How you can help

Howdy,
There are many ways that you can help these therapeutic riding center. You can either volunteer or donate money to help support the cost.
To volunteer all you have to do is go to one of the centers. You don't even have to have any horse knowledge or anything. You just have to have the want to help the people that go there to get help. Most volunteers volunteer for their senior projects or as a way to give back to their community.
Another way that you can help is to donate money. Almost every single therapeutic riding center does fundraisers or takes donations to get money to run the center. Nothing comes cheap anymore. These centers have to pay for feed, taxes, and the expensive equipment that the centers must have to run.
So go out and help in any way possible. Either through volunteering or through donating any amount of money. Every little bit helps.


Kayla

Therapeutic Riding Centers

Howdy,
In the United States there is over 70 different therapeutic riding centers out there that help these mentally and physically challenged people out there. At these centers there is many different components that help to make up these centers.
First and most importantly there is horses. These horses are not your every day horses. These horses are completely bomb proof to almost everything out there. Each and every one of them has to go through a rigorous training to make sure they will be safe and reliable to any type of rider that is on their back. Most of these horses are retired pasture pets that have been donated to the centers.
The next most important thing at these centers are the workers and volunteers. Without these people there would be no center at all. Volunteers aid the riders in mounting horses and help provide support to the riders while doing exercises, play games, going through obstacle courses, and other riding activities. The volunteers also give emotional support to the riders for their efforts. Many volunteers assist with tack and grounds maintenance as well.Volunteers with equestrian experience or those who want to learn may help to groom and tack horses, serve as horse leaders, and assist in the training of our horses. Fund-raising , grant writing, serving on a committee, or becoming a member of the Board of Directors are some other ways to volunteer. There are many opportunities for those who prefer to volunteer only occasionally as well. Volunteers can assist at horse shows, special events, or building and repair work at the ranch. Without their help there would be nothing.
Also at these centers are the stable, pastures, and rings that the horses and riders use. Most of these facilities have to have special accommodations for the mentally and physically challenged that go there to ride. Some of these accommodations are flat and even surfaces, special ramps that allow the people to mount the horses on their own, and special saddles and tack that allow the rider to be safe and secure.


Kayla

Riding

Riding is not a sport, it is a passion.
If you do not share the passion,
you do not know the sport,
and therefore are wasting your time.

How this type of riding helps.

Howdy,

Therapeutic riding have many ways that help the mentally and physically challenged be more independent and assertive. From the beginning, riders learn balance, coordination and self-assurance while receiving therapeutic muscle stimulation. As a result of carefully planned lessons, poise posture, strength and flexibility improve.A strong sense of responsibility develops as the rider learns to take part in the care of the horses and equipment. Advanced equestrian skills, teamwork and cooperation are learned as the rider becomes independent on horseback. Classes, horse shows and events encourage confidence, self-esteem and a sense of accomplishment as new levels of expertise and new goals are met.

Also this type of riding is wonderful stimulation for the brain and mental thinking. It allows the rider to develop a sense of hand-eye coordination and thinking skills. This happens through doing certain exercises on the horse such as working with colors and plastic rings. All of this helps to stimulate not only the body but the mind as well.

Kayla

Let Me Teach You
by Willis Lamm

When you are tense, let me teach you to relax.
When you are short tempered, let me teach you to be patient.
When you are short sighted, let me teach you to see.
When you are quick to react, let me teach you to be thoughtful.
When you are angry, let me teach you to be serene.
When you feel superior, let me teach you to be respectful.
When you are self absorbed, let me teach you to think of greater things.
When you are arrogant, let me teach you humility.
When you are lonely, let me be your companion.
When you are tired, let me carry the load.
When you need to learn, let me teach you.
After all, I am your horse.

Origins of Therapuetic Riding

Well i am back and this time i am hear to tell you about how therapuetic riding started and how it has progressed since then.
It has been documented that therapeutic value of riding has been going since 600 B.C. Even then, it was acknowledged that riding was more than a means of transportation; it was also a way of improving the health and well-being of people with handicaps. The first study of the value of riding as therapy was reported in 1875. French physician Cassaign used riding as a treatment for a variety of conditions, and concluded that it was helpful in the treatment of certain kinds of neurological disorders by improving posture, balance and joint movement, as well as mental improvements
Therapeutic Horseback Riding came to both the United States and Canada in 1960, with the formation of the Community Association of Riding of the Disabled.In the United States, riding for the disabled developed as a form of recreation and as a means of motivation for education, as well as for its therapeutic benefits.
Today, disabled riders demonstrate their remarkable accomplishments in national and international sport riding competitions. Hippotherapy (physical therapy on horseback, using the horse as the therapist) has developed as a medical field recognized by most major countries. Equine Facilitated Mental Health, Equine Experiential Learning and other forms of therapy involving horses are gaining in popularity. Medical doctors, psychiatrists, physical and occupational therapists, speech therapists, and teachers all refer patients and students to riding programs for the disabled. Riding for the disabled has become a well recognized and acclaimed method of improving the lives of those who refuse to let their disabilities limit them.

Well hope you gained some knowledge....i know i did.




Kayla

Start off

Howdy,

This is Kayla and this blog is about how horses help influence and care for the mentally and physically challenged. Despite the fact that horses are known to be huge, scary, and dangerous, they are well known for the gentle and caring ways of people.
Horses have been helping to heal people since 600 B.C. Even then, it was acknowledged that riding was more than a means of transportation; it was also a way of improving the health and well-being of people with handicaps. They concluded that it was helpful in the treatment of certain kinds of neurological disorders by improving posture, balance and joint movement, as well as psychological improvements.
So let me know what you think of the blog and i will keep you posted on updates and more information on the Therapeutic riding.

See yah,
Kayla