Therapeutic Horseback Riding Program - Our horses bring health, happiness and hope!

A natural and fun therapy for physical, mental, emotional and behavioral challenges.

If you've ridden horses or enjoyed their gentle love, you know the experience is unlike any other. And for those with physical, mental, emotional or behavioral challenges, the interaction can be remarkably life changing.

Therapeutic horseback riding can enhance:

- Strength, coordination, self-esteem, concentration, emotional states, posture, balance, a sense of well being, personal mobility, a feeling of independence.

How do these gentle, four-legged therapists help?

Horses and humans walk using a similar motion and gait. Horse movements cause riders to respond using natural body movements. Exercise equipment works specific muscle groups, where horseback riding promotes integrated "whole person" flow of movements. Students with physical disabilities improve their muscle strength, balance, flexibility and coordination.

Our horses are also friendly, nonjudgmental companions. Their gentle natures improve mental and emotional states. The bond that develops between a horse and rider inspires a sense of teamwork, responsibility, communication, caring and joy.

What sort of challenges can therapeutic riding help with?

- Physical: injuries, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, stroke, spinal bifida, paralysis

- Cognitive: autism, Down's syndrome, mental retardation, sensory integration disorder, attention deficit disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Fee: Six 1/2 hour lessons over 6 weeks - $ 120

Download Therapeutic Horseback riding Application Packet 2012

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy incorporates horses experientially for emotional growth and learning. It is a collaborative effort between a licensed therapist and a horse professional working with the clients and horses to address treatment goals.

Participants learn about themselves and others by participating in activities with the horses, and then processing (or discussing) thoughts, beliefs, behaviors, and patterns. Specific treatment goals, objectives and interventions are identified and documented.

Activities are structured to provide experiences that require clients to take initiative, make decisions, and be accountable for results. Throughout the process, the client is actively engaged in posing questions, experimenting, solving problems and constructing meaning, often through the constructive use of metaphor.

Volunteer Orientation dates for 2012: 1/7, 3/10, 4/28, 9/15, 10/2

Orientations are held from 1:00-2:30pm at Ivey Ranch, down at the horses. All orientations are required to work with the Horses and Therapy programs. Volunteers must be at least 9 years old.  No Horse experience necessary.

Download Volunteer Application Packet , Equestrian Program Welcome.

Our volunteers are how we are able to do what we do for the children and Ivey Ranch Park. Volunteers not only help care for the horses, but help our riders have their riding experience. Volunteers help to guide the horse and balance the rider. If you have any time on your weekends or afternoons we could use your help. It is a great way to help a child, get some horse time, and can be a chance for the family to do something together.

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