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Program Details

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Activities Offered
  • Camp
  • Hippotherapy
  • Horseback Riding
Building Access
  • Meets ADA standards

Staff Training and Certification
  • Staff Training: Yes
  • Staff Certification:A degree in an applicable field (i.e., Kinesiology, Adapted Physical Education, Therapeutic Recreation), Physical Therapist or PT Assistant, Occupational Therapist or OT Assistant, All instructors are certified by the NARHA

Transportation
  • Accessible by Public Transportation: No

  • Transportation Provided by the Program: No

Notes

High Hopes Therapeutic Riding is a NARHA premier therapeutic riding center and international instructor training facility in Old Lyme, Connecticut, serving people with physical, psychological and emotional disabilities for more than a quarter of a century.

High Hopes brings the benefits of therapeutic riding and equine related activities to over 700 individuals each year. To meet the varying needs of our students, we offer a variety of programs. Foremost are our therapeutic riding classes. Working with trained, certified instructors and physical therapists, we provide weekly therapeutic riding lessons to over 300 children and adults with disabilities.

Programs are customized to meet the needs of each student. Participants include students in school groups from the inner cities of New London, New Haven, and Middlesex Counties. High Hopes also hosts field trip groups from schools and local organizations. During these visits, students receive an introduction to horse grooming, handling, and riding. In addition to bolstering their self esteem, this experience can help improve language and writing skills, enhance self-control, and leave students with a sense of accomplishment.

Children with and without disabilities get a chance to interact every year during the High Hopes Summer Camp program. Lessons in riding, grooming, and general horse care are the main focus, but participants also learn about tolerance, compassion, and respect for differences.