Therapeutic Riding Lessons
Brady offers horsemanship, riding lessons, physical and social therapeutic programs to Bay Area youths as young as four years with physical, emotional and developmental disabilities. Programs and lessons are adapted to meet the needs of each individual participant.
The program fosters emotional and communication skills through interactions with equines, staff and volunteers. Brady also provides much needed respite time for their caregivers. Brady provides vital inclusion opportunities for youth with and without disabilities to socialize and to learn from each other. Parents are often amazed at how much progress their children make in just a few sessions! Sometimes, their new skills even allow them to transition into our vocational skills program.
Children with developmental and/or physical disabilities benefit from riding in multiple ways. The physical movement relaxes tight muscles, increases tone and fosters balance, coordination and control. These improved motor skills also improve sensory processing and can trigger positive behavior changes.
More specifically Therapeutic Riding Lessons provide the following benefits to these students:
Physical Benefits:
Improved coordination and better motor control
Stretching of tight or spastic muscles
Improved balance
Decreased spasticity
Increased range of motion
Cognitive/Educational benefits:
Sequencing, patterning, and motor planning
Improved hand/eye coordination
Improved visual/spatial perception
Counting
Perception and distinction of colors
Encouraged use and development of speech and/or communication
Behavioral benefits:
Increased Attention Span
Sensory Integration
Behavior modification
Social Benefits:
Increased self-esteem and confidence
Increased experiences with Equines
Increased social interactions with staff/volunteers
