A Nurturing Place for Therapeutic Riding
Therapeutic riding goes beyond horsemanship skills. Certified PATH Intl. instructors and trained volunteers use horses to foster emotional bonding, modify behavior, acquire life skills, and make therapy fun! MANE is a nurturing place where challenges are overcome through partnership with equines.
Benefits intrinsic to therapeutic horseback riding have been noted in individuals with a variety of physical, cognitive, developmental, social, and behavioral challenges, including:
- Attention Deficit Disorder
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Cerebral Palsy
- Down syndrome
- Epilepsy
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Spina Bifida
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Amputation
Riding a horse moves the rider’s body in a manner that mimics the human gait, which facilitates improvement in flexibility, balance, and muscle strength and coordination. However, the benefits of equine assisted activities and therapies extend beyond just the physical; riders often demonstrate improvement in areas such as decision-making, social and body awareness, communication, team building, cognitive functioning, memory, confidence, patience, and self-esteem.
Horses are the best partners you could ask for – they are sensitive, intuitive, and extremely perceptive, relying on effective communication and partnership. Every horse in the barn has a unique personality and skill set which allows staff to find the perfect match for each rider.
MANE holds 6-week riding sessions in the Fall, Winter, and Spring that include mounted and unmounted lessons tailored to the specific needs of your child. Contact MANE to find out more about availability and how your child can benefit from therapeutic riding.
