Description
Therapeutic Riding is the core of our program. Certified instructors, with trained volunteers, assist riders to achieve goals, acquire horsemanship skills, and establish a special bond with their horses.
We serve children and adults with a wide range of special needs, such as cerebral palsy, developmental delays, sensory intergration disorder, downs syndrome, traumatic brain injuries, paraplegia, learning disabilities, multiple sclerosis, stroke, mental health issues, and behavior challenges. Physicians, therapists, counselors, teachers, family members, and friends refer participants. State agencies, rehabilitation centers, group homes and schools may refer. Prospect Moun tain staff works closely with families and medical/educational/social services/therapist and educators already involved with our cliens to develop equine facilitated programing. No clinical diagnosis is necessary to participate: however, participants must have a need for our specialized, therapeutic environment.
The relationship that can occur between a rider and their horse can help a rider overcome debilitating fears. As a rider learns that they have control of a horse, they can begin to learn that they can take control of themselves as well. Trust, impulse control,sel-confidence, relationship building and natural consequences are all amoung the lessons learned.
Riding also feeds the heart. All riders benefit from increased self-esteme, empowerment and the relationships they build with peers, horses, volunteer and staff.
For individuals with physical disabilities, the rhythmical walking motion of the horse closley simulates a person's walking gait, and students experience improvements in muscle strength, flexability, balance and coordination.
PMTRC is playing an important complementary role in helping students make significant improvements, resulting in greater functional skills and overall life enhancement.
