What Are Equine-Assisted Activities?
Equine-Assisted Activities
Equine-Assisted Activities (EAA) serves as an umbrella for a variety of horse-related services such as: Adaptive Riding, Ground-Based activities, Horsemanship, Horsemanship Camps, Recreational activities, Team Building, and Horse Grooming.
Equine-Assisted Activities are used for individuals with disabilities and/or limitations such as (but not limited to) physical, cognitive, behavioral, developmental, and emotional challenges. Research has shown that the motion of a horse’s gait mimics those of the natural human walk. The movement patterns from a horse can provide sensory stimulus to participants in real time encouraging experiential learning and positive outcomes for individual goals.
THE EXCEPTIONAL PROGRAMS WE OFFER
NDR provides equine-assisted activities (EAA) for people with disabilities/limitations ages 4 and up. Our exceptional staff has over 40 years of combined experience working with horses and those with disabilities and/or limitations.
Adaptive Riding, Ground-Based and Horsemanship
Benefits of Equine-Assisted Activities
People with physical, mental, and psychological disabilities/limitations have benefited from the experiential learning aspects of equine-assisted activities. Involvement is an enjoyable and relaxing experience that provides benefits in the areas of socialization, mobility, and overall improved quality of life. The horse is a strong motivator for accomplishing these goals.
Equine-assisted activities can help to increase the brain and body connection leading to improved balance and strength, improved problem solving, building trust and social connections, and improved verbal and non-verbal communication. When family members observe the progress toward the individualized goals of their loved one, they are able to acknowledge their hard work and growth.
The History of (Therapeutic) Adaptive Riding
NDR Therapeutic Riding
"Therapeutic" Adaptive riding has been available in the United States since the 1960s. It is considered a recreational equine-assisted activity as the service is provided by a riding instructor and not a licensed mental health, occupational, physical or speech therapist. Therapeutic riding is “adaptive” horsemanship for people with disabilities/limitations. Horsemanship is for people ages 4 and up without disabilities/limitations. Both are composed of a structured interaction with the rider, instructor, volunteers, and horse.
NDR’s PATH, Intl. certified instructors provide a safe environment where participants/riders can enjoy "experiential" or real time learning. It is an exercise in mind and body that offers lesson plans that are sensitive to each participant/rider’s needs. NDR instructors develop participant/rider-centered plans that improve riders balance, coordination, focus and muscle strength. These benefits, along with their improved self-confidence, will allow each participant/rider to work towards their individual adaptive riding and/or horsemanship goals.
Are you considering equine-assisted activities to help with your current challenges?
We care about our participants and individualize each lesson plan to reach the best results for them. Contact us to get started.