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Therapeutic Horse Riding
If you enjoy working with children, horses
and being outdoors then this is a project that you would find very rewarding.
Horses
are incredible animals. They seem to sense when people have
special needs and they try their best to adapt to meet those
needs. These gentle giants are unbelievably understanding,
compassionate and completely non-judgmental. Unless one is
deliberately brutal, they continually excuse us for our
mistakes. Horses truly give their hearts and souls for the
people that love them. It is no wonder then that horses make
such wonderful “therapists.”
 The
horse’s movements are smooth, and for those who are not able
to walk on their own, the riding experience can help to
exercise muscles that are used in walking and for balance.
For individuals with cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis,
the smooth motion of the horse can help to improve balance,
overall gross motor function, as well as trunk, pelvic and
hip motion.3,4 In fact, miracles occasionally occur!
Jeannette Wood, an adult rider who spent seven years in a
wheelchair as a result of M.S., is now not only able to
walk, but able to trot along with the horse as a volunteer
sidewalker at the therapeutic riding facility where she
first attended as a participant. Therapeutic riding can also be helpful for children with
developmental disabilities, mental retardation and learning
disabilities. Stevens (2007) discusses how horse interaction
and therapeutic riding are particularly helpful for children
with attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This type of therapeutic
setting may help children to improve their:
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Listening skills and the ability to follow
multi-step directions -
Communication skills
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Social skills -
Self-esteem
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Left to right orientation and directionality
(start at the front, move to the back, move left to right) -
Sequencing (step one, step two, step three,
etc. in order) -
Horse interaction and therapeutic riding can
also help the child diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder
to allow others to enter their world and eventually to join, at
least to some degree, the world outside of themselves
Therapeutic riding and horse interaction is a
powerful tool for many as they strive toward wholeness. Special
needs that therapeutic horse riding with Peace Villages meet,
include emotional and behavioral issues, at risk youth, learning
disabilities, physical disabilities, and vision, speech and hearing
impairments.And for those who are able bodied with a lot of love to
give, there is always a great need for volunteers!
Our
therapeutic horse riding area is just one part of the multi-faceted Therapy Center which Peace Villages is currently
constructing on its grounds. This Center will offer various types of therapies, skills training, and fun
activates to children with
special needs (due to physical or mental handicaps, or any other significant
difficulties in their personal lives).
Our Horses:
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Scooby-Doo |
Simba |
Medallon |
Activities can include:
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Daily maintenance and care of horses (MR: E1, L0, C0)
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Assisting with therapeutic riding classes (MR: E1, L1, C0)
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Maintenance of the paddock, arena and field shelter (MR: E0,
L0, C0)
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Assisting with horse care and management classes for children
(MR: E1, L1, C1)
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Maintenance of the saddlery and equipment (MR: E0, L0, C0)
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Maintaining photographic and written records of the
children's progress on a weekly basis (MR: E0, L0, C0)
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Helping with the collection of grasses to feed the horses
(MR: E0, L0, C0)
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Opportunity to ride on weekends (lessons can be provided if inexperienced)
(MR: E0, L0, C0
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Train horses (MR: E2, L0, C1)
 Requirements:
Anyone with an interest in working with horses
and children can apply. None to little experience is necessary as training will be given by
our staff horse therapist. Enthusiasm and a willingness to learn is a must!
Please check each activity for
its specific Minimum Requirements ( MR )
Level of Experience
None: E0; Little: E1; Advanced: E2; Experts: E3
Spanish Language Skills None: L0; Basic: L1; Conversational:
L2; Fluent: L3
Minimum Time Commitment None: C0; 1 Month: C1; 2 Months: C2; 3 Months: C3
Availability:
The facility runs throughout the year,
though there can be a reduced program during school holidays.
Photos
Cost
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Requirements: