Willow Farm Therapeutic Riding
About Us
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Willow Farm Therapeutic Riding (WFTR), a
non-profit 501©(3) organization, serves as a
center for continual development, implementation
and evaluation of a therapeutic riding program for
children and young adults between the ages of 4
and 26, all of whom have a physical handicap or
diagnosed disability. Our clients have the
opportunity to participate in therapeutic
recreational activities designed to meet their
specific needs utilizing over 10,000 volunteer
hours a year with the use of specifically trained
and selected horses.
The format of the program is built around NARHA
(North American Riding for the Handicapped
Association) guidelines of: (1) Therapy, (2)
Education, (3) Sports and (4) Leisure and
Recreation with additional emphasis on developing
assets in responsibility, moral judgment,
leadership and self-confidence. The discipline
associated when working with the horses and the
social interaction with peers, volunteers, and staff
benefits the mind and spirit. The rider's language
is broadened, coordination is improved, and
above all, self-image is enhanced.
A collaborative team approach of therapists,
physicians, family and equine specialists
determine goals and objectives on each student to
provide the most appropriate, safe services
possible. Progress is carefully monitored and
charted to ensure that the program is consistent
and the goals are met.
non-profit 501©(3) organization, serves as a
center for continual development, implementation
and evaluation of a therapeutic riding program for
children and young adults between the ages of 4
and 26, all of whom have a physical handicap or
diagnosed disability. Our clients have the
opportunity to participate in therapeutic
recreational activities designed to meet their
specific needs utilizing over 10,000 volunteer
hours a year with the use of specifically trained
and selected horses.
The format of the program is built around NARHA
(North American Riding for the Handicapped
Association) guidelines of: (1) Therapy, (2)
Education, (3) Sports and (4) Leisure and
Recreation with additional emphasis on developing
assets in responsibility, moral judgment,
leadership and self-confidence. The discipline
associated when working with the horses and the
social interaction with peers, volunteers, and staff
benefits the mind and spirit. The rider's language
is broadened, coordination is improved, and
above all, self-image is enhanced.
A collaborative team approach of therapists,
physicians, family and equine specialists
determine goals and objectives on each student to
provide the most appropriate, safe services
possible. Progress is carefully monitored and
charted to ensure that the program is consistent
and the goals are met.
We utilize several important safety
practices:
• Each potential therapy horse is
screened to ensure the
appropriateness of both the quality of
movement and a good working
temperament.
• We enforce a number of
humane policies including limiting
horse work hours and limiting the
amount of weight they carry.
• Professional horse handlers
manage the therapy horses.
• Therapists are specially trained
to utilize hippotherapy and adhere to
the medical guidelines set by NARHA
(North American Riding for
Handicapped Association).
• When on the horse, all clients
wear safety helmets.
• All clients, families, and workers
must sign an agreement to follow
basic barn safety
practices:
• Each potential therapy horse is
screened to ensure the
appropriateness of both the quality of
movement and a good working
temperament.
• We enforce a number of
humane policies including limiting
horse work hours and limiting the
amount of weight they carry.
• Professional horse handlers
manage the therapy horses.
• Therapists are specially trained
to utilize hippotherapy and adhere to
the medical guidelines set by NARHA
(North American Riding for
Handicapped Association).
• When on the horse, all clients
wear safety helmets.
• All clients, families, and workers
must sign an agreement to follow
basic barn safety
You are welcome to bring others to
watch your child's therapy. All who
observe the program are asked to sign
our Visitor Log and follow posted rules.
Please contact us if you have any
questions regarding confidentiality.
watch your child's therapy. All who
observe the program are asked to sign
our Visitor Log and follow posted rules.
Please contact us if you have any
questions regarding confidentiality.
Our program offers a variety of
opportunities for riding:
Beginner -
1. Group Riding
2. 1-1 Therapy
Intermediate -
1. Group Riding
2. 1-1 Therapy
3. Outdoor Riding
Advanced -
1. Step-Up Program
2. Outdoor Riding
3. 1-1 Lessons
PRIVATE LESSONS ARE AVAILABLE
In addition, ALL of our riders who meet
the qualifications for special olympics
are eligible to train with our Special
Olympic Equestrian Coaches, as well
as attend and participate in the Special
Olympics Invitational Horse Show held
each summer.
opportunities for riding:
Beginner -
1. Group Riding
2. 1-1 Therapy
Intermediate -
1. Group Riding
2. 1-1 Therapy
3. Outdoor Riding
Advanced -
1. Step-Up Program
2. Outdoor Riding
3. 1-1 Lessons
PRIVATE LESSONS ARE AVAILABLE
In addition, ALL of our riders who meet
the qualifications for special olympics
are eligible to train with our Special
Olympic Equestrian Coaches, as well
as attend and participate in the Special
Olympics Invitational Horse Show held
each summer.
Willow Farm Therapeutic Riding's mission is
to promote and enhance the welfare of
individuals with disabilities by providing a
program of therapeutic, educational and
recreational value, and further, to empower
individuals who are mentally, physically,
emotionally and/or socially challenged through
the use of horses, while providing therapeutic
benefits in a safe and controlled atmosphere
bringing those involved to better health,
happiness, confidence and quality of life.
to promote and enhance the welfare of
individuals with disabilities by providing a
program of therapeutic, educational and
recreational value, and further, to empower
individuals who are mentally, physically,
emotionally and/or socially challenged through
the use of horses, while providing therapeutic
benefits in a safe and controlled atmosphere
bringing those involved to better health,
happiness, confidence and quality of life.
Our Missoin
Instructors work closely with the parents, caregivers and therapists to set
goals for the students on an individual basis. These goals range from
increasing balance, self-esteem, self worth, and social interaction to
physical therapy, speech therapy and recreation.
goals for the students on an individual basis. These goals range from
increasing balance, self-esteem, self worth, and social interaction to
physical therapy, speech therapy and recreation.