STRIDES receives over 100 e-mails a week asking for more information than our page provides. We can't answer all your questions, but hopefully this page will answer many of them:

Where can I go for training to become a therapeutic riding instructor?

NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association) accredits programs that provide courses in therapeutic riding instruction. Most of these courses will give the test for NARHA Instructor Certification upon completion of the course. To obtain a list of currently accredited courses, contact NARHA by phone at 1-800-369-RIDE, or by mail NARHA PO Box 33150, Denver, CO 80233. Some riding centers (such as STRIDES) also provide instructor courses which are not accredited but do prepare students to take the registered instructor test from NARHA.

Can you send me more information on Therapeutic Riding?
I'm sorry, we can't, but you can get more information from NARHA's home page (http://www.narha.org) or from one of the many therapeutic riding home pages and articles about therapeutic riding on the internet that we have listed on our Links To Other Pages section of our home page. We also have a section called "Resources for Further Information" within this home page, which gives information about articles and books that have been published on this subject. Please understand that we are very busy trying to run a therapeutic riding program, and sending you more information for your research paper, project, etc., requires more time and money than we have. We will, however, endeavor to keep our page up to date on the most recent information as we get it.

How does one get into a therapeutic riding program?
We can't speak for other centers, but our process goes like this: When a call or request is received by us, we send out an application package that includes medical forms, release forms, and information about our program. When we get the forms back, we schedule an evaluation. This is done by an appropriate member of our staff, either an instructor who specializes in the particular disability, or an appropriate therapist. Sometimes it's both. Evaluations are free. Not everyone who is evaluated is accepted into the program. Sometimes there are reasons, for the safety of the rider or our staff, why we cannot accept a rider. We follow NARHA guidelines in making these decisions. Once accepted, a time for weekly sessions is chosen, if available, or the rider is placed on a waiting list until a time becomes available. We make every effort to accept riders into our program as quickly as possible.

What happens once I am accepted? The initial evaluation is used as a basis for creating an individualized plan for the rider. Goals are set for the next 3 months. These may be educational, physical, behavioral, or social goals, or a combination of any of these. Lessons are planned to achieve these goals. At the end of three months, the rider is re-evaluated and new goals are set. If the previous goals have not been met, we assess whether or not the goals were appropriate. If they were, we try a different method or methods to achieve them.

What is a "typical" therapeutic riding session like? There is no such thing as a "typical" session. Each session is designed for the specific needs of the rider. If the riders are physically able to do so, they will learn to groom and tack the horse (put on the saddle and bridle). All riders wear ASTM/SEI approved riding helmets for all equestrian activities. We have a mounting ramp to make it easier for both the rider and the horse to achieve a safe mounting of the horse. Sessions generally begin with stretching activities, then progress to activities planned around the rider's goals. These may include activities for gross and fine motor control, games to improve attention, obstacle courses to develop patterning and memory skills, developmental therapeutic vaulting exercises for balance, control and self-esteem, and much more. If the weather is unfavorable, we may do "ground lessons" to achieve the same goals. Ground lessons include learning about the horse and tack through games and crafts activities, stretching on a mat or vaulting "horse", computer games related to horses, watching videotapes to learn more about correct riding, watching videos of ones own riding to see what is needed to improve, learning how to feed and care for a horse, or other equestrian-related activities.

Where can I find a therapeutic riding center near me?
Ah, that's an easy one. Just click on the following words: Find a Therapeutic Riding Center Near You.

Where can I find copies of the research papers and/or books you have listed? Can you send me copies of the papers?
We don't have copies of all of the papers listed. I found them by doing a literature search at the library. You can find them the same way. If your local library canít find them, try a college or university library. The books have the publishers listed, and can be ordered from the publisher. We are currently in the process of creating a Therapeutic Riding Library online.

Do you accept interns in your program?
Yes, and so do many other therapeutic riding programs. We do NOT offer paid internships, however. Overseas interns interested in coming to the United States should check with their local American Embassy to find out what restrictions are in effect at this time. To learn more about our internship program, click here.

How can I start my own Therapeutic Riding program?
The first step in starting a therapeutic riding program would be to contact NARHA and ask for a "start-up packet". This folder contains advice and practical information for individuals who want to start a therapeutic riding center. Included is information on budgets, personnel, facilities, insurance, funding, equipment, and samples of required federal, state and NARHA forms. It costs $13 and is available to members and non-members. To order, call NARHA at 1-800-369-RIDE, or send your request by mail to NARHA PO Box 33150, Denver, CO 80233.

Do you have any ideas for fund-raising?
This is a question that all therapeutic riding centers have trouble answering. Our program raises funds by having an annual Dinner-Dance-Auction. Many programs apply for grants. Fund-raising depends on the area you are in and the resources available in that area. See what other non-profits in your area are doing, and follow their lead. One hint: Fund-raising is easier if your programís name is known. Get into the paper, on the news, or on the radio as often as you can.

Does insurance pay for therapeutic riding? What about Hippotherapy?
It's up to the individual insurance company, of course, but as a general rule, therapeutic riding is not covered by insurance in the United States. Neither is Hippotherapy, but a licensed therapist may be able to bill for it as a regular therapy session. NARHA also offers a guide to billing insurance for hippotherapy.

Are there any statistics on the success rate of therapeutic riding?
Unfortunately, no. We rely on what our riders have to say about the program, as well as what we see with our own eyes, to let us know what works and how well it works. There are studies that have been done in this country and other countries that indicate that therapeutic riding is effective, but there is still a lot more research that needs to be done.

I am interested in an exchange of ideas and/or getting more information. How can I do this?
This is a very common question. So glad you asked! In response, I am starting up an e-group, where anyone who is interested can send one e-mail that will reach all members. On it, we can ask questions, share idea, and communicate with others all over the world who are interested in therapeutic riding or hippotherapy. The messages will be archived, so you can always look back and find the answers to questions that were asked earlier. No one will be able to get your e-mail address unless you want them to. To join (it's free!) just fill out the form below:

• The History of Therapeutic Riding

• The Benefits Of Therapeutic Riding
• From the Horse's Mouth Stories in their own words by riders and volunteers.
• What's New Special events and announcements.
• Links to other pages: A list of other disability and horse-related references, and general references.
• Find a Therapeutic Riding Center near you!
• Research Articles, Books and Reference Materials

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STRIDES Therapeutic Riding P.O. Box 572455 Tarzana, CA 91357-2455 (818) 341-4737 E-mail: strides@onebox.com