FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the difference between Therapeutic Riding and Hippotherapy?
Who can benefit from lessons?
Are there any requirements to be able to ride at The Saddle Light Center?
What are lessons like?
How are appointments scheduled?
What are the Hours of Operation?
How much do lessons cost?
Will health insurance cover lessons?
Are parents required to attend the lessons with their child?
What breed of horses does The Saddle Light Center use for lessons?
Do the horses undergo any special training to become part of the Therapeutic Riding program?
Is specialized tack or equipment used for Therapeutic Riding lessons?
How is a rider matched with a horse?
Are there any special safety requirements The Saddle Light Center must follow to be able to provide Therapeutic Riding lessons?
How long should a rider stay in The Saddle Light Center program?
Does The Saddle Light Center teach non-therapeutic riding lessons?
Does The Saddle Light Center accept donations?
Does The Saddle Light Center need volunteers?

What is the difference between Therapeutic Riding and Hippotherapy?
Therapeutic riding lessons focus on teaching the rider the sport of riding. Hippotherapy is conducted by a licensed physical therapist, occupational therapist or speech therapist. Hippotherapy focuses on using the horse as a therapeutic tool to help treat a rider's disability. Each rider meets with a licensed physical therapist for a new rider evaluation prior to beginning lessons. During this evaluation, it is determined whether the rider would benefit most from Therapeutic Riding or Hippotherapy.

Who can benefit from lessons?
Many types of physical disabilities can be treated and functionality improved using customized, carefully planned lessons. Our riders include those with cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, or head injury, as well as recovering stroke patients, among others. Areas of improvement for these riders may include:

• Joint range of motion
• Muscle strength & tone
• Coordination
• Balance
• Sensory integration

For people with autism, learning, behavioral or emotional disabilities, interaction with a horse can help improve:

• Self-confidence
• Patience
• Emotional control & self discipline
• Social interaction

Are there any requirements to be able to ride at The Saddle Light Center?
Riders must be at least two years old. All riders must provide a physician's medical statement and a complete medical history. These will include an assessment by the physician of any contraindications or precautions as they relate to horseback riding. Once the physician referral and medical history are received, a new rider evaluation will be scheduled to determine the specific needs of the rider.

What are lessons like?
Lessons are given in a class of two or three students that are compatible in age, ability, and type of disability. The length of the lesson depends on the riders' endurance, which usually ranges between 20-45 minutes. Lessons are supervised by an instructor who is assisted by a volunteer team of horse leader and 1-2 sidewalkers.

How are appointments scheduled?
We recommend each student ride once per week. Appointments are scheduled for each rider for the same day and time slot each week.

What are the hours of operation?
Hours of operation are Monday-Friday, between 4-9 p.m. No lessons are conducted on Saturdays, as they are reserved for new rider evaluations. We are closed on Sundays.

How much do lessons cost?
Therapeutic Riding Lessons are $45.00 per session and Hippotherapy is $75.00 per session.

Will health insurance cover lessons?
Most insurance carriers do not yet cover the cost of therapeutic riding lessons. Hippotherapy sessions conducted by a physical therapist may be covered under some policies. The Saddle Light Center does not assume responsibility for filing any insurance claims on behalf of their riders.

Are parents required to attend the lessons with their child?
Many parents prefer to participate in the lessons with their child by sidewalking (walking alongside the horse). Those not actively participating usually choose to observe the lessons.

What breed of horses does the Saddle Light Center use for lessons?
No particular breed is favored for equine therapy. We currently have several breeds of horses in the program, including Quarter Horses, a Tennessee Walker and a Thoroughbred. More important than breed are temperament and disposition. Our horses must enjoy being around people, as each lesson involves not only the rider, but a volunteer support team as well (a leader and one or two sidewalkers).

In addition to possessing the right temperament, each horse must also have the desired physical confirmation (height, width) and body movements (pace, gait, rhythm). Because we rely on the horse's movements to facilitate rider reactions, a horse with the right attributes can help stimulate the rider's balance and righting reactions and will contribute to building strength and endurance.

Do the horses undergo any special training to become part of the Therapeutic Riding program?
Therapeutic Riding lessons involve many non-traditional riding exercises, therefore specialized training for the horse is required. This training consists of working with the horse in specific ways to foster a highly developed sense of cooperation, patience and trust of the team members. In addition, in order to accommodate the physical differences of therapeutic riders, the horses are taught how to accept riders mounting from blocks or a ramp, and how to stand still during mounting and dismounting. They also learn how to accept riders with less balance, trunk control, and spasticity (abnormal muscle tone) than most riders.

Because lessons may involve a variety of exercises during the lessons, the horses are also taught to accept riders who remove their feet from the stirrups, or change directions to sit sideways, on their stomach or even backwards during a lesson.

Is specialized tack or equipment used for Therapeutic Riding lessons?
We use the same kind of English and Western saddles used for everyday riding. We also use one or two-handed surcingles with pad. No special modifications are necessary. Saddles and other tack are chosen during the initial rider evaluation and are based on the characteristics of each rider.

How is a rider matched with a horse?
Each rider meets with a licensed physical therapist during their new rider evaluation, prior to beginning lessons. During this evaluation, it is determined whether the rider would benefit most from therapeutic riding or hippotherapy. At this time, it is also determined which horse has the best body type (wide/narrow) and pace combination for the rider. Once the horse is selected, a saddle is chosen to compliment horse and rider by providing the proper level of support. As a rider progresses, the horse and tack may be changed to accommodate new gains and provide new challenges.

Are there any special safety requirements The Saddle Light Center must follow to be able to provide Therapeutic Riding lessons?
The Saddle Light center is an affiliate member center of NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association) and, as such, follows all NARHA recommended safety procedures. NARHA  was founded in 1969 to serve as an advisory body to the various riding for the disabled groups across the United States and neighboring countries. NARHA provides safety guidelines and training, certifies therapeutic riding instructors, accredits therapeutic riding centers according to its own high standards, disseminates information, and offers low cost insurance to its member organizations.

How long should a rider stay in The Saddle Light Center program?
Most riders continue their lessons for a few months up to a year. Many of our young riders leave the program as they get older and their interests change. Other riders stay and continue to see improvements for many, many years. The Saddle Light Center does not limit riders to a specific time frame. As long as improvements are made, lessons can continue indefinitely.

Does The Saddle Light Center teach non-therapeutic riding lessons?
Our mission is to serve the disabled community, therefore, we do not teach traditional Western or English Riding to riders without disabilities.

Does The Saddle Light Center accept donations?
As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, The Saddle Light Center relies heavily on donations made through our Corporate Sponsorship Program, as well as individual and private donations. We gratefully accept many types of donations, including goods, services and financial support. Please see our Corporate Sponsor page for more information.

Does The Saddle Light Center need volunteers?
As a non-profit organization, the Saddle Light Center relies heavily on volunteers. In 2003, over 100 volunteers from all walks of life provided critical assistance in all areas of operations. Please see our Volunteer page for more information.