In My View
by Taylor Wawrzyniakowski

What is therapeutic riding?
 
Therapeutic riding uses horses for people with disabilities to provide treatment with guidance of a riding instructor. Horses move in a rhythmic motion that is similar to human walking. Horses can change their gait so the rider needs to adjust. Riding promotes strength, balance, coordination, flexibility and confidence. Horses can also be groomed by the rider. Grooming includes brushing, bathing and currying which help joint range of motion and is relaxing and calming.

How therapeutic riding helps me.
 
Since I started riding, I have gotten stronger. My balance and coordination have improved. My confidence is getting better when I ride. I enjoy grooming and caring for the horses.

Where I ride and my instructor.
 
I ride at Midwest Therapeutic Riding Program and my instructor is named Katie. We have worked together over a year and I have learned a lot from her. My favorite part is riding because it is fun! I get to post, jump and practice dressage patterns.

Who are your friends? The horses.
 
A good therapy horse needs to be sound, not have behavior issues and be trainable. If it is not trained as a therapy horse, it will not be a good match for the riders. A therapy horse is calm and sweet and sometimes gives you a nudge on the shoulder. The horse I ride, Aristotle, sometimes nudges me! The horse that I usually ride is Aristotle. He is a Tennessee Walker. He is very sweet and used to be a show horse before coming to Midwest Therapeutic Riding Program. I love him! Chipper is an Appaloosa gelding. I rode him in the fundraising gala. I love him also. The other horses are Amlet, Capri, Hershey, Cameo, and Lily. There are also therapy horses at the stable.

I love riding at Midwest Therapeutic Riding Program!

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