Equine Assisted Therapy Programs

Winston Churchill once said that there is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man. That sentiment holds true for people with disabilities, whether of a physical, mental or emotional nature. Equine-assisted therapy programs help those with physical disabilities learn balance and aid with muscle tone and development, along with providing psychological benefits. Those with emotional or mental disorders work with professionals for specific goal achievement. As therapy, it also happens to be a lot of fun.

Equine Assisted Therapy (Centerburg, Ohio)

• Held at Willow Farm, this non-profit organization offers therapeutic riding for people with disabilities. It is a member center of the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA), the governing body of equine-assisted therapy. The program features sessions on grooming, tacking up the horse, sensory trail rides and games, along with group instruction. The goal is to have the rider become as independent as their ability permits. The backbone of any successful equine-assisted therapy program is the volunteers, and all volunteers go through a training process.

  Equine Assisted Therapy
  7908 Myers Road
  Centerburg, Ohio 43011
  740-625-9324
  equineassistedtherapy.org

Rancho Bosque (Tucson, Arizona)

• Set on 17 acres, Rancho Bosque features both equine-assisted therapy and equine-assisted learning programs, using horses as a component of psychotherapy for at-risk youth. It also offers classes for teachers and counselors in both fields. The instruction arena is specially constructed with drainage and footing designed for safety. Classrooms are on-site for seminars. Equine-assisted therapy courses are held for cancer survivors, and seminars are held for specific disorders such as anorexia, obsessive-compulsive behavior and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder as they relate to equine assisted therapy. Rancho Bosque has a satellite facility in Ireland.

  Rancho Bosque
  8649 East Woodland Road
  Tucson, AZ 85749
  520- 760-4468
  ranchobosque.com

Equine-Assisted Therapy, Inc. (Robertsville, Missouri)

• Volunteers and instructors work with clients in the St. Louis area, providing therapeutic riding instruction to individuals with developmental disabilities. This NARHA-certified non-profit charges a low fee for classes, and the bulk of their funding comes from grants, donations and fundraising. The program has three locations to provide easier access to St. Louis residents. It also seeks sponsorships for its dozen therapy horses, the key to any successful equine-assisted therapy. Horses in these programs must be kind, sturdy and unflappable, as their riders usually have severe limitations.

  Equine-Assisted Therapy, Inc.
  5591 Calvey Creek Road
  Robertsville, MO 63072
  314-221-3642
  equine-assistedtherapy.org