Riding Programs
There are three different ways to ride at Horse Sense:
- Rhythmic Riding (as part of Trauma-Focused Equine Assisted Psychotherapy)
- Therapeutic Riding (for physical, mental and emotional challenges)
- Riding Lessons (for able-bodied folks wanting to learn or to continue to ride)
Read more about each method below!
Rhythmic Riding
Rhythmic Riding will be offered at Horse Sense beginning in Summer of 2012, as part of "Trauma-Focused Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (TF-EAP)", a training available with Tim & Bettina Jobe of NaturalLifemanship.com.
Studies show that functionality of the brain in people who have experienced trauma such as abuse, neglect, combat, or natural disasters is often compromised due to disorganization of connections in the brain. These people often struggle with emotion and impulse control, which results in the inability to appropriately handle even minimal stress. Natural Lifemanship utilizes the rhythmic, patterned, repetitive movement inherent in riding a horse to increase and reorganize the connections in the brain, thereby increasing the brain’s ability for emotion and impulse control. The horse is able to provide the rhythm required to effectively heal the traumatized brain until the client is able to independently provide that rhythm. In effect, clients passively learn to self-regulate through the use of the rhythmic, patterned, repetitive movement of the horse.
In Natural Lifemanship, we use horses to provide a safe, yet mildly stressful environment in which to practice these skills. Before the horse will appropriately control himself, the client must first be in control of his/her own thoughts, emotions, and actions. Many clients live in chaotic, dysfunctional environments, and riding helps them realize that in order to control the chaos around them, they must first control the chaos inside them. Many clients are unable to do deeper, insight-oriented therapeutic work until they are able to bring their level of arousal to a place that allows them to gain and retain insight, and benefit from higher level learning. This level of regulation is most profoundly learned on the back of a horse.
Therapeutic Riding
We offer therapeutic riding lessons for students with physical or emotional challenges. Group lessons are provided through Mountin’ Hopes Therapeutic Riding and private lessons for individuals with special needs are offered through Horse Sense.
Individuals who have benefited from therapeutic horseback riding have had disabilities or conditions including amputations, autism, brain injuries, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, emotional disabilities, hearing impairments, post-polio, learning disabilities, mental retardation, speech impairments, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, cardiovascular accidents, visual impairments, and spina bifida, plus, many other related challenges.
Providing safe therapeutic equine activities also addresses the needs of individuals dealing with alienation, intimidation, and victimization issues which often accompany cognitive and physical challenges, Clients are encouraged through interaction with the horse to explore assertiveness, stress reduction, and emotional fitness skills that allow them to build self-esteem and personal empowerment in the process. Through body awareness in relation to the horse, our program encourages breathing and relaxation techniques promoting multi-sensory awareness and creative expression.
Fees
Therapeutic Lessons through Horse Sense are offered in private session only; 1 hour - $65.00
Horse Sense also partners with Mountin' Hopes to provide Therapeutic Riding. To learn more and sign up to ride at Horse Sense as a Mountin' Hopes client, click here! Mountin' Hopes offers group sessions and scholarships.
Riding Lessons
Lori Araki is our riding school director and volunteer coordinator. She is a vibrant teacher who is also an EAGALA certified Equine Specialist and PATH certified therapeutic riding instructor. Lori has worked professionally with horses and as a riding instructor for more than 20 years, having trained with Charlotte Bredahl-Baker, Wendy Wergeles, Rachel Saavedra, Don Sachey and Victor Hugo Vidal among others. While she was the director of Raintree Ranch Equestrian Center in Santa Barbara, CA, Lori’s riding lesson program placed an emphasis on the relationships between our riders, staff, volunteers and horses while providing a quality equestrian education.
Horse Sense offers a variety of lessons and programs for children and adults with all levels of experience, tailored to each individual’s needs. Beginning lessons have an emphasis on safety making learning to ride an enjoyable experience for students of all ages – even those who have never been close enough to touch a horse.
As students learn to direct and control an animal many times their size, they also practice teamwork, relationship and communication skills, trust, understanding, compassion, and patience.
More advanced students can learn tools and techniques to improve their horses’ top lines, comfort levels and attitudes as well as improve competition performance. Riders will see how their position, timing and what they think affects their horses’ ability to perform and achieve greater harmony with their horses. Ride one of our horses or bring your own. Lori is also available to come to your farm or barn.
Additionally, we offer unmounted horse classes on a donation basis. We teach many aspects of horsemanship with an emphasis on safety. Students learn about the wonder of horses, ground handling skills, grooming, anatomy and basic horse care. The class is generally offered two Saturdays per month in a relaxed and social atmosphere. Sign up for our volunteer newsletter for the horse care class schedule or call to request a date/time for a class. All donations go to our Scholarship Fund which provides Equine Assisted Psychotherapy to families and individuals who otherwise might not be able to afford our services.
Fees
A $10.00 fee will be added for the use of any school horse
All lessons include time for prep and care of the horse
Private Lessons
1 hour - $40.00 1.5 hours- $70.00
Group Lessons
Semi Private 1-2 riders for 1.5 hours - $40/person
Group 3 or more riders for 1.5 hours - $35/person