff will complete an assessment with the participant, and establish goals to determine a plan of care.
Services
Begin
Once your consultation is complete and your application has been approved, you will be added to the schedule, and services will begin.
Service Treatments & Benefits
- Midline orientation
- Shoulder/hip stabilization
- Head/trunk control
- Bilateral coordination
- Dissociation of head from trunk or arms from trunk
- Changing tone/spasticity
- Respiratory function
- Develop functional gait
- Sensory integration dysfunction
- Develop functional speech/language skills
- Oral motor function
- Improve multi-system processing
- Affect all body systems
- Increases attention span
- Positive effects of human-animal bonding
Meet the Horses
Cree
Cree is a beautiful paint mare with a sweet disposition. Previously owned by a loving family, Cree has picked up the duties of her new job in no time. She is a wonderful addition to the herd.
Breed: Paint
Gender: Mare
Color: Brown Tobiano
Height: 15.3 hh
Born: 2000
Adagio
Adagio is a former eventing and dressage horse. Adagio loves his work and especially enjoys it when riding staff back rides with a client to practice cantering and trotting. As the leader of the herd, he offers a reliable step up for those who have mastered finding their best position and are ready for more advanced riding. Adagio’s big soft movements also allow the rider to experience safe trotting and cantering during back riding.
Breed: Oldenberg
Gender: Gelding
Color: Bay
Height: 16.2 hh
Born: 2003
Lady
Lady is a sweet girl who has been a therapy horse for over 10 years! Lady is a very sweet and loving mare; her kind and caring personality takes away all of life’s stresses. Her quiet demeanor is great for beginning riders and her smooth western pleasure trot allows her riders to easily learn to post and maintain jump position.
Breed: Quarter Horse/Arabian Cross
Gender: Mare
Color: Chestnut
Height: 14 hh
Born: 1989
Kal
Kal is a sturdy Quarter horse who was in training as a barrel horse before becoming a therapy horse. Kal’s favorite pastime is laying in freshly cleaned stalls and recouping for his next rider. He is very intuitive to his riders when learning new skills. He is great for first time riders and is always working for that apple.
Breed: Quarter Horse
Gender: Gelding
Color: Palomino
Height: 15 hh
Born: 2003
Star
Star has been a camp horse for several years. She is an “easy keeper” and has a mellow disposition. Star loves to please whether it is running barrels, trotting on the lunge line, or simply walking the trails. She is always ready to work and is a veteran of the field our longest standing barn resident to date.
Breed: Quarter Horse Cross
Gender: Mare
Color: Pinto
Height: 14.2 hh
Born: 2001
Tuff
Tuff is a Registered Paint Horse. He joined our herd in the Spring of 2021, and is already a favorite of many of his riders. He is an absolute sweetheart with a "let's do it" personality. His favorite part of the job so far? Western day during Camp!
Breed: Paint
Gender: Gelding
Color: Bay
Height: 15.2 hands
Born: 2000
Jake
Jake is a Haflinger, which means while he may not be the biggest horse in the herd, he is one of the strongest. He also sports the most mane and tail out of all the horses, so you'll often see him all fancied up with a variety of different braids!
Breed: Haflinger
Gender: Gelding
Color: Flaxen Chestnut
Height: 14.3 hands
Born: 2000
Joey
Joey is a Hackney/Paint Pony cross who has brought nothing but energy to the herd! His energy and curiosity make him a great lesson pony, and is an overall fun personality to have around the barn.
Breed: Hackney/Paint Pony Cross
Gender: Gelding
Color: Tri-Color Paint
Height: 14 hands
Born: 2009
Chief
Chief is the youngest member of our horse family, he's learning a lot and very eager to please. His favorite activity is putting everything he can into his mouth. You can often find him hanging out at the gate, waiting for some cuddles and attention!
Breed: Grade
Gender: Gelding
Color: Black and White Pinto
Height: 15.3 hands
Born: 2014
Splash
Splash is a Registered Paint Horse, who was originally trained for reigning and is the daughter of Smart Chic Olena. Her registered name is "A Splash of Olena." She has been a mother of many, so offers a patient and calm disposition.
Breed: Paint
Gender: Mare
Color: Chestnut Overo
Height: 15.1 hands
Born: 1999
Cricket
Cricket is a Tennessee Walking Horse. With her kind and gentle personality, and beautiful wavy mane and tail, Cricket is easily a fan favorite among staff and riders. She also has a special talent, which she will show you for a treat!
Breed: Tennessee Walking Horse
Gender: Mare
Color: Chestnut
Height: 15 hands
Born: 1996
Norbert
A heartbreaker with his caramel-swirl eyes and highlighted mane and tail, Norbert is loved by many- horses and people alike! With over a decade of trail riding experience, Norbert provides his riders with a smooth and sure-footed mount.
Breed: Grade
Gender: Gelding
Color: Coat of Many Colors (depends on the season!)
Height: 15.1 hands
Born: 1999
Want to know more about Therapy and Adaptive Riding?
Trot on over to our contact us and we will be happy to help.