EQUEST CENTER FOR THERAPEUTIC RIDING INC
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Mission Statement
Mission Statement: We improve quality of Life through equine-based therapy to physically, mentally and socially/emotionally challenged individuals. Our unique program integrates academic, social and physical skills using the horse as a catalyst. Equest also provides a meaningful community outreach program to businesses, schools, juvenile programs and youth organizations willing to accept the opportunity to become trained volunteers in the program. We are committed to collaborating with as many organizations as possible to provide quality therapy programs. Equest Center serves 185+ individuals of all ages each week on a year round basis with a waiting list of 70 + waiting to participate. Equest is the ONLY year round therapeutic Riding program in our area and one of the two largest programs in Michigan. Vital to our program is our dedicated crew of trained volunteers who have donated over 60,000 hours of service this past year alone.
About This Cause
Equest Center for Therapeutic Riding, Inc. was founded in June, 1990. The first therapy classes began in February, 1991 with 16 riders per week on 7 acres of land. Since that time the facility has grown to serve 185+ special needs individuals each week on 34 acres of land with 75+ children on the list waiting to participate in Equest’s programs. Our facility is the ONLY year-round facility in the area which is a critical piece for many individuals with disabilities. This helps to prevent regression and foster greater physical, mental, emotional and social improvement and benefits experienced due to a consistent riding therapy schedule throughout the year. Horseback riding transports individuals with special needs into a new, unexplored world providing a sense of independence and freedom that defies disabilities. When riding, individuals escape their braces, crutches, wheelchairs and disabilities, replacing them with the gentle gait of a well-trained horse. Therapeutic Riding and equine therapy is widely recognized as an effective rehabilitation tool in the treatment of children and adults experiencing a wide range of physical, cognitive, developmental, and social/ emotional disabilities. Therapeutic Riding provides a unique multi-sensory therapeutic experience unduplicated in standard physical therapy sessions. For those who are learning to walk, or re-learning to walk due to stroke, brain injury or other disability, therapeutic riding is invaluable. The three-dimensional movements of the horse’s back during a walk—up and down, side to side, and front to back—transmits a sensorimotor experience to the rider closely mimicking the input received during the normal human gait. This provides a normal sensorimotor experience contributing to the maintenance, development, rehabilitation and enhancement of physical skills. The movement of the horse throughout the therapeutic riding session promotes improved balance, muscle tone and flexibility. From the moment the riders mount, the horses’ movement facilitates strengthening of core muscles (postural muscles along the spine). Instructors strategically place clients in a variety of positions (sideways, backwards) on the horse while riding. Each position change requires the client to refocus and find their center of balance. The varied positions and the horse’s gaits engage additional muscle groups in new ways. Throughout each lesson, riders engage in specific activities, exercises and riding skills designed to improve balance, muscle strength, coordination, flexibility, joint movement, and fine/gross motor skills. Many studies have supported these improvements. In a study by Hammer, Nilsgard, Forsgerg, Pepa, Skargren & Oberg (2005) involving patients with multiple Sclerosis, marked improvements were seen in the areas of gait, spastisity, functional strength, coordination, painrelief emotion and balance. A study testing the effectiveness of therapeutic riding in children with cerebral palsy by Benda, McGibbon and Grand (2003) showed significant improvement in symmetry of muscle activity in children with spastic cerebral palsy and credits the movement of the horse rather than passive stretching for the measured improvements. Another study by Sterba, Rogers, France & Vokes (2002) involving 17 participants with cerebral palsy over an 18 week time period found that therapeutic riding improved the gross motor function in children with CP, which may reduce the degree of motor disability. In yet another study by Burkland and Eelmae (2000) dealing with young individuals ages 9-12 with mild or severe mental retardation, statistically significant improvements were seen in the areas of posture and balance. Therapeutic Riding can benefit people with many different physical disabilities, including muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, amputation, paralysis, spina bifida, and down's syndrome among others. People with various cognitive disabilities can be helped through horseback riding. Therapeutic Riding provides excellent opportunities for activities targeting specific skills including following directions, sequencing, problem solving, reasoning, attentional, and memory skills among others. Riding builds knowledge as time progresses and simple tasks grow into complex skills providing the rider with needed intellectual stimulation. Many disabilities are accompanied by speech and