What is Therapeutic Riding?

Therapeutic Riding is an equine assisted therapy which positively impacts the physical, mental, emotional, and overall well-being of individuals. With the direction and supervision of an Instructor, individuals have the unique opportunity to benefit in multiple areas including health, education, social and communication skills. They rhythmic movement of the horse can help with calming, muscle strength, and balance.

How does therapeutic Riding Help?

Therapeutic riding helps because it gives the rider a bond with the horse and helps the rider take control of situations they can control as well as let go of situations they cannot control. These lessons flow into their everyday life and enable them to improve social, mental, and motor skills.  The use of therapeutic riding gives a person with a disability the ability to feel the natural movements of a horse’s gait, which is similar to that of humans, and can improve flexibility, balance and muscle strength.

Physical Benefits

• Improved balance, strength, range of motion

• Improved coordination/motor skills, faster reflex

• Improved respiration/circulation

• Sensory integration

Psychological Benefits

• Bi-Lateral movement helps brain heal from trama

• Sense of well-being

• Improved self-confidence

• Improved risk-management abilities

• Emotional control, self-discipline

Social Benefits

• Relationship development

• Interaction with others, animals, nature

• Development of respect for others

• Improved social skills (one-on-one/group)

Educational Benefits

• Proven to increase remedial reading, math and science skills

• Greater listening skills and focus

• Sequencing, patterning, motor planning skills

• Visual and spatial perception/differentiation

• Improved eye-hand coordination

Who can benefit from Therapeutic Riding?

Therapeutic riding can benefit riders in different development stages. It can help riders that have attention problems, problems handling self-control, self-esteem, and self-confidence. Therapeutic riding can also benefit riders with physical disabilities, by improving balance, movement, and strength. Refuge Services provides therapeutic riding to clients ages 2 and above.


The types of disabilities and conditions served include:

  • Amputations
  • Austism
  • Brain Injuries
  • Cerebal Palsy
  • Down Syndrome
  • Cardiovascular Accident
  • ADHD/ADD
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Muscular Dystrophy
  • Post Polio
  • Speech Impairments
  • Stroke
  • Emotional Disabilities
  • Spina Bifida
  • Hearing Impairments
  • Spinal Cord Injuries
  • Learning Disabilities
  • Visual Impairments

Please contact our office to be pre-approved before completing the registration packet.

Click here for the Therapeutic Riding Packet