Adaptive Riding at Shining Hope Farms
An equine assisted activity
Adaptive riding (also known as therapeutic riding) is an equine-assisted activity for the purpose of contributing positively to the cognitive, physical, emotional, and social well-being of individuals with special needs.
A PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor conducts these group lessons where the individuals participate in games and activities that help with balance and coordination while riding their horses. The lessons are recreational in nature and the riders are assisted by a horse leader and side walkers which provide an enjoyable social environment. Basic riding and horsemanship skills are taught throughout the sessions.
If you’re interested in learning more about adaptive riding at Shining Hope Farms, please contact us today.
Benefits of ADAPTIVE Riding
Physical Improvements
such as increased balance, trunk control, fine and gross motor coordination, flexibility, and muscle strength.
Emotional stability
to improve self-image, confidence, self-esteem, and independence.
Social interaction
to gain ability to work with others, increase cooperation, teamwork, and responsibility.
Cognitive improvements
such as increased attention span, motivation, vocabulary, memory, and concentration.
Serving Veterans
We also offer adaptive riding to veterans in our Saddles and Salutes program.
The equine’s stride provides multidimensional movement, which is variable, rhythmic, and repetitive. The horse provides a dynamic base of support, making it an excellent tool for increasing trunk control, balance, postural strength, weight bearing, and motor planning. It offers well-modulated sensory input to vestibular, proprioceptive, tactile, and visual channels. When a client is sitting on the horse, the horse’s walking gait facilitates movement responses remarkably similar to the human gait. The effects of equine movement on postural control, sensory systems, and motor planning can be used to improve coordination, timing, grading of responses, respiratory control, sensory integration, and attention. Equine movement is used to facilitate body systems that support our daily living skills.
Riding Instructors
Jules Hearn
Assistant Instructor & Equine Assisted Learning Facilitator
Marissa Lenze
Lead Instructor Charlotte, PATH Intl. CTRI
Allison Patterson
Assistant to Director of Programs, Lead Instructor Charlotte & Pony Club, PATH Intl. CTRI
Julie Wilkins
PATH Intl. CTRI, PATH Intl. Equine Specialist
Catherine Zeigler
Lead Instructor Mt. Holly, PATH Intl. CTRI
Specially Trained & Certified Staff
Our instructors are certified by PATH Intl. (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship). All instructors must complete a comprehensive training program which includes supervised student teaching, CPR and first aid verification, extensive reading, and riding experience. In addition to our human instructors, each of our horses undergoes careful screening to ensure he or she has the appropriate disposition, physical movement, and level of training necessary for adaptive riding.
Doctors' RX Required
Each client must provide a doctor’s prescription to participate. When paperwork is received, our instructors will conduct a thorough initial evaluation of each client and formulate functional goals. Progress updates are conducted every six months to evaluate client progress.
ESA+ Provider
Shining Hope Farms is an enrolled provider for the ESA+ scholarship and is approved to accept ESA+ scholarship funds. North Carolina families can use ESA+ scholarship funds to pay for certain qualifying education expenses, such as educational therapy, tutoring and supplemental teaching services, and transportation to and from an educational activity, subject to review and approval by SEAA.