The horses are used in a variety of gaits.  Horses are chosen to meet a students needs to achieve a specific riding or social goals.  The horses may be walked and or trotted and horses are led by a horse leader or can be independently controlled by the student.

A student usually has enough sitting balance and head control to sit on the back of the horses. Compensations for some students are made to enable them to effectively control the horses or to perform specific riding skills. A therapeutic riding instructor will use various techniques to achieve riding skills and goals.

Volunteers are a big part of this program because without them we can not operate efficiently. Volunteers are utilized as side walkers and horse leaders. Side walkers are trained volunteers to keep a student safely on the back of the horse and to eliminate falls. The horse leader on the other hand is trained to lead the horse and be able to keep the horse under their control.

The riding instructor is in charge of the lesson and its plans. They also document the student’s progress. They are in charge of the entire class which means the students, side walkers, horse handlers and bystanders. They make sure the lesson is safe and that everyone involved is doing their specific job.

Therapeutic ridding lessons use a variety of equipment to meet each student’s specific needs. Equipment may include saddles, bridles, surcingles, bare back pads, and reins just to name a few. The equipment used is to promote stability to each student and enhance their ability to control the horse in order to achieve specific riding skills and goals.

Therapeutic riding instructors are trained how to give riding lessons and to make goals for individuals with disabilities, and not how to provide therapy treatment.

Benefits include improvement in: Trunk control, balance, muscle tone, and strength Fine motor coordination Range of motion and joint mobility Spatial awareness and perceptual skills Sensory integration and concentration Cognitive skills, speech and language skills Self-discipline and self-awareness Confidence, pride and self-esteem