Our Programs
SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN
Equestrian therapy is particularly applied to children with ADD, anxiety, autism, delay in mental development, down syndrome and other genetic syndromes, depression, trauma and brain injuries, behavior and abuse issues and other mental health issues.
Equine therapy is also an effective technique for many therapists to teach troubled youth on how they learn, react and follow instructions. For example, in a beginners’ horse therapy, the students were asked to get the horse to move outside of a circle without even touching it. Students tried to clap, yell and whistle but the horse didn’t heed the signal. In the same manner, parents, friends and others who are part of a troubled youth’s therapy would learn that yelling, clapping and forcing would not be the best way to make the person do something.
Children who find it hard to speak are taught to use their own words to command the horse on what to do. They learn to use the right words to call the horse including mentioning the horse’s name which eventually improves their confidence as well as develop their speech. The correct interaction of the child with the horse also serves as an essential tool for improving the social skills of the child with respect to humans.
EQUINE THERAPY FOR VETERANS
Depending on a veteran’s disabilities, or emotional problems, an appropriate program will be established for his/her specific needs. Therapeutic riding usually involves a team, including a certified therapeutic riding instructor, two or more volunteers, and a horse, to help an individual ride a horse and work with it on the ground. It can be combined with Equine assisted learning which does not necessarily involve riding, but may include grooming, feeding and ground exercises.
Mental health professionals work with one or more clients and one or more horses in an experiential manner to help the clients learn about themselves and others, while processing or discussing the client's feelings, behaviors, and patterns. The ultimate goal is to help the veteran in social, emotional, cognitive, or behavioral ways.
THERAPEUTIC RIDING
The above described equine therapy will help the following afflictions and disabilities within all age-groups:
ADD & ADHD
Amputations
Autism
Brain Injuries
Cerebral Palsy
Deafness
Developmental or
Cognitive Delay
Down Syndrome
Emotional Disabilities
Learning Disabilities
Multiple Sclerosis
Muscular Dystrophy
Spina Bifida
Stroke
Visual Impairment
RIDING LESSONS
Glory Meadows is dedicated to the proper care, handling, and training of horses & riders alike. We offer a clean, safe environment for both students and horses. Our goal is to maintain a pleasant, upper-class facility to offer a comfortable home for our Secretariat descendants and a safe environment to teach riding skills to any age group. No experience is required, but beginning students are taught basic horsemanship from care and grooming, how to saddle the horse and put the bridle on. Most beginners start with group lessons. Riders are carefully matched with horses to assure a rewarding experience for both rider and horse.
