charley

Horse riding is very therapeutic for people with disabilities. My sister has Cerbral Palsey and she rides once a week. It helps her to develop her muscles and she can connect with the horse. This is a girl who can not walk on her own and needs help with practically everything. However riding horses is completely different. She is self-sufficient. It is amazing. Most people whould not think of this but if you know someone with a physical disability that loves animals this is a wonderful thing.

purplefdu

I used to volunteer for therapeutic riding when I was in high school. Its amazing how much such a simple thing can help. I am always happy to see how much it has taken off and how many new centers are popping up to help other people enjoy the benefits of riding.

sallyanna

I have a friend with MS that rides twice weekly. The change she experienced when she started riding was amazing. It really helps. When she's on a horse, she doesn't have to think about how her legs don't work right anymore. She relaxes, and that helps her muscles to work better when she's off the horse too.

beauty

The vet school and childrens hospital where I live joined forces and developed a riding program for kids with Cerebral Palsy as well as other Pervasive Developmental Delays (autism, etc). The kids really come out of their shells and the bonds that are formed are remarkable. Sometimes, the horses are ones that have been previously injured (thus, at the vet school), and arent able to be ridden hard, but are more than capable and VERY willing to have a child just walk around a ring with them.

charley

That is so great that they have a place for these animals and what a great program. It is amazing how the kids help the animals and the animals help the kids.

alexis

I think horses are wonderful to connect with anyone, disability or not. They have been very therapeutic like felines have been for those sick.

charley

Did anyone see Extreme Home Makeover last night? It was all about a woman who ran a therapeutic riding center out of her farm. It was informational and very enlightening. People with all kinds of disabilities and of all ages were there. It was a wonderful show.

gallopingjoe

Italways touched me deep down in my heart when I hear of these types of centers. Being able to do something on their own builds their confidence and self esteem and I think that it is wonderful for them to be able to feel that

beauty

I did not see that one. Did they do additional Home-makeover things to help build a larger stable or anything? There truly can be a lot of different types of people who can be helped by those centers! It's really amazing!

charley

It was really great. They redid the barn and stable and made them both accessible. They did the floors so that wheelchairs could manuver well. The whole show was so inspiring.

beauty

Oh wow! That's incredible! I love the fact that they try so hard to make things functional and amazing for kids who are without in situations like that!