Therapeutic

Horses Helping People (HHP)

HHP is a non-profit program designed to provide recreational horseback riding to developmentally and physically challenged persons. Supervised by a registered NARHA Instructor and staffed by trained and dedicated volunteers. Activities are tailored to the needs of individual riders and are designed to be as unrestrictive as possible.

Who can participate?

HHP is available for ages 4 years and older, with no maximum age. Open to people with a wide variety of disabilities and conditions; all riders are eligible if their participation poses no extraordinary threat to the safety of themselves, the staff, or the horse. A release form signed by a physician/clinician is used as a guideline to determine eligibility.

Volunteers

HHP could not exist without the dedicated support of our volunteers! Volunteers go through a thorough training session covering horse safety, mounting and dismounting procedures, horse handling techniques, and incident prevention. Our riders often form a bond with that special volunteer that greatly enhances the riding experience.

Benefits

Many riders report significant physical and emotional growth from their riding. Riders can improve concentration and self-regulation. Muscle tone and balance often improves. Horses give the rider a feeling of freedom, independence, and provide incentives for learning.