Agency - Grand Equestrians Therapeutic Riding Program

The Grand Equestrians Therapeutic Riding Program provides equine facilitated therapy to physically and mentally challenged children.
Volunteers are the backbone of the Grand Equestrians Program. Without the assistance of these individuals, the children would not be able to ride the horses and experience the benefits the program aims to provide.

Description:
Our Students have a wide range of developmental challenges such as: Cerebral Palsy, Spina bifida, Down's Syndrome, and Autism.
Riders must wear a helmet, volunteers walk on one or both sides of the horse and hold onto the rider's legs. Another volunteer leads the horse around the arena and the instructor gives the rider directions for exercises.
Therapeutic Horseback Riding benefits the rider's Posture, Gait, Balance, Coordination, Strength, Flexibility, as well as promotes Self-Awareness, Self Confidence, Concentration and Self Dicipline.
This program is one of the only Therapeutic Riding Programs in Michigan that is provided at no cost to the riders.

History:
The Grand Equestrians Therapeutic Riding Program was founded 30 years ago under the direction of Michigan State University, who helped set standards for Instructor training and certification. The program continues as an MSU Extension Livingston County 4-H Program, made possible only by the dedication of it's volunteers.

Contact people:

Dorotha Bugard, Treasurer, (phone) Wendy Parks, Volunteer Coordinator, (phone)

Address:

2300 E. Grand River Suite 111 Howell, MI 48843 (See a map)

Web Site: http://co.livingston.mi.us/msuextension/4H

Last updated on June 2, 2011