Wild Hearts Therapeutic Equestrian Program

Wild Hearts Therapeutic Equestrian Program is currently accepting participants for our Therapeutic Riding program.

For information about our summer camp, please click here.

(Please scroll down  for a description of these programs as well as the range of disabilities that equine assisted activities can benefit.)

Download the Wild Hearts "About Therapeutic Riding" flyer

Lessons are currently sold on a pay-as-you-go basis. We require a 24 hour notice for all cancellations. Please contact Julie Lovely at 978-578-4438 or jlovely@wildheartstherapeutic.org to receive forms or for more information.

Wild Hearts is closed for the following 2012 holidays and breaks:

Memorial Day: May 28

Labor Day: September 3

Thanksgiving: November 22-24

Winter Break: December 24 - January 1 (reopen January 2, 2013)

The following forms must be completed prior to the first lesson:

Participant Application

Medical History/Physician Statement

Medical Treatment Authorization

Release and Indemnification

Physical/Occupational Therapist Evaluation (Optional Form)

Therapeutic Riding

Therapeutic Riding provides an unique opportunity for participants to gain not only riding skills, but also experience the physical, cognitive, social, behavioral, and emotional benefits of communicating with and controlling a 1000+ pound animal. Our NARHA certified instructors collaborate with the participant, parents, caregivers, educators, healthcare professionals, and other important individuals in the participant's life, to establish goals and create an individualized therapeutic riding program.

Hippotherapy

Hippotherapy is conducted by medical professionals (physical, occupational and speech-language therapists) who use equine movement as part of an integrated intervention program to achieve functional outcomes. Unlike therapeutic riding, hippotherapy does not teach specific riding skills. Therapists use traditional techniques such as NDT (neurodevelpmental treatment) and SI (sensory integration), along with the movement of the horse, to improve balance, coordination, posture, fine motor control, articulation, and cognitive skills.

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP)

EAP is an experiential psychotherapy that involves equines facilitated by a licensed and credentialed mental health professional. EAP clients include at-risk youth, victims of violence, veterans returning from war with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and people with many other mental health challenges such as grief and loss, anxiety, depression, and addictions. It may include, but is not limited to, equine activities such as horse handling, grooming, horse care, and riding. Also known as Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy (EFP).

Horses for Heroes

In a partnership with PATH's national Horses for Heroes program, military veterans returning from war and their families can experience the benefits of therapy without the confines of a traditional clinical setting. Appropriate equine assisted activities such a therapeutic riding, hippotherapy, and/or equine facilitated psychotherapy are tailored specifically to the needs of service personnel and veterans to address Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and other physical, emotional, and psychological challenges that make it difficult to readjust to civilian life following deployment.

Equine Assisted Activities are helpful to a wide range of disabilities such as, but definitely not limited to:

• Autism
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Cerebral Palsy
• Visual & Hearing Impairments
• Down Syndrome
• Cardiovascular accident/Stroke
• Mental Retardation
• Spina Bifida
• Emotional Disabilities
• Depression
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Brain/Spinal Cord Injuries
• Amputations
• Learning Disabilities
• Attention Deficit Disorder