Taking the reins: Special needs students benefit from therapeutic riding program
Amesbury News: By Carol Feingold -Nov 29, 2007
Amesbury special education students are sitting tall in the saddle. Every Monday morning, from September through June, six Amesbury public school students with neurological and orthopedic disorders go horseback riding. “When they are on a horse, they have mobility and freedom of movement they’ve never had before,” said Sandra Stanton, physical therapist for the Amesbury schools.
“For these children, it is kind of magic.” “They sit tall,” said Linda Young, Amesbury High School special education teacher. “Kids that typically sit huddled over, they sit tall. Therapeutic riding builds confidence and self esteem and it allows the student freedom of movement and a sense of independence.”
“It’s therapy, but it’s fun,” Stanton said. “It’s really fun. They get confident because they’re trying something new and it’s challenging. It’s a focused activity for 60 minutes and it’s effortless. They love it. They really love it.”
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