Our Progam is designed for children and adults with Autism, Aspergers, ADD, ADHD, and Dyslexia. Equine therapy has been successful in helping people show improvement in: Assertiveness, emotional awareness, empathy, stress tolerance, flexibility, impulse control, problem-solving skills, independence, self-actualization, interpersonal relationships and self-esteem. Lessons emphasize horsemanship, riding skills and communication with the horse. We find that the “therapy” horses provide comes from an ability to communicate with the horse on and off the horse’s back.
Horses provide physical feedback, which naturally teaches the student to gain self-awareness, consciousness of the being he is interacting with, and skills to build that relationship into something positive, for both. That kind of intrinsic learning seems to generalize, a type of empowerment, which reaches into many other area of the student’s life.
Helmets and boots are available for use for students that do not have their own.
Instructors emphasize safety and are well trained to work with therapy students.
Susan Blake & the incredible gift of independence she and the Riding School have afforded Tristan. Tristan loves to go out on trail, or down the wash, or along the road! He loves the freedom. Susan showed me how she & her partner and friend of mine, Donika, roll Tristan into their camps, with other kids. They all include him and accommodate him. As does his school horse, Chief. Tristan has his own vision of balancing a cup. Tristan sometimes needs reminders not to preform unexpected acrobatics, or dismounts. Tristan has learned all the basic steps involved in his time with the horse and the steps expand to include learning more, as he’s ready. This has proven a fantastic opportunity for Tristan to grow…