Therapeutic Riding

Horseback Therapeutic Riding is one of the most beneficial and Therapeutic activities fro people with either mental or physical disability.
Equestrian Farm of Crete has pioneered in therapeutic riding in Greece , with experience in the field for over 12 years. Presently we have specially trained horses, which remain calm under all circumstances, allowing people to ride on them relaxed or more nervous. As in all our activities, in therapeutic riding courses we maintain the highest safety and performance standards.

We have worked with both foreign and local disabled people, and we have felt the joy and happiness in the eyes of the rider when they overcome their fear and they realize their ability to rule and guide such a big animal as the horse… Feelings of independence, freedom, self esteem and satisfaction are born and developed in this experience where horses and nature are involved.

We, the riding instructors of Equestrian Farm of Crete, with a long experience in therapeutic riding, believe that every mental or physical disabled person should try to ride. It is part of our philosophy, that every mentally disabled person should be given the chance to ride and experience the unique feelings created from riding… its up to all of us to give this chance to those challenged -who need it most.

The objectives of the program are to:

  • muscularly exercise riders, especially to muscles not exercised by daily typical activities
  • help riders to overcome a wide range of fears, for example, the fear created by the moving horse
  • build the riders' self confidence through the recognition of their ability to guide such a big animal
  • improve the balance, posture and mobility of the riders, not only while riding, but also after dismounting -in their daily life
  • encourage and develop the riders perceptual and movement awareness skills
  • bring people in touch with horses, a contact which can develop to a bond

Therapeutic Riding is done in association with Equestrian Farm of Crete (EFC), which is located just besides (50 meters) Therapeutic Holidays Centre.Equestrian Farm of Crete is maintaining the highest safety and quality standards. All therapeutic riding courses are supervised from a specialized EFC instructor, and a group therapist. Riders have to wear safety helmets, long trousers, and possibly other safety equipment the riding instructor will suggest necessary. Helmets are provided by EFC.

Here are the stages of the program:

  • Introduction: The instructor will make a small introduction, by talking about the safety measures, the horse attitude, basic do's and not to do's
  • First Contact: All riders will come close to the horses, feed them carrots, brush them and touch them.
  • Riding Skills Seminar: A few words on riding (basic guidelines), instructions on mount-dismount
  • Riding: People ride. The instructor holds the horse, or for some service users, stays in the middle of the paddock to supervise the rider.
  • Goodbye Session: All riders have to goodbye the horses and thank them. Also, from the restaurant of the farm our visitors can get carrots or bread to feed the horses they have been riding.

Therapeutic Holiday Centre is a registered charity in Greece . R.N: 999678884

At Therapeutic Holiday Center, everybody is encouraged to ride, at least once!!

Although, therapeutic riding in Greece is not much known/exercised, Equestrian Farm of Crete has been following the developments in North Europe , to ensure that the latest equipment and techniques are used. You can see below a specially adjusted saddle for people with kinetic difficulties;A few more about Therapeutic Riding from the staff of Equestrian Farm of Crete;Riding is an activity with psychological and physiological benefits of people with special needs. The combination of nature and the contact with horses gives a unique feeling to riders with mental or copal disabilities.

After 3-4 Therapeutic Riding Sessions, riders start feeling more comfortable, and some of them wish to ride their horse alone!

Horses have the ability to sense their rider. They can sense his fear, excitement, lack of balance or tensiveness. For riders with copal disabilities the horse plays the role of an alternative way to exercise. This graceful and sensitive animal can feel the parts of the body that are disfunctioning and tries to help the rider to reach his goal (to ride properly, and keep the balance). Also, the horse treats equally all riders, with or without any disability. This makes the rider feel equal, rather than disadvantaged.On the other hand, horse riding is an amusing way to exercise and develop, available to people with mental or physical disorders.

 

People with mental disorder problems and physical disabilities are the ones that benefit most from Therapeutic Riding