Benefits

The documented benefits of therapeutic horseback riding are great. They can be seen in the following:

• speech
• movement
• balance
• strength
• emotional health
• motivation

Therapeutic horseback riding is a growing resource for health, behavioral and educational specialists.

Students who have lost the ability to move in a three-dimensional way, make great progress through the experience of riding and reintegrating the use of:

• muscles
• mental processing
• motor planning and strength
• moving closer to independent living goals

Students termed “at risk” benefit from the emotional bond of handling the horse, performing tasks of responsible care-giving as well as the accomplishment of horsemanship skills, that carry over to the home, family relationships, self-esteem and school activities.

Bit by Bit has been the site of first time speech motivated by the desire to communicate with the horse and we often hear reports of lessened falling due to improved balance.