For those that need more support, Stephanie Tucker, M.Ed, LPC, is our Mental Health Professional offering counseling to help clients with a variety of needs. Traditional riding lessons are offered for the able bodied in dressage and jumping, from beginner through advanced.
Veterans, first responders and active duty military never pay for services.
of Therapeutic Horsemanship
Equine Assisted Therapy is any physical, mental or emotional therapy that is supported by the presence of a horse. The oldest, organized form is therapeutic riding. The Professional Association for Therapeutic Horsemanship, International is the major certifying body behind one of the most effective and most often used equine therapies. Starting in 1969, under the name North American Riding for the Handicapped Association, it has grown across the world and has helped thousands of people improve their strength, balance, coordination and social/emotional skills. Initially specializing in therapeutic riding, PATH, Int. has expanded to include both vaulting, driving and mental health programs.
In 1999 the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA) began. This organization certifies mental health professionals and equine specialists to provide equine assisted psychotherapy and learning. EAGALA’s model prescribes a team approach consisting of a mental health professional, an equine specialist and one or more horses. The EAGALA model does not allow any riding and all activities take place on the ground. This innovative approach allows the participant to receive real and immediate feedback from the horses. When the client’s behavior changes, so does the horse’s.
Since the start of EAGALA, other educational and certifying bodies have been created. Some of these are Equine Facilitated Mental Health Association, now a part of PATH, Int., EPONA and Human-Equine Alliances for Learning among others.
Pictured at left is one of The Middle Way Sanctuary’s Veteran riders with Mokker at our very first Western Days event.
Trauma Focused Equine Assisted Psychotherapy combines unmounted and mounted activities to help heal trauma. Relationship Logic (TM) engages the client in a round pen with a horse to learn about creating healthy relationships. Rhythmic Riding (TM) teaches riding and self regulation skills with music. The idea being, “Rhythmic, repetitive, bilateral motion helps create new neural pathways in the brain.”
and horse related activities help to stimulate
We offer therapeutic lessons to assist people with a variety of physical, mental, and emotional challenges. We also provide lessons for neurotypical riders from beginners to advanced in a variety of disciplines and with our therapeutic background we can accept riders aged from 2 to 100 with doctor’s permission. Our lessons for both neurodivergent and neurotypical focus on social and emotional learning, teaching empathy, confidence and care for others as we learn to care for and ride our horses. To find out more or sign up for lessons, please fill out this form we are so happy to hear from you!
Horses can provide support during a variety of challenges. Our trained treatment team can guide you through to new understanding, build skills to help you regulate your emotions and so much more. We provide individual mental health counseling, group learning, team building and more. We tailor group sessions to meet specific needs and all sessions are strengths based – meaning we build on the skills you have to help you move through mental and emotional blocks to give you the confidence you need to overcome whatever life throws at you. Let us show you how horses can make us better humans!
to practice social interactions with our instructors, other students, volunteers and our horses in addition to physical exercise associated with riding.
Learning to ride helps improve posture, balance, sensory-motor skills and mobility while increasing fitness, self esteem and feelings of success and empowerment.
Before riding or handling horses, the Liability Release Form must be filled out and signed.
We are a part time, volunteer run organization, therefore, visits to the farm are by appointment only. Please dress for the weather, wear sunblock and hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!