Astride with Pride is a therapeutic riding program that serves children and adults with disabilities.
Our goal to serve and help physically and cognitively disabled individuals.
Therapeutic Horseback riding helps individuals in many different ways:
- Riders can become independent in mobility because the horse is walking for them.
- For some riders, when the horse trots, it is the first time in their life that they have experienced what it is like to run.
- The movement of the horse�s hips simulates the human walk and jog, therefore building muscle strength for the rider and giving them total trunk movement as if the person were actually walking.
Traditional therapy cannot repeat this in a clinical setting.
Horseback Riding has many benefits for all by:
- improving physical fitness
- encouraging good posture
- helping with balance, coordination and range of motion
- Riders gain positive self-image and freedom, and enjoy social interaction with many people
- The horses give immediate feedback to let the rider know if he gave the correct command
Astride with Pride operates from April to mid November, running in 6-8 week sessions depending on the time of year. Riders participate in riding lessons tailored to their needs. Some only want the socialization while others want to learn to ride. Riders are given the opportunity to participate in demonstrations, local horse shows, state competitions.
Potential riders must send in their paperwork to Astride with Pride therapeutic riding, inc. to be reviewed. If things are in order and it will benefit the person to participate in the program, we will then see if there is a slot available for them. We must have the appropriate number of volunteers and the right horse for that rider to begin classes. if we are missing any of those things, the potential rider will be placed on a waiting list until we can serve them.
Lessons are available to persons with disabilities, for whom horseback riding is not medically contra-indicated. This includes all ages starting at age three. Therapeutic riding can help persons who have cerebral palsy, spina bifida, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, amputations, traumatic brain injury, autism, strokes and various cognitive and emotional difficulties.
