Font Size:
TREC is dedicated to enhancing the physical, mental, emotional and social well-being of special needs individuals through safe equine assisted activities.
Horseback riding is particularly beneficial for wheelchair users. The movement of the horse relaxes and stimulates unused muscles, builds tone, strength and coordination. The warmth of the horse's body can soothe tight muscles and increase joint mobility.
A sense of accomplishment can be seen in the broad smile worn sooner or later by nearly every rider. The ability to ride can give a tremendous sense of accomplishment to persons with intellectual or physical challenges. In addition, a client horse show is held to show off their skills.
Therapeutic riding students are able to learn to mount, walk, trot, canter, do exercises on horseback, dismount and "run up the irons". Their interest in horses provides new incentives for learning. Vocabularies and attention spans increase, endurance increases, socializing is enhanced by the common bond with fellow students, and new friendships are formed with the volunteers.
As the animal responds to the rider's wishes, spirits soar. By simply being at a height far above others, with a new mobility and independence, the rider becomes free of his mechanical aids and restrictions.
