What is therapeutic riding and what are the benefits?
HORSEPOWER's
mission is to promote and enhance the welfare of individuals with disabilities
by providing a program of therapeutic, educational and recreational value,
and further, to empower individuals who are mentally, physically, emotionally
and/or socially challenged through the use of horses, while providing
therapeutic benefits in a safe and controlled atmosphere.
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Board of Directors
Joe Glover-Chair
Jan Clifford-Executive Director
Robert Dickson- Vice Chair
Melissa Lyons
Tibe Payne
Chris Puckett
Dr. Rebecca Stinson
Patrick Forbis
Gib McEachran
Phil Hall
Woodrow Hathaway
What is therapeutic riding and what are the benefits?
Therapeutic horseback riding helps people who are mentally and physically challenged achieve a quality of life that is improved, enhanced and enriched. Based on input from doctors, therapists, teachers, and parents, the student's individual goals are designed to complement ongoing therapy and education. The benefits of horseback riding are threefold:
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Physical - The three-dimensional motion of the horse provides the rider hip and back actions that simulate natural walking. Riding relaxes and strengthens muscles and improves body tone, posture, balance, joint mobility, and coordination.
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Emotional - Contact with horses and horsemanship training provides a non-competitive setting for learning new abilities, self-discipline, and improved concentration building self-confidence.
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Social - Horseback riding nurtures a positive self-image. Riders may, for the first time in their lives, experience some independence and sense of being part of the team.
The
educational and physical benefits from equestrian activities are numerous.
Participants learn new skills and build confidence through opportunities
to interact with animals and other individuals. Particularly
beneficial for individuals with impaired mobility, horseback riding gently
and rhythmically moves the body in a similar manner to a human walking
gait, thereby, increasing balance, muscle control and strength. (Back
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Our vision is to increase the quality of life for people with disabilities through the use of horses. |
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We believe that horses provide recreational and therapeutic benefits to persons with disabilities. |
| We believe that what happens between a horse and its rider is often a magical, and sometimes unexplainable, experience. |
| We believe that our training, knowledge and experience with horses and persons with disabilities provides a unique opportunity to enhance the quality of life for our clients. |
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We believe the world looks different on a horse.
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NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association)
HORSEPOWER is a Premier center, operating an equine program and following all of the operation standards set forth by NARHA. Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, NARHA is a non-profit organization that exists to promote equine activities for individuals with disabilities. The operating centers, are the heart of the riding for the disabled movement because they bring together all of the necessary individuals, horses, equipment and expertise. To learn more about NARHA visit their website at www.NARHA.org. (Back to Top)
Visit HORSEPOWER
For more information on our program or to schedule an appointment for a tour of our facility, please give us a call at 336-931-1424. You'll find detailed directions to HORSEPOWER here.
Phone: 336-931-1424
Fax: 336-931-1425
E-mail:
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For information on becoming a volunteer, questions about completing community service hours, information on group volunteer projects or general inquiries, contact the Volunteer Coordinator, at volunteer@horsepower.org. |
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For information on P.A.T.H. our Equine Facilitated Life Skills Program, or our HORSEPOWER Club contact Tim Clifford, Youth Director, at tim@horsepower.org. |
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For information on donations, becoming a student or questions regarding media/PR, contact Jan Clifford, Executive Director at jan@horsepower.org. |
