Spirithorse Therapeutic Riding Center

The Spirithorse Therapeutic Riding Center, operating as Spirithorse Connections, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing therapeutic riding lessons to individuals with special needs. Based in California's Central Valley, the organization aims to empower individuals by fostering interactions with horses, promoting personal growth and development.

Mission

The mission of Spirithorse Therapeutic Riding Center is to assist individuals with special needs in reaching their full potential through horse interaction. This goal is achieved by leveraging the therapeutic benefits of horse riding to enhance cognitive, physical, and emotional abilities.

Programs

Therapeutic Riding Programs:

• The center offers specialized therapeutic riding lessons tailored to various disabilities, including Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism, and more.
• These programs are designed to stimulate the vestibular system, contributing to improvements in balance, voluntary and involuntary movements, and even speech development.
• Riders participate in a 97-step curriculum that includes grooming, mounting, riding, and caring for horses, promoting skills like independence and self-confidence.

Riding Programs for Specific Groups:

• Victims of Abuse and Domestic Violence: One-on-one mentorship programs aim to foster trust, self-confidence, and healing through horse interaction.
• At-Risk Youth: The program includes barn management and riding lessons, providing a positive environment that encourages a work ethic and personal responsibility.
• Veterans and PTSD: Programs like "Horses for Heroes" offer therapeutic support for veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Therapeutic Benefits

The therapeutic riding process involves physical interaction that can lead to remarkable milestones, such as a child speaking their first word or walking for the first time. The gentle motion of the horse helps stimulate sensory integration and motor skills development.

Operations and Support

Spirithorse Therapeutic Riding Center is part of the broader SpiritHorse International network. The organization relies on donations to maintain low- or no-cost services for its participants, ensuring that financial constraints do not limit access to its therapeutic programs.