What is Therapeutic Riding?

Therapeutic riding provides people with physical, mental and psychological challenges opportunities to use equine activities—adapted and individualized for them—as recreation,  socialization, and skill-building.

The horse’s motion closely replicates the human walk. No machine has yet replicated this motion. Therefore, riding a horse helps improve the rider’s flexibility, balance, and muscle strength.

For individuals with mental or emotional challenges, the unique relationship formed with the horse can lead to increased confidence, patience, and self-esteem - qualities we all need in life.

We encourage our riders to participate in horse-related activities to their maximum ability and strive to provide them a safe atmosphere, which includes support, structure, and socialization.

Each applicant is assessed upon referral. This allows Dream Catchers to make sure that we can meet the applicant’s needs, and that the benefits of participating outweigh the risks. Once a student is accepted, an individualized lesson plan is then created.  Lessons are one hour, once per week for the session. Sessions are generally ten weeks, or so, depending on the calendar.  The goal each rider shares is to improve the skills necessary to ride a horse. That includes fine motor skills, planning, communication, and balance.

Much of the life experience of individuals with special needs consists of being told that they can’t. At Dream Catchers, our riders, while sitting atop a horse, find that they CAN!