195 Refugio Road
Santa Ynez, CA
(805) 686-6739
About Us
About Therapeutic Riding: Therapeutic riding uses equine oriented activities and the horse's strength and spirit to enhance the cognitive, physical, emotional and social well-being of people with disabilities.
Therapeutic riding has been recognized by the American Physical Therapy Association and the Occupational Therapy Association as effective in easing symptoms associated with the following disabilities: Amputations, Autism, Brain Injuries, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Emotional Disorders, Hearing Impairments, Learning Disabilities, Mental Retardation, Multiple Sclerosis, Post Polio Syndrome, Speech Impairments, Spina Bifida, Spinal Cord Injuries, Visual Impairments, Cardiovascular Disease, Accident/Stroke.
Our Program:
This program was developed in 1990 by Dr. Mary Ann Evans and her family. It moved to its present location in 1999.
Our riding facility is a premier accredited member of North American Riding for the Handicapped (NARHA) and our horses have passed a strict safety rating based on the NARHA system to provide the safest experience possible.
The loving staff of the Santa Ynez Valley Therapeutic Riding Program consists of instructors certified by NARHA and trained volunteers dedicated to enhancing the lives of the participants.
Physical Benefits:
- Normalizes and improves muscle tone
- Improves balance & coordination
- Decreases tactile sensitivities
- Improves gross & fine motor skills
- Increases cardiovascular capacity
Psychological Benefits:
- Increases self esteem & confidence
- Enhances concentration & attention
- Helps develop language & cognitive skills
- Develops solving & sequencing
- Relieves depression
- Provides motivation
