Therapeutic Horseback Riding
PATH International (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International, http://www.pathintl.org) was initially founded as the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) to promote safe and effective therapeutic horseback riding. PATH began with a focus on horseback riding as a form of physical and mental therapy, the organization has since developed a multitude of different equine-related activities for therapeutic purposes, collectively known as equine-assisted activities and therapies (or EEAT). The Equine Site Therapeutic Riding website (http://www.equinesite.com/therapyride.htm#Massachusetts) also provides a wide variety of information on therapeutic riding. Therapeutic riding may assist with improving a child’s self esteem, balance, posture, strength and flexibility.
PATH International (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International, http://www.pathintl.org) was initially founded as the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) to promote safe and effective therapeutic horseback riding. PATH began with a focus on horseback riding as a form of physical and mental therapy, the organization has since developed a multitude of different equine-related activities for therapeutic purposes, collectively known as equine-assisted activities and therapies (or EEAT). The Equine Site Therapeutic Riding website (http://www.equinesite.com/therapyride.htm#Massachusetts) also provides a wide variety of information on therapeutic riding. Therapeutic riding may assist with improving a child’s self esteem, balance, posture, strength and flexibility.
Organization |
Additional Information |
Camps (summer, day or other), Equine facilitated experiential learning, Equine facilitated psychotherapy, Grooming & Tacking, Ground Work, Hippotherapy, Recreational Riding, Therapeutic Riding |
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Breezy Hill Therapeutic Riding 583 Adams St Holliston MA (781) 259 - 8909 friendsfortomorrow@gmail.com www.friendsfortomorrow.org |
Grooming and Tacking, Ground work, Hippotherapy, Recreational Riding, Therapeutic Riding |
Greener Pastures at Flying Change Stables 124 Proctor Rd. Chelmsford, MA (978) 244-1144 matthewpatron@comcast.net www.flyingchangestables.com |
4-H, Camps (summer, day, other), Equine Facilitated Experiential Learning, Grooming & Tacking, Recreational Riding, Therapeutic Riding |
Lovelane Special Needs Horseback Riding Program 40 Baker Bridge Rd. Lincoln, MA (781) 259 - 1177 mail@lovelane.org www.lovelane.org |
Camps (summer, day, other), Equine Facilitated Experiential Learning, Grooming & Tacking, Recreational Riding, Therapeutic Riding |
Strongwater Farm Therapeutic Equestrian Center 500 Livingstone St. Tewksbury MA (978) 851-5540 animaltherapy63@hotmail.com www.strongwaterfarm.org |
Camps (summer, day, other), Competition (Special Olympics, Paralympics), Grooming & Tacking, Ground Work, Recreational Riding, Therapeutic Riding |
Friends for Tomorrow, Inc 131 Weston Rd. Lincoln, MA (781) 259-8909 friendsfortomorrow@gmail.com www.friendsfortomorrow.org |
Animal assisted activities with non-equines, Competition (Special Olympics, Paralympics), Equine Facilitated Experiential Learning, Grooming & Tacking, Therapeutic Riding |
Windrush Farm Therapeutic Equitation, Inc. 470 Lacy St. North Andover, MA (978) 682-7855 info@windrushfarm.org www.windrushfarm.org |
Competition (Special Olympics, Paralympics), Drill Team, Equine Facilitated Experiential Learning, Grooming & Tacking, Ground Work, Hippotherapy, Recreational Riding, Therapeutic Riding, Vaulting/Interactive VaultingValue |
Hippotherapy/Equine-assisted therapy
Hippotherapy has been used for nearly 30 years in over 30 countries across the globe to treat children with cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, developmental delays, muscular dystrophy, and sensory impairments. Hippotherapy is a form of therapy for children and adults provided by physical, speech and occupational therapists. Hippotherapy utilizes a horse’s movements to promote positive health benefits. The gait and cadence of the horse provides a slow, rhythmic and repetitive motion that mimics that of natural human reciprocal gait pattern that children with disabilities lack. Therapists use this unique motion to help clients improve balance and coordination, increase muscle tone, and make gains in strength and stamina – all of which are difficult to achieve in the classroom or clinic.
The following sites offer Hippotherapy services. Some of the sites listed below also provide services under the Therapeutic Horseback Riding section.
Hippotherapy has been used for nearly 30 years in over 30 countries across the globe to treat children with cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, developmental delays, muscular dystrophy, and sensory impairments. Hippotherapy is a form of therapy for children and adults provided by physical, speech and occupational therapists. Hippotherapy utilizes a horse’s movements to promote positive health benefits. The gait and cadence of the horse provides a slow, rhythmic and repetitive motion that mimics that of natural human reciprocal gait pattern that children with disabilities lack. Therapists use this unique motion to help clients improve balance and coordination, increase muscle tone, and make gains in strength and stamina – all of which are difficult to achieve in the classroom or clinic.
The following sites offer Hippotherapy services. Some of the sites listed below also provide services under the Therapeutic Horseback Riding section.
Facility |
Additional Information |
Handi Kids (The Bridge Center) 470 Pine St. Bridgewater, MA (508) 697-7557 snorris@handikids.org www.handikids.org |
Utilizes licensed occupational, physical and speech therapists to engage children in horseback activities to meet their individual clinical goals for improved gait, mobility, strength, and balance; sensory processing and modulation skills; and endurance. SLP, PT, and OT available. |
Ironstone Therapy at Ironstone Farm (Challenge Unlimited, Inc) 450 Lowell St. Andover, MA (978) 475 - 4056 info@challengeunlimited.org www.challengeunlimited.org |
Therapists use unique movement of the horse to help clients improve balance and coordination, improve muscle tone, and make gains in strength and stamina. Provides occupational, physical and speech therapy services. |
Therapeutic Riding - Windrush Farm Therapeutic Equitation, Inc. 30 Brookview Rd, Boxford, MA (978) 682-7855 reinbowtherapy@yahoo.com www.windrushfarm.org/hippotherapy.html |
Physical and occupational therapists utilized R.E.I.N.B.O.W. therapy technique using hippotherapy as treatment strategy |
Provides hippotherapy services (OT and PT) and specializes in Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy (EFP). EFP is a form of experiential psychotherapy that involves horses. It has the same goals and characteristics as traditional psychotherapy but utilizes the connection with an equine "co-therapist" to facilitate the progress and healing of the client. |
