Equine-Assisted Activities

Equine Assisted Activities (EAA) offer a unique form of human-equine interaction that provides a personalized learning experience. Through a carefully designed curriculum tailored to individual goals and needs, each EAA session helps participants develop and practice new skills. EAA fosters growth in self-awareness, self-esteem, confidence, problem-solving, emotional regulation, and self-control. While enriching and beneficial for overall wellness, please note that EAA is not considered a form of therapy.

Our EAA program is exclusively focused on groundwork (no riding involved). It’s ideal for those new to horses, individuals who exceed our weight limit, or anyone unable to participate in mounted activities. If you believe your child would benefit from EAA, please complete an application to get started.

Adaptive Riding tailors traditional horseback riding lessons to support students with disabilities. At Manes and Miracles, our weekly mounted lessons focus on teaching horsemanship and riding skills while providing numerous emotional and physical benefits. 

Participants work on skill-based goals through engaging in tasks and activities, which can lead to reduced feelings of depression and anxiety, increased self-esteem, improved focus, enhanced social skills, and a strengthened sense of control and connection. Physically, students may experience gains in strength, coordination, flexibility, and balance.

Our lessons are conducted by our PATH Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor, Rebecca,  and typically involve small groups of 2-3 individuals for one-hour sessions each week. Adaptive Riding can be beneficial for students with conditions such as autism, ADHD, anxiety, depression, Down syndrome, and more. If you believe your child could benefit from Adaptive Riding, please complete an application to get started.

Equine-assisted therapy (EAT), also called Hippotherapy (derived from the Greek word ‘hippos,’ meaning horse) is a specialized form of physical therapy that harnesses the movement of a walking horse to deliver targeted motor and sensory input. 

This approach helps build a foundation for improved neurological function and sensory integration, which enhance children's balance, strength, sitting posture, and sensory processing and can positively impact various daily activities.

It’s important to note that hippotherapy differs from therapeutic horseback riding. While horseback riding focuses on teaching specific riding skills, hippotherapy uses the horse’s movement as a tool to achieve therapeutic goals as part of a professional therapy treatment plan.

 We are not accepting new hippotherapy clients at this time, and there is no waitlist. Children participating in other programs at Manes and Miracles may be considered for equine-assisted therapy when openings become available.