Therapeutic Riding

Recreational riding lessons benefiting mind, body, and spirit

What is Therapeutic Riding?

Therapeutic Riding includes any mounted equine activity taught by a N.A.R.H.A. Certified Instructor. Generally, students are individuals with disabilities or diverse needs. Students may learn traditional riding disciplines or participate in adaptive riding activities designed to accommodate their specific challenges.

Who can benefit from Therapeutic Riding?

Dream Quest Therapeutic Riding is dedicated to addressing the needs of individuals with cognitive, emotional and behavioral challenges, as well as those individuals with physical disabilities. Any such individual desiring personal growth who enjoys animals and the outdoors may benefit. Therapeutic Riding lessons can be adapted to teach riding skills to a wide variety of participants while accommodating their individual needs. No previous horse experience is necessary. Appointments for children over 6 years old, teens and adults are available.

What are the benefits of Therapeutic Riding?

As students learn riding skills, they may experience a wide range of benefits, including:

• Improved balance, flexibility, strength, muscle control, and eye-hand coordination
• Greater self-confidence, independence, patience, emotional control, self-discipline, and problem solving skills
• Development of friendships, teamwork skills, mutual respect, and a sense of responsibility
• Exposure to a broad range of experiences and activities
• A sense of normality
• Fun, relaxation, and a general sense of well-being

How does Therapeutic Riding differ from Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy?

Though E.F.P. and Therapeutic Riding share many of the same benefits, there are some important distinctions between the two.

E.F.P. is always facilitated by a licensed/credentialed mental health professional. Though the client will learn equestrian skills, therapy co-facilitated with horses is the primary focus.

Therapeutic Riding, however, has a more recreational and educational focus. Though learning riding skills and participating in activities may have therapeutic value for the student, it is not therapy.

According to N.A.R.H.A., an activity is therapeutic if a participant derives benefit, shows improvement or feels better once engaged. An activity can be therapeutic without being considered as therapy.

How does Therapeutic Riding differ from Hippotherapy?

Hippotherapy is a physical, occupational or speech therapy treatment strategy utilizing equine movement. The unique movement of the horse becomes part of an integrated treatment program to achieve functional outcomes. Though the equine movement experienced during a Therapeutic Riding lesson may have some benefits similar to Hippotherapy, the two programs are different.

As with E.F.P., the focus of Hippotherapy is therapy, whereas the focus of Therapeutic Riding is recreational. Also, just as E.F.P. must be facilitated by a licensed/credentialed mental health professional, Hippotherapy must be practiced by a credentialed physical, occupational, or speech therapist. As there are currently no appropriately qualified therapists on the Dream Quest staff, Dream Quest does not offer Hippotherapy.

What do I need to do in order to begin Thereapeutic Riding with Dream Quest?

Contact Jackie Griswold by phone at 770-330-4295 or by email at jackiegriswold@dreamquesttr.com to discuss how Dream Quest can meet your needs and to make an appointment.

A registration packet must be completed and reviewed prior to riding. This includes a release of liability and signed permission to participate from a physician. You may download and print the registration packet here.

Dream Quest Therapeutic Riding Registration Packet (PDF format, readable by Adobe Acrobat)

Dream Quest Therapeutic Riding Registration Packet (DOC format, readable by Microsoft Word)