After visiting the RDA of Hong Kong, I was impressed with the thorough methods they utilized to train their therapeutic riding instructors.  They provided their student teachers with a study guide which directed them to various resources, asked specific questions which the student teachers were required to answer, and had pages for the student teachers to fill out and have signed which demonstrated what books they had read, what classes they had taught, and what clinics they had attended.

It has long been a personal frustration that so many of the NARHA Registered Instructors have very little knowledge largely because it is so difficult and expensive to find the information they need.  Even the RDA study guide did not provide all that much information, just a road map for where to find it.  

The solution was found in combining the home study guide concept that the RDA uses with articles that provide the needed information, as well as a thorough resource guide.  Recognizing that we don't have enough NARHA Advanced Instructors to serve as mentors, I felt that the study guide could be used by existing NARHA Registered Instructors to bring their own level of knowledge up high enough for them to serve as mentors for student instructors.  For this reason, the Home Study Guide has been designed to provide not only the information needed to pass the NARHA Registered Instructor's Exam, but also most of what is needed to pass the NARHA Advanced Instructor's Exam as well.

The Home Study Guide has been separated into two books, each around 90 pages.  Book 1 deals with an understanding of disabilities and how therapeutic riding is used to assist riders with these disabilities.  It also provides a background on NARHA.  
Book 1 Table of Contents

Suggested Resources                                         

Section 1 – Understanding Therapeutic Riding       
    NARHA Divisions of Therapeutic Riding           
    The Benefits of Therapeutic Riding                  
    Home Study Report for Section 1         

Section 2 – Movement and Disability               
    Understanding Human Development         
    Movement and Disability               
    Movement Terminology               
    The Muscular System                   
    Primary Muscle Groups Used in Riding       
    Precautions and Contraindications – Orthopedic   
    Home Study Report for Section 2           

Section 3 – Neurological and Neuromuscular Conditions   
    Understanding How the Brain Works          
    Brain Injury and Head Trauma          
    The Central Nervous System              
    Spinal Cord Injury                 
    Neurological Conditions Affecting the Brain
        and the Spinal Cord               
    Precautions and Contraindication – Neurologic  
Home Study Report for Section 3           

Section 4 – Riders with Other Conditions          
    Riders with Hearing Impairment           
    Auditory Processing Disorder in Children       
    Riders with Visual Impairment           
    Riders with Learning Difficulties          
    Precautions and Contraindications – Medical/
                         Psychological                  
    Home Study Report for Section 4           

Book 2 is the practical application of instruction.  It includes teaching techniques, training and selection of horses, selection of tack, where to purchase tack, how to write a lesson plan, how to monitor progress, etc.  In this book, the questions at the end of each section require that the student instructor carry out the assignments through actual teaching experience.  This becomes preparation for the teaching section of the NARHA exam, and prepares the student instructor to do the videotaping required of the video method of Registered Instructor Certification.

We feel these books provide a less expensive and more comprehensive method of training therapeutic riding instructors. We hope you will agree.   We are also willing to serve as mentors for the initial use of the book, for those centers who do not have an advanced instructor to use as a mentor.  There is no charge for this service if you purchase the book.  All postage and phone charges will be at the student's expense, however.

Can I buy the book? How do I order it? The book is available from STRIDES Therapeutic Riding Centers, Inc. All proceeds go directly to support our program and our riders. The authors make no profit on the book. To print an order blank, click here. Or send a check for $35 for each book ordered ($30 plus $5 shipping and handling) to:

STRIDES
PO Box 572455
Tarzana, CA 91357-2455

Please be sure to include your address and phone number.