Tara's
Chance
Where therapy feels like play
Take a little boy, who had a stroke before he was born and has limited use of his right arm and leg. Watch him balance himself atop a chestnut mare. Could his hand be made strong enough to catch a ball, or clutch a crayon to draw a picture for his daddy? Or the teenage girl who is living in a group home due to no fault of her own and discovers a friend in a horse.
Established in September of 2012, this exciting concept in equestrian therapy combines vaulting (gymnastics on a moving horse) and therapeutic riding resulting in exceptional goal orientated programs for special needs children. A place where therapy seems like play.
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The goals and benefits are different for every child, depending on their individual needs. The movement of the horse causes an inherent response from the child, relaxing muscles that are tight, increasing tone in muscles that are weak, building balance, coordination and control, which in turn enables children to use hands and arms, sit, stand and walk
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Children, who are not invited to participate in soccer games or ballet performances, can, through equestrian therapy, be enabled not only to make extraordinary physical, cognitive, and emotional changes, but to participate and succeed in a real sport and take pride in performing for family and friends.