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Willow
Farm
Therapeutic
Riding Program
“There’s nothing as good for
the inside of a man
as the outside of a horse”
-Theodore Roosevelt
“We at the Willow Farm Therapeutic Riding Program Believe that’s especially true for
children with special needs”
What our special riders learn
Who Teaches The Program?
Program Requirements
More information
Our special riders learn
Safe riding skills
Basic care and feeding of horses
Safe horse handling
Grooming techniques
Soon our participants define themselves as
“Someone who knows about horses”
Someone special for a reason that has nothing to do with special needs.
Participants not only learn to ride, they also learn how to take care of horses as well as basic horse anatomy. We take great care to match horses with riders, taking into account the individual needs and personality of both the hors and the child.
The bond that forms between both horse and rider fosters increased confidence, patience and self-esteem. Children sit taller…focus better…smile and laugh more
This interdependence between the horse and rider and between the horse, rider and volunteers is part of what makes therapeutic riding uniquely valuable.
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Who is
the Therapeutic Riding Program
Under the direction of certified instructors, volunteers including members of the Superior Pony Club, help to assist program coordinators in a number of ways: side walkers, leaders, horse management teachers, participants and greeters. All members are integral parts of our structured program.
Therapeutic Riding Program Requirements
When children see the world from the back of a horse it changes their view…their view of the world around them…and their view of themselves. Program participants come to us both through referrals from local agencies and by individual application. All prospective riders are required to complete a medical history and have a statement signed by their physician. Students are also required to have been seizure free for a minimum of six months.
Many medical professionals including the American Physical Therapy Association and the American Occupational Therapy Association have long recognized the therapeutic qualities of horseback riding.
Every year, more and more people with physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities discover the benefits of therapeutic horseback riding
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For
More Information
For more information, or to learn how you can help, please call one of our program co-coordinators
Julie Frazier (906) 249-3649
Linda Mellon (906) 228-4666
Luanne Peterson (906) 249-9420
Willow Farm Therapeutic Riding Program
5049 U.S. 41
Marquette, Michigan 49855
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