Pegasus Riding Academy July 2009

Pegasus Riding Academy for the Handicapped is a place where children and adults of all ages and all types of handicaps can come for medically approved equine therapy (exercises while riding a horse). The walking motion of the horse’s body against human legs, massages all of muscles used in the human walk and is an inspiring and exciting experience for those whose life is spent in a wheelchair.

Each rider is gently eased into a program of therapy geared to the needs of physically impaired people to help them develop usable muscles and joints. Immobility causes good muscles to atrophy which leads to further problems for a handicapped person. At Pegasus they try to strengthen muscles and joints by these exercises. All Pegasus volunteers working with riders receive special training for this work and must have the patience and sensitivity to do it.Other important aspects of their program are the psychological and emotional benefits derived from horse back riding. Learning to concentrate and the discipline of following directions are extremely beneficial to our riders. Controlling and steering a large animal gives emotionally impaired riders a sense of empowerment necessary to improving self-image. Many riders have difficulty bonding with humans but are able to develop trust and confidence by bonding with a horse. Methods have been developed to make all riders feel a sense of accomplishment by achieving goals. At Pegasus they look to the ability a person has rather than the disability.

Learn More:

Visit PegasusRidingAcademy.org