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.

Social benefits- Friendships, development of respect for individuals and animals, love for animals, personal bonds, increased experiences, and enjoyment.

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.

Approaches to Therapeutic Riding
Therapy
Education
Sport
Recreation and Leisure
**Therapeutic Riding overlaps with all of these categories

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

Therapeutic Riding Rates are as follows:
Hour private lesson $35.00
Half hour private lesson $25
Hour group lesson $25

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What is Hippotherapy?
Hippotherapy is a physical, occupational, speech or recreational therapist treatment strategy utilizing the movement of the equine and is part of an integrated treatment program. A trained therapist works with students in a controlled environment. The therapist modifies the horse's movement and carefully gives sensory input. Specific riding skills are not taught during these sessions but rather a foundation is established to improve neurological and sensory processing. Support is given according to the individual needs of each rider. The preferred tack is a bareback pad which allows the rider to feel more warmth and movement from the horse.

Who it benefits from Hippotherapy?
Cerebral Palsy
Spinal Cord Injury
Traumatic Brain Injury
Multiple Sclerosis
Stroke
Spinal Bifida
Arthritis
Scoliosis
Muscular Dystrophy
Paralysis/ Paraplegia

Hippotherapy Rates are as follows:
Hour private lesson $70.00
Half hour private lesson $55.00

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What is Therapeutic Vaulting? 
Therapeutic vaulting has been referred to as a dynamic approach to therapeutic riding.  In this program, the basic vaulting positions are taught along with exercises and many other aspects determined by the needs of the individuals.  Vaulting sessions provide an enviroment where participants can progress at their own speed, while still being part of a group working together.  Instead of being competitive, the class is designed to encourage team work, to discover and practice new skills, and most of all to have fun.  

This program improves balance, agility, coordination, concentration, and strength with the psychological benefits of increased self-confidence and the pride of accomplishment.

Therapeutic Vaulting Rates are as follows:
$15.00 per participant

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What is Therapeutic Driving?

Carriage driving is a valuable alternative equine activity for many participants. Some people drive because they may not be able to ride due to physical limitations such as severe paralysis or low trunk stability. Some simply just like it better. Recreational driving offers a unique reward and fun for all ages.

The benefits of carriage driving include increased upper body strength and balance, improved hand-eye-coordination, lengthening attention span, sharper spatial awareness, increased confidence, and improved sequencing skills.

This program is under current development at Ivy Hill thanks to a grant from the Christopher Reeve Foundation.  Carriage driving services began in the Summer of 2007.  Please contact Ivy Hill if you are interested in participating in this program at this time.

Therapeutic carriage driving rates are as follows:
Hour private session $35.00
Half- hour private session $25.00
*Due to limited space within the carriage, group sessions are not available for carriage driving.

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Competition Opportunities

 

Ivy Hill has many opportunities for our students to get involved with competitions at a variety of levels. Ivy Hill participates in Special Olympics, Thorncroft Equestrian Center's Fall Show, in house shows, and Handicapped Riders Division of the Devon Horse Show, hosted by Thorncroft Equestrian Center.

Special Olympics competitions are another show series where we combine our qualifying show with other programs in the county. Those riders who qualify then participate at the state level. This is a real honor especially for those riders with intellectual disabilities who are privileged to travel to Penn State for four days to participate in the Special Olympic Summer Games. The state level of competition is an amazing event for anyone who participates or has the honor of watching this competition. It is an experience you will never forget whether you are a student, a parent, a volunteer or someone who is there to watch and support these students as they compete, make new friends and most importantly SHINE. It is truly a wonderful experience for all who are involved in Special Olympics and one you should experience for yourself if you have the opportunity.

Ivy Hill's home shows are for those just beginning to ride with the program to those who have been riding for years. This is a chance for all of our students and staff to get together and honor the riders in their achievements. Ivy Hill traditionally does a Spring and Fall show. Our home shows are a wonderful opportunity for parents, riders, staff and volunteers to come together and enjoy a fun-filled day of friendly competition and commodore.

Thorncroft Equestrian Center is another therapeutic riding program in Pennsylvania that hosts two shows each year. Their fall show is a smaller show and their Spring show is combined with the Handicapped Riders Event of The Devon Horse Show. This is a privilege for those riders who qualify. Riders will show at Thorncroft on Saturday and then on Sunday if they receive champion or reserve champion they will show at The Devon Horseshow. Ivy Hill has had riders participate in both the Fall and Spring shows at Thorncroft for several years and we look forward to continuing the tradition for many years to come.

There are other competition opportunities throughout the year, as Ivy Hill is continually doing demonstrations and attending community outreach events. If you are a current student and interested in learning more about other competition opportunities please let your instructor know.

Bonnie Sames Financial Assistance Program

If you are interested in sponsoring a rider or donating funds to support our financial assistance program for individuals of low income families please click to view the sponsorship form. 

Ivy Hill Rider Sponsorship Form