Youth After Drug Rehab Program

SpiritHorse Therapeutic provides free, weekly therapeutic riding lessons for people of all ages with disabilities. We serve adults with multiple sclerosis. We also have a "Children Who are Victims of Abuse" and an "At-Risk-Youth" program. Click on these topics above for more information on these programs.

Lessons are provided Tuesday through Sunday, 730A till 830P. Scheduling is difficult with 425 riders and an average of 5 applicants each week, but we always find a way. We do not have a waiting list. Our goal is to schedule a rider within two weeks of the completion of their application. For applications, click on Application, above.

We teach riding but our principal goal is therapy. We currently have 15 therapy ponies and horses in our program. Their average age is 20 years and they have an average of 15 years excellent training and experience. They are selected very carefully for their gentleness, level of training, and love of their work.

Lessons start with the rider leading the pony or horse from the pasture gate to the barn, to the ability they have and can develop. Our ponies and horses lead from wheelchairs, walkers, and canes. Many of our two year-old children with disabilities lead their ponies independently. If the child is in their mother (or father's) arms we place the lead rope in their hands and they lead their pony. All participate.

The rider then assists with grooming to the ability they have and can develop. They carry their own saddle or blanket or girth, depending upon their ability at that time, and help saddle their pony or horse. We have found that this participation becomes a very important part of the lesson to our riders. Those with cognitive disabilities learn sequencing, two step task execution, following instructions, and work-reward. They also develop a stronger bond with their pony or horse. Many of our riders look forward to this element as much as to their riding lesson. The leading, grooming, and saddling portion of the lesson usually lasts about 15 minutes.

Riders lead their pony or horse to the mounting ramp and the instructor leads the pony into the ramp. At least one of our parents is required to be sidewalkers for their child. They assist the rider up the ramp, where over time we work to have the rider become self-sufficient in mounting. This provides a greater sense of control and pride in being able to do most of the mount on their own.

The ridden portion of the lesson starts with a trail ride down a wooded road and trail, lead by the instructor and protected by one or two sidewalkers, depending upon their needs. As the lesson progresses, and child starts to develop balance we provide exercises and riding development in a very small ring, in which the pony or horse is controlled by the instructor using a rope called a lunge line. When the rider develops sufficient balance, over time, we begin to have the sidewalker step aside in the ring so that the rider will further develop balance, and with its development, safe riding skills.

We proceed in carefully developed and tested steps, with safety foremost, to develop the rider's balance and horsemanship skills. It is our goal to eventually have each of our riders be independent, under controlled conditions.

The ridden portion of the lesson is designed to last 30 minutes, with shorter times for our smallest and beginning riders, and longer times for our more advanced riders.

Following the ridden portion, the rider leads the horse or pony to the barn and assists in unsaddling, grooming, and putting away the pony.

The movement of the horse or pony stimulates the rider's vestibular system (inner ear) which not only controls balance, but all voluntary movement of the body, including speech. Half way through the lesson, our students who have an under-stimulated vestibular system (one form of sensory integration dysfunction) become more active vocally and in body movement.

We have, in 5 years, heard 38 children speak the first word of their lives, seen 30 children walk for the first time, and seen 28 children sit up for the first time on one of our ponies. More information is available by calling our office at (940) 497-2946.