Free Inquiry: Physical Therapy

What is Adaptive/Therapeutic Riding:

According to Path International, “therapeutic riding is an equine-assisted activity for the purpose of contributing positively to the cognitive, physical, emotional and social well-being of individuals with special needs. Therapeutic riding provides benefits in the areas of health, education, sport and recreation & leisure.” Professionals and volunteers work together with the riders to ensure safe, and fun, riding lessons.

Locally, the Victoria Therapeutic Riding Association has the ability to serve those with a variety of diverse abilities and diagnoses including but not limited to: ASD, ADHA, Cerebral Palsy, Brain Injuries, Anxiety, Depression, Down Syndrome and more. These riding students are aided in building muscle tone, strength, control, increasing range of motion, endurance, balance, gross and fine motor skills, stimulating cardio-respiratory function and assisting in coordination, sensory integration and ambulation. (wow!)

​Therapeutic riding can be used to gain muscle or build flexibility but having the riders focus on posture, core strength and letting their legs stretch long. There is also a variety of tack (what the horses wear) than can be used to implement strategic strategies. For example, if we are working with somebody with cerebral palsy, who has trouble stretching out their legs. They might not ride in a saddle that has stirrups. (Check out this therapeutic saddle!) This is because we don’t want them focusing on sliding their feet into them, but instead letting their legs stretch out and hang long. At the same time that the instructor is focusing on this with the student there is also:

1. a horse handler who is in charge of leading the horse safely
2. one to two side walkers who have a hand on the riders foot, calf or thigh, depending how much extra help they might need.

Grab your tissues and give this video a watch… I find it incredible to see the change in his physical ability and freedom.