About Hearts & Horses Therapeutic Riding Center

Hearts and Horses was founded in 1995 as a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation by Stephanie Keene and a group of dedicated volunteers who believed that riding and caring for horses could profoundly affect the lives of people with disabilities and enable them to live a more fulfilling, complete life despite their challenges.
Hearts and Horses is an affiliated member of the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA).

Who Will Benefit

Hearts and Horses Jesstine riding Scooterbug - Susan B. InstructingTherapeutic Riding Center was founded on the belief that experiencing and riding horses significantly improves the lives of individuals with physical, emotional, and developmental disabilities.

For our physically challenged riders, therapeutic riding improves balance, muscle tone, range of motion and strength.

Our riders who are working through emotional difficulties quickly learn to understand their horses, a first step in understanding themselves.

Our riders with learning disabilities and cognitive challenges benefit from the sensory integration provided through the horse.
All of our riders develop an increase in concentration, self-perception and a sense of empowerment.

What is NARHA?

The North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) promotes equine facilitated therapy and activity programs in the United States and Canada. Currently, more than 650 NARHA program centers serve some 30,000 individuals with disabilities. Each year, dozens of new centers initiate new programs and thousands of individuals profit from these beneficial activities.

Since 1969, NARHA has ensured that therapeutic riding is both safe for, and accessible to, those in need. In that time the field of therapeutic riding has expanded along with the numbers of individuals profiting from involvement with horses. Today NARHA represents a growing number of equine assisted therapies and activities, including recreational riding for individuals with disabilities, hippotherapy, equine assisted psychotherapy, driving, vaulting, competition and other therapeutic and educational interactions with horses.

What is Eagala?

The Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association is a non-profit organization developed to address the need for resources, education, and professionalism in the field of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy.

What is Centered Riding?

Centered Riding is simply a new way of expressing the classical principles of riding. It answers the question of "how", when the riding instructor tells you "what" to do to communicate with your horse. It applies equally to all english and western riding disciplines.

How does it work?

Many people are caught in the trap of unconcious habitual habit. Their bodies know only the old habitual way of movement. Centered Riding, with simplicity and logic, allows you to discover an inner balance, serenity and control that in turn gives you greater freedom of movement, suppleness and coordination. These new qualities are reflected in your horse as increased balance, poise and forward motion. You and your horse become as one, in harmony.

What is the Alexander Technique?

The Alexander Technique is a proven, safe, sef-care method to stop pain, stress and muscular tension caused by everyday misuse of the body. An alternative to traditional methods of postural training, the Technique provides the necessary resources for facilitating change. Benefits of the Technique include; standing upright without strain, alleviation of pain caused by postural stress, and moving with a fluidity and ease many have not experienced since childhood.

Hearts & Horses Therapeutic Riding Center is supported by the following developer(s):