After five years of traditional occupational and physical therapy, our daughter longed for a therapy that was more fun. A new therapeutic horseback riding facility opened near our home and we quickly enrolled her for lessons.
Therapeutic horseback riding has been around for several years. The ability to control a horse can inspire self-confidence in a child with a disability. The physical benefits of riding for children with hemiparesis are numerous. Riding can result in improved balance, stronger muscles, improved coordination, faster reflexes, better motor planning, stretching of tight muscles, less spasticity and increased range of motion.
Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International
Find a Therapeutic Horseback Riding Center
American Hippotherapy Association
