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THERAPEUTIC RIDING
While horseback riding, the human body moves in a manner similar to the way it moves while walking. Because of this similarity, a horse is carefully chosen for each individual rider based on the horse’s stride, girth, and demeanor. Because the horse moves in six directions, forward and back ward, side to side, and up and down, the rider is forced to react to the horse’s every movement. This complicated but rhythmic motion encourages better balance, flexibility, and muscular strength and control.
Horseback riding also offers many psychological benefits. Mastering the commands and controlling the horse give the rider a wonderful sense of accomplishment as well as greater self-confidence, self-esteem, and a sense of independence. Horseback riding requires and thus promotes the development of patience and self-control. Interaction with the horse, volunteers, therapist and others can also improve the rider’s social development.
The horseback riding experience includes so many sensory stimuli that just being there is beneficial to the rider. The sights, the sounds, the smells, the feel of the horse, the warm body, the soft coat, the coarse mane, all increase stimulation in the brain.
Dream a Dream Therapeutic Horsemanship is a therapy riding center affiliated with NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association). This means that our instructor is certified by NARHA and that strict industry standards in the areas of safety, program facility and administration are met.
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