language difficulties and delays which can be devastating to learning, interpersonal relationships and critical everyday functioning. A study comparing traditional speech therapy with therapeutic riding by Macauley & Gutierrez (2004) involved children ages 9 to 12 and showed higher gains in speech and language capabilities in the group following therapeutic riding, with additional benefits of improved motivation and attention noted. Individuals with emotional, social and psychological disabilities benefit in similar ways. A study conducted by Hannah Burgon found that Therapeutic Riding increased confidence and improved self-concept, aided social stimulation and lead to acquisition of transferable skills. Results in an additional study by Kaiser, Smith, Heleski and Spence (2006) showed a significant decrease in anger and behavior problems in at risk youth after participating in just one 8 week therapeutic riding session. Riding helps students interact with others and form meaningful relationships with horses and people. Building a relationship with an animal is rewarding in many aspects; for a person with an emotional, social or psychological disability, the trust and loyalty an animal shows for people demonstrates how important these attributes are in personal relationships. Because of the innately rich sensory environment involved, Therapeutic Riding benefits those with sensory processing issues. Sensory Processing Disorder is a complex disorder of the brain affecting developing children and adults. People with SPD misinterpret everyday sensory information, such as touch, sound and movement. There are several types of Sensory Processing Disorder; each one may result in a number of different behavioral and sensory patterns that may cause severe and debilitating motor, attentional and behavior patterns. The combination of all aspects of horseback riding, the various tasks and activities directed by the riding instructors, the sensory rich environment of the trail and the warm, accepting, caring atmosphere in a Therapeutic Riding setting provide outstanding opportunities for individuals with Sensory Processing Disorder to learn to effectively manage their responses to sensations and live, learn and love in a more functional manner. A study by Chandler (2003) showed significant and positive change in sensory processing capabilities both from an individual and occupational perspective after participating in therapeutic riding for only 1 week. No two riders are exactly the same. Most clients have a primary disability coupled with secondary disabilities. Disabilities range from mild to severe. Each client has their own strengths, areas of need, likes, and dislikes. The Therapeutic Riding program is designed to meet each rider’s special needs. Equest instructors are certified by the Professional Association of therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH). Our staff includes licensed teachers and degreed professionals. Because of its varied benefits, Therapeutic Riding has been recognized as a beneficial mode of therapy by the American Physical and Occupational Therapy Associations. At Equest Center riders astride specially trained horses enjoy lessons designed to promote skills in the following areas: Physical Benefits- Improved balance, posture & coordination (fine and gross motor skills), faster reflexes, improved motor planning, stretching of tight or spastic muscles, decreased spasticity, increased range of motion, reduction of abnormal movement patterns, improved respiration and circulation, improved appetite and digestion, provides sensory integration, normalization of muscle tone, increased strength & stamina, endurance and relaxation. Mental Benefits– Strengthens auditory short term memory, improves visual memory, sequencing, patterning and motor-planning, improves math and reading skills, problem solving, spatial relationships, strengthens ability to follow directions, improved eye-hand coordination Social / Emotional Benefits- Provides general sense of well-being, improved self confidence, Increased interest in outside world and interest in one Programming at Equest includes: • Therapeutic Riding program ~ serving individuals with physical mental & emotional disabilities on horseback • Music Therapy on Horseback ~ in conjunction with Therapeutic Riding Program. We have a licensed Music therapist on our staff providing this unique programming to our special needs individuals • Senior Saturdays ~ Connecting with the Elderly in our Community • Vocational & Job Training Programs ~ Working with transition-aged individuals with special needs from various school districts and individual homes • Horses for Heroes ~ serving injured Military & U.S. Veterans • Summer Horsemanship Day Camp / Special Star Horsemanship Day Camp • Horses as Healers ~ partnering with Gilda's Club and individuals who have been touched by cancer • Horses and Hands ~ Volunteer partnerships with hundreds of organizations, boy scouts, girl scouts, churches, schools, businesses for group volunteer opportunities. • Equine Facilitated Learning • Sensory Riding Trail – Mile-long outdoor riding trail with specialized sensory stations and pathways to serve the needs of those with Sensory Processing Disorder • Carriage & Cart Driving program ~ coming soon! • On site, hands on learning and internship opportunities and partnerships with Colleges, medical teaching institutions, as well as high schools in the area.