Equine Assisted Therapy Alaska offers a number of equine-assisted activities and therapies, including therapeutic riding, hippotherapy, equine-facilitated mental health, competition, ground work and stable management. In current development are programs designed to assist wounded warriors, military groups, families, business groups and foster care/ residential treatment facilities. We are also working to develop a Therapeutic Driving program.

1. Therapeutic/Sport Riding is offered in one hour long lessons with 1-4 riders similar in cognitive age and ability. The lesson focuses on increasing individual riding skills while gaining a therapeutic benefit, as well as increasing muscle tone, strength, self esteem, improving coordination and balance, social interaction and communication, and development of a sense of control. Class activities include learning riding skills, trail rides, and group activities such as competitive games. Students also expand their horsemanship skills by learning how to help groom and tack their horses (as appropriate). The increased attention, concentration, learning, and verbal skills that are inherent in learning to ride successfully lead to a magical bond with the horse, leading to improved social skills such as making new friends and respecting authority.

How Therapeutic Riding Works
The horse's soothing rhythm, warmth and three-dimensional movement pattern provides healthy exercise while improving circulation and muscle tone. The discipline associated with working with horses and the social interactions between peers benefit the mind and spirit while raising self-esteem and increasing self-sufficiency through accomplishment. The unconditional love of the horses is proven to reduce anxiety, encourage interaction and offer a haven where riders can feel a sense of empowerment.

2. Hippotherapy consists of intensive one-on-one therapy sessions with a licensed therapist who utilizes the unique qualities of the horse as a therapy means. The movement of the horse at a walk mimics the rider's own pelvic movement, providing a distinctive opportunity that cannot be duplicated in traditional clinical settings. Physically, the horse moves in a three-dimensional pattern similar to the action of the human pelvis during normal, upright movement, and thus Hippotherapy offers an increased potential for walking and normal hip development for individuals living with disabilities. Upper body benefits include improved hand/eye coordination, posture and balance.

3. Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) is an emerging field in which horses are used as a means for emotional growth and learning. EAP involves a collaborative effort between a therapist, a horse professional, a client and a horse. Through this experiential approach, clients are provided with opportunities to enhance their self-awareness and learn about themselves and others by participating in activities with the horses, and then processing feelings, behaviors and patterns. The focus of EAP is not on riding horses per se. Rather, the therapy focuses on groundwork and the relationship between the client and the horse.

Rider Forms
• Medical History Form
• Rider Registration Form