Adaptive/therapeutic riding at Blue Rider doesn’t differ in any way from our other classes; our therapy addresses diagnosed issues within the realm of a regular riding class plan. The individual remains the top priority, not the diagnosis. Language and skills are modified to suit the cognitive ability of the rider. Our lessons are accommodating to all ages.
The physical movement of the horse mimics the movement of the human pelvis while walking, creating a harmony and balance throughout the torso.
Bareback riding enhances this through the closeness and contact to the horse. Riding bareback truly helps riders to find, engage and strengthen their core muscles. Warmth of the horse helps with relaxation and stretching of muscles. Focus is taught through the need of the horse to understand the rider. The horse is always non-judgmental, which builds confidence and self-esteem.
Students going through our therapeutic programs have been diagnosed with:
- Autism/Asperger’s
- Sensory Processing Disorder
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Cerebral Palsy
- Intellectual Disabilities
- Down Syndrome
- Dyslexia
- Visual Impairment
- Deafness
- Brain Injury/TBI
- Alzheimer’s
- Ataxia
- FASD
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Learning Disabilities
- Fine-Motor Delays
- Trunk Weakness
- ADHD/ADD
- Emotional Disabilities
- Balance issues
- Depression
- Anxiety Disorders
- Huntington’s
- Parkinson’s
- PTSD
- Mobility Disabilities
- Medical Disabilities
- Adoption Trauma
- Stroke
- Muscle/Tendon/Bone Injury
- Speech Therapy
- Joint Replacement
- Back Issues
- At-Risk Youth
- Bullying & Teasing
- Drug Rehab
- Reactive Attachment Disorder
- Arthritis
- Selectively Mute
- Surgery Recovery
- Grief/Loss Mentoring
The benefits of equine activities as documented are in these areas:
- Muscular Strength
- Motor Development
- Balance & Rhythm
- Hand-Eye Coordination
- Direction
- Body Awareness
- Time Perception
- Social Skills
- Comprehension
- Problem Solving
- Visual Perception
- Emotional Awareness
These play out physically, sensorially, emotionally, cognitively, and socially.
