Sensory trails are often utilized in therapeutic riding to provide a new perspective to clients and stimulate all the senses. Sensory trails combine natural and man-made elements that challenge a client’s balance, encourages interaction, and stimulates the senses. They offer a unique opportunity to experience the outdoors from atop a moving being.
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Precautions and contraindications are an important consideration of equine assisted activities and therapies (EAAT). Precautions are concerns that need to be further investigated by talking to a physician, mental health professional, or therapist who treats the client. Contraindications mean that the activity is inappropriate.
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Using the reins is one of the fundamental horseback riding skills. The reins are only used to stop and steer the horse and steering is what we teach after riders learn to whoa. Proper steering requires riders to use arms independently in a forward-back movement. It involves the shoulders, wrists, fingers, core, eyes, and head.
Continue readingTrust is an important part of any relationship. It is what we need to have an effective partnership with our horses and is a good foundation for any relationship. Some people subscribe to the “trust is earned” mantra but I tend to trust from the start, especially with my horses. I build trust with my horses through trust exercises.
Continue readingEvery horse is perfect. Every client is capable. As we return to lessons and our barns fill up with clients and volunteers and our horses take on a workload again, it is important to have grace for everyone.
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The Equine Impact 