EAR includes a wide variety of equine activities and therapies designed for students with disabilities or diverse needs. It includes mounted and unmounted activities and offers therapeutic benefits for students with a wide range of physical, cognitive, social, and emotional conditions.
 

The program enables students to develop a deep connection with horses. Students learn horsemanship and riding skills in an environment tailored to their individual needs. Caring for and connecting physically to horses is a proven way of reducing stress, improving mood and creating a learning environment that opens a path to physical and cognitive growth and healing. With the combination of a trusted horse, instructor, and group of volunteers, students become more willing to try new things and attain new goals.
 

Horses by nature are non-judgmental and they often mirror the attitudes and behaviors of those they are working with.  As students engage with horses they not only strengthen and heal, they find themselves developing a relationship and opening themselves up to be more trusting. Our program is based on a progressive skill-building methodology where students work with certified instructors to achieve particular personal goals. Each lesson plan is based on the student’s short and long-term goals and needs. Instructors guide students through lessons in basic horse care and observing horse behavior and may progress over time to independent riding.

​

WHO WE SERVE:
 

We serve individuals of all backgrounds and physical levels. Our equine therapy program can help, but is not limited to, the following conditions:

• Autism

• Developmental delay or disability

• ADD/ADHD

• Learning disability

• Cerebral Palsy

• Down Syndrome

• Emotional, behavioral, or mental health issues

• Head trauma/brain injury

• Hearing impairment

• Visual impairment

• Genetic conditions/disorders

• Multiple Sclerosis

• Intellectual disability

• Youth identified as “at-risk”

• Stroke

• PTSD

• Muscular Dystrophy

• Spina Bifida

• Paralysis

• Spinal cord injury

​

The EAR program operates 50 weeks out of the year. Each rider schedules the therapy times and frequency with the instructor. Therapy sessions are one hour long. The rider and family will choose the amount of rides each month, we recommend beginning once a week for the first 8 weeks to best learn and practice new concepts. The riding fee for a is $70 for each therapy session. This program does not currently offer scholarships to participants. Riders must be 5 years of age, there is no age limit. Riders must weigh less than 150 pounds.   

​

Enrollment Process 

1. Submit the required forms above  

2. After receiving all completed forms, we will call or email you to schedule an evaluation ride

3. Following the evaluation ride you will be contacted by the instructor that will work with you going forward to schedule your first riding session which will include developing a therapy plan and goals together