History of Therapeutic Riding…
Therapeutic riding, also known, as Equine Assisted Therapy, Equine Facilitated Therapy, and riding for the disabled, is known as the use of the horse for equine based activities. Therapeutic Riding utilizes the horse to achieve a variety of therapeutic goals, including cognitive, physical, social, educational, and behavioral goals. Therapeutic riding has been practiced since before WWI, when Germans rode horses for therapy. The first study of value on riding as a therapy was reported in 1875, when a French physician used riding as a treatment for a variety of conditions. He concluded therapeutic riding was helpful in the treatment of certain neurological disorders by improving balance and joint movement, as well as psychological improvements.

Therapeutic riding is practiced in some form all over the world. Great Britain formed The Riding for the Disabled (RDA) program to promote competition and equine sports for persons with disabilities. Germany and Switzerland have been in the forefront of developing and establishing Hippotherapy as a medical mode of equine assisted therapy. Therapeutic riding incorporates therapy, education, sport, and recreation.

Therapeutic riding came to the United States and Canada in 1960 with the formation of The Community Association of Riding of the Disabled. Today disabled riders demonstrate their accomplishments in national and international sport riding competitions. Hippotherapy has developed as a medical field recognized by most major countries. Equine Facilitated Mental Health and other forms of therapy involving horses are gaining popularity. 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.

What is Therapeutic Riding?
There are many benefits to therapeutic riding for individuals with cognitive, physical, or emotional disabilities. All students gain confidence by mastering riding skills. Therapeutic riding focuses on forming a partnership with the horse. The horse's gait closely emulates that of the human gait. This natural repetitive motion can not easily be replicated by a therapy ball or other types of equipment. For many individuals, this is the first time they are able to feel this type of movement. Horses are very social animals. Social interactions are developed between the horse, therapist, instructors, volunteers, and other students. Riding a horse allows the brain to practice correct walking movement patterns, giving not only the muscles an opportunity to experience the motion, but also the vestibular system as well.

Physical benefits can include greater strength and agility, improved balance and posture, improved weight bearing ability, improved circulation, respiration, and metabolism, normalizing of muscle tone, reduced spacisity, improved fine and gross motor skills, improved coordination, improved reflexes, and increased range of motion.

Psychological benefits can include an increase in recreation, fun, empowerment, social interactions, independence, improved self image, attention span and motivation, self- confidence, self-discipline, risk taking, patience, and trust.

Cognitive benefits can include sequencing, hand-eye coordination, multi-tasking, sensory integration, left/right discrimination, motor planning, patterning, and visual/spatial perception.

Educational benefits - through play riders learn to identify colors, numbers, shapes, animals, etc.

Riding for adults is a great way to achieve and/or maintain physical fitness, increase balance, increase flexibility, encourage better posture, lead to better cardio-vascular functioning, improve motor functioning, and help to achieve greater independence.

Who benefits from Therapeutic Riding?
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Down Syndrome
ADD/ADHD
Cerebral Palsy
Developmental Delays
Paraplegia
Traumatic brain injury
Multiple sclerosis
Muscular dystrophy
Reactive Attachment Disorder
Bipolar
Mental Retardation
Hearing impairments
Visual impairments

Ivy Hill offers therapeutic riding sessions in both private and group settings. Group sessions are one hour in length. Private sessions can be either one hour or half hour sessions depending on preference and ability. Rates for these sessions are as follows:
Hour private lesson $35.00
Half hour private lesson $25
Hour group lesson $25

If you are interested in becoming a rider at our program, please click here to download our rider application. Please mail completed applications to: Ivy Hill Therapeutic Equestrian Center, P.O. Box 23, Franconia, PA 18924