Therapeutic Horseback Riding
What is therapeutic horseback riding?
Therapeutic horseback riding is a form of therapy that began in Europe in the 1950’s as a way to improve the lives of individuals with physical disabilities. It is a form of therapy that gently and rhythmically assists the rider’s body in moving in a manner similar to a human gait. Because the movement of a horse mimics the movement of a human’s walk, riders experience this movement in their own bodies and receive physical, sensory, and neurological stimulation. This translates to stronger muscles, better balance and coordination, and, just as importantly, greater self-confidence and self-esteem.
What are the benefits of therapeutic horseback riding?
For individuals with mental and emotional disabilities, the unique relationship formed with the horse can lead to increased confidence, patience, and self-esteem.
For individuals with physical disabilities often show improvement in flexibility, balance, and muscle strength.
Individuals with almost any cognitive, physical, and/or emotional disability can benefit from therapeutic horseback riding, driving, vaulting, competition, or other purposeful, safe and supervised interaction with equines. The sense of independence and acceptance found through equine assisted activities and therapies with the horse benefits all.
How do I go about enrolling in therapeutic horseback riding?
At LifeSpan Farm - TRC, our process goes like this: You must complete a Rider Registration Packet, which includes information about our program and fees, release forms, and medical forms to be completed by the rider’s doctor. Upon receiving the completed packet and fee’s our Riding Instructor reviews the information and the Program Director will call to set up an evaluation. An evaluation is required before we can determine an appropriate riding class placement and start date. The evaluation is done by our Lead Riding Instructor and costs $25. Not everyone who is evaluated, however, is accepted into the program. Sometimes there are reasons, for the safety of the rider or our staff, why we cannot accept a rider. We follow NARHA guidelines in making these decisions. Once accepted, a time for weekly lesson is chosen, if available. If we do not have an opening, the rider is placed on a waiting list until an opening becomes available. We make every effort to accept riders into our program as quickly as possible.
How can I get the forms to sign up?
Please click here to download and print off our Rider Registration Packet. You can send us an email at jfrey@lifespanservices.org or call us at 704.393.0333 for us to mail you a packet.
When are lessons?
Our riding lessons operate in the evening during the week and on Saturday mornings. Please click here to see our schedule for exact session dates.
How much does is cost?
Our riding session is composed of 6 weeks of lessons and costs $180 per session. Once you are enrolled in LifeSpan Farm - Therapeutic Riding Center program you are required to complete the session registration form for each session and return it by the deadline along with a $30 non-refundable deposit, which will be credited towards your session cost. If we do not receive the session registration form by the due date we will assign another rider to that class placement. Session cost minus the $30 non-refundable deposit is due at the first lesson. For example, a session costs $180 minus $30 deposit leaving a balance of $150 due at first lesson.
Do you offer financial assistance?
Through generous donations from the community we are able to offer Financial Assistance. For more information about our Financial Assistance, please click here. To download and print our Financial Assistance Application, please click here.
Additional financial assistance might be available through First in Families - Mecklenburg County. To learn more, please click here.
