REINS, a non-profit therapeutic horsemanship program located in Fallbrook, California, is holding its "Day at the Races" fundraiser during the Pacific Classic Race at the Del Mar, California, racetrack on August 26, 2012. This Grade 1 race features some of the nation's top race horses competing for a $1 million purse.
Riding horses - A key to coordinated development
REINS provides physical, mental and emotional therapy to a wide range of disabled children and adults through the use of carefully supervised horseback riding.
According to their website, the mission of REINS is to provide physical, mental and emotional therapy to a wide range of disabled children and adults through the use of carefully supervised horseback riding.
At REINS, children and adults with disabilities learn how to ride horses. They are involved in an intense form of therapy that benefits a wide range of abilities. With an enrollment of nearly 200 weekly students who come from all over the counties of Orange, Riverside and San Diego, the staff at REINS is aided by over 100 weekly volunteers who assist in all aspects of the program.
According to authorities in the therapeutic horseback riding field, the benefits include physical, psychological and social components. Often for people benefiting from therapuetic riding, it is difficult to perform basic functions related to balance, such as walking and running. In addition, correct posture and manual dexterity are limited.
The aim of any treatment program is to improve circulation, respiration, balance, coordination, proprioception, agility, self-confidence and mental relaxation. In addition, one would hope for significant carry- over of improvements from the therapy sessions to activities of daily living.
By forming a partnership with a horse or pony, several of these goals are brought into focus: by eliminating the need to concentrate on standing, the handicapped rider can devote his efforts and attention to refining his balance and coordination and improving his ability to function in a more rhythmic manner.
Once astride a horse, the animal functions as a surrogate cerebellum for the rider, providing the rider's neuromuscular system with varying inputs that closely approximate those that are experienced during normal human movement.
Sensations are transmitted from the stirrups and through the rider's feet and legs that reflect the surface being traversed by the horse. The rider is exposed to differing qualities, textures and grades of surface, a new experience for many of the handicapped.
Moreover, the motion of the horse brings into play spinal reflexes, especially the righting reflex, which are rarely, if ever, used by wheelchair-bound persons.