the best therapy is

horseback riding helps so much

when you have weak muscles

and joints

autism

mental challenges

nothing better

for confidence and

building strength

and learning to care

for an animal

is working with horses

this is "Sweetie" she will carry a new adult

rider tonite

volunteers are grooming and checking for ticks

leg problems, etc 

there are 5 horses

and 4 of them are well trained

one is an arabian and is going

to carry someone on her back one night this season

she is a new therapy horse and needs warming up

and saddling and lots of lunging!  She is pretty much ready to go this year.

 this is her "Lady"

Brian warms up "Fudge"

this arena has been used for the owners own

western/equestrian competitions

but she also shares this arena for the PTRA (Parkland Therapeutic Riding Association)

and it has been 23 years! 

Her name is Karen and she trains the horses and the volunteers

for the therapeutic riding coach who comes in every week

to give riding instruction to all the clients

the horses are brought up to the edge of this ramp

and trained to stand still while the rider is placed in the

saddle 

all clients/riders are placed on the horse

with a certified coach of therapeutic riding

she is the final boss that the saddle, stirrups, reins, safety belts

and sometimes buddy stirrups are used correctly and
cinched tightly before the rider walks on.

there are 10 mentally challenged or handicapped

clients that ride, ranging from about 10 years to 50 years old

I side-walk beside the rider and sometimes I help with holding props up

for the relay games and groom the horses and ensure that

the heavy doors at either end are closed once all riders are saddled. 

lots of rules and insurance restrictions with a Therapeutic Riding Centre

they are governed by National standards and visits are made yearly

to the arena and owners to ensure no liabilities occur.

It is a very good thing!