WHAT DO VOLUNTEERS DO?
The trained leader is responsible for leading the mounts in from the paddock and making the proper preparations for the students to come.
 
The trained sidewalker is responsible for helping to get the rider prepared to ride or helping getting the tack ready for the horse.

Each rider has his/her own special needs, so the saddle and stirrup type are carefully chosen.  The lessons are planned on an individual basis, with an emphasis on allowing the rider to be as independent as possible.  With this, the horse is selected, and the volunteers matched for a winning combination.

WHY THERAPEUTIC RIDING?
Using specially trained horses, therapeutic riding provides psychological, physical, and social stimulation which encourages individuals to test their abilities.  Self esteem is improved, riders receive therapeutic benefits, and they get to RIDE A HORSE!

HOW CAN A HANDICAPPED PERSON RIDE A HORSE?
In Therapeutic Riding we emphasize independence.  We use only the equipment necessary to enable an individual to be as independent as possible, yet at the same time maintaining safety as our number one goal.  All of our students are provided with approved (ASTM-SEI) helmets.
    
Our riders generally use hunt seat or all purpose saddles.  The English saddle has three main benefits for our riders.  First, the student’s balance is challenged by riding in an English saddle.  Second, the saddle allows for mobility while doing exercises.  Third, the horse’s body heat easily escapes through the leather to relax the rider’s muscles.  Some of our students may ride with only a pad and a device similar to a vaulting surcingle, only it has a handle in the center on top.
    
We use safety peacock stirrups.  They are designed for safety and to enhance a student’s abilities.  The students can be fit with safety belts in case there is a need for balance assistance.
 
WHAT BENEFITS WILL A STUDENT RECEIVE?
The physical benefits a client receives are unlimited.  For a wheelchair student, this may be the only natural hip rotation the student experiences.  Students will challenge themselves to maintain their balance with every step the horse takes.  The student is also required to use his coordination while guiding the horse around obstacles-or even making the horse go.
    
The horse is the “therapist,” emotionally as well as physically.  Through their lessons on horsemanship, our students receive a therapeutic experience.  Most students are taught how to care for and groom a horse, as well as how to saddle a horse.
    
We work closely with physical and occupational therapists in order to determine exercises that would most benefit our individual riders, as well as exercises that are to be avoided.  Each rider undergoes an evaluation with a certified instructor, Occupational and/or Physical therapist to develop goals for him/her. Each rider is then matched with the most suitable horse or pony for him/her.
    
The emotional and social benefits are great.  The student’s self-esteem is increased as he does something for himself!  Many of these students will talk about riding while siblings talk about baseball, for example.
    
The rider is forced to communicate with the horse, volunteers, instructor and other students in order to do something s/he loves-ride a horse!  For many of these riders, this is the only opportunity they have to be completely independent.

WHO ELSE IS INVOLVED?
Our volunteers are very valuable to The REATH Center.  Some of the students need a leader-someone who helps guide the horse when the rider needs assistance.  Some clients need sidewalkers-volunteers who walk beside them to assist with balance if necessary, or to reinforce directions as needed.  Riders may require most any combination of the above, or ride independently.  Volunteers are there to help-not to do the work for the students.

Highly trained horses and qualified instructors make the experience beneficial and well-balanced all the while having fun.