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Increase balance, muscle control and strength: Horseback riding gently and rhythmically moves the human body in a manner similar to the human walking gait thereby providing the upper and lower body sensation and mental image of walking. It stimulates passive exercise, which increases cardiovascular, musculatory and respiratory strength.
Increase concentration, patience, and discipline: Activities such as grooming, identifying parts of tack, maneuvering through an obstacle course, learning a simple dressage pattern provide opportunities for problem solving, impulse control and sequencing.
Improve social skills and personal relationships. As a social creature, the horse will readily bond with humans with no pre-judgment, in this unique relationship trust and communication can be developed.
Disabilities which can benefit include paralysis, autism, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, amputations, multiple sclerosis, head injury, developmental delays, learning disabilities, spina bifida, deaf, blind, and those who have experienced emotional or physical trauma.
To contact Equi-Ed about student enrollment, call (707) 5-HORSES (546-7737) or email infoequied@aol.com.