Who We Are

Each year participants experience the challenges and rewards of THEP's services.  We serve children and adults with a wide range of special needs, such as Cerebral Palsy, developmental delays, sensory integration disorder, Down Syndrome, traumatic brain injuries, paraplegia, learning disabilities, multiple sclerosis, stroke, mental health issues and behavior challenges.  Physicians, therapists, counselors, teachers, family members and friends refer participants to THEP.  Participants may come to THEP as individuals or as part of a school, recreation, therapy or other group.

At THEP, our equine assisted services benefit the bodies, minds and spirits of our riders.  For riders with physical disabilities, the horse's three-dimensional stride simulates a normal human gait.  It stimulates the rider's pelvis and trunk, and works specific muscle groups.  This gentle rythmic movement helps improve balance, muscle control and tone, motor development and coordination, posture, strength and overall body awareness.  And for some riders, many for the first time in their lives, can experience the freedom and joy of independent movement.

Therapeutic riding and equine assisted activities can be highly effective for children and adults with cognitive disabilities or learning disorders.  Inarguably, the opportunity to be with a horse - on the ground or in a saddle - has been a tremendous motivator for  many of our riders to learn new information and skills for many areas of their lives.  It helps develop concentration, patience, sequencing, letter and symbol recognition and self-discipline.  Furthermore, the opportunity to give verbal commmands to the horse has allowed many of our riders to greatly improve their verbal skills, and has even led to some of our riders speaking for the first time.

For riders with psychological disorders, emotional or behavioral challenges, therapeutic riding and equine assisted activities can offer powerful benefits.  The relationship that can occur between a rider and their horse can help a rider overcome debilitating fears.  As a rider learns that they can have control of a horse, they begin to learn that they can take control of themselves as well.  Trust, impulse control, self-confidence and relationship building are all among the lessons learned.  Riding also feeds the heart.  All riders benefit from increased self-esteem, empowerment, and the relationships they build with peers, horses, nature, volunteers and staff.