This page is part of a cool game called HOCK!!



Welcome to the

HOCK: Thereputic Riding Association



This association is run by Pam (appyrider@geocities.com) and Marisa (ReeDee23@aol.com) at Ree Dee Stables. The main part of the HOCK Therapeutic Riding Association is run out of and by the staff at the HOCK Therapeutic Riding Center (at RDS). Lessons are run, and animals are kept there, but if you want to donate something it goes to the HTR and other official business is done by the HTR (approvals, testing, etc.)
For the time being we are only accepting volunteers. As a volunteer you may may be asked to help with page updates, lesson reports, or other business. In order to become an instructor you must first be a volunteer (the length of time as well as the test to become an instructor will be determined later). After the test lesson records and/or reports may be asked for at random times. This will show that you are keeping up responsibly (I know it's hard) and keep you organized. Then for a few months after you start teaching at your own barn monthly reports will be due. After 3-4 months we'll only ask for them on set times during the year as an association requirement. You will have the chance to learn more about thereputic riding through our own lesson reports (to be posted on the page), research, and a series of pages on the topic. Donations are always appreciated, but it doesn't have to be money, we can use your volunteer time, feed, wood, paint, and various equipment such as trail obstacles, etc.
The HTR hopes to hold events at the HTRC to promote therapeutic riding or just for fun. Nothing has been spoken of yet, but since we have more than enough money and horses perhaps picnics, pony rides, raffles, or free leases. We could even hold shows, but the staff will have to talk it all over first! Speaking of staff, as of now we aren't having President, etc. but will probably have a page update person for when I'm busy or to offer suggestions/help, people in charge of vet care (appointments), and an events coordinator (and anything I think of).


The HTR had hoped to help IFF with the rescue, but only Marisa and Karena ended up going. Instead the rest of us helped out with the care afterward. The HTR donated buckets and feed, the stalls offered weren't needed because IFF was all set.



What is thereputic riding?

Thereputic riding can benefit many people with different disabilities. It increases muscle strength, flexibility, confidence, patience, improve speech, and is very fun! Types of disabilities which thereputic riding can help are: amputations, autism, brain injuries, cardiovascular accident/stroke, cerebral palsy, down syndrome, emotional disabilities, hearing impairments, learning disabilities, mental retardation, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, post polio speech impairments, spina bifida, spinal cord injuries, as well as visual and hearing impairments.


Why horses?

The horses' walk is a rythmical, slow gait. Riding the walk moves the body in a similar fashion to walking on our own and therefore riders increase balance as well as muscle strength and flexibility as mentioned above. More able and advanced students may trot as well. Grooming a horse, helping tack up, and/or leading it can give patients more confidence, pride, and make them more patient.

Medical benefits:

(quotes from the NARHA page)


Dr. Louis Wagner, Retired, Chest and Vascular Surgeon, Franklin, PA: "A horse's walking action mimics your body action. So, when you put somebody on a horse, in order to keep their balance, they have to move their trunk, arms, shoulders, head and the rest of their body. Only a live creature can make happen what is so beneficial. Nautilus¨ and other exercise machines work only one group of muscles at a time. They don't require you to respond to them with natural body movements. A horse makes your whole body respond in a smoothly rhythmic, progressive way."

Dr. Walter Bobechko, Director of Humana Advanced Surgical Institute, Orthopedic Center of Dallas, TX: "In addition to the physical benefits, therapeutic riding offers psychological benefits because riders feel a sense of achievement and control. Therapeutic riding requires balance and muscular control that often enhances or expedites recovery. The slow, continuous, rhythmic motion of the gait of the horse is therapeutic and helps develop the muscles around the spine."

Dr. Peter Moskovitz, Orthopedic Surgeon, George Washington University Hospital, Washington, D.C.: "Young people with cerebrospastic neuromuscular disorders who participate in therapeutic riding show better range of hip and knee motion, improved sitting balance and ambulatory capacities. They have a more positive and cooperative attitude toward their regular physical therapy."

Robert T. Kramer, Chief, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor University Medical Center, Children's Medical Center, Presbyterian Medical Center, Dallas, TX: "Therapeutic riding transcends traditional therapeutic methods and provides people with the joy of participating in a program that offers social, athletic and personal rewards, while providing benefits as well."



Lessons are taught at Ree Dee Stables on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays for $25/half hour. We own 7 HTRC horses/ponies, and have use of 4 more! Which means we have 4 empty stalls, however we don't need anymore yet! The HTR also has 2 nubian goat kids, 7 French lop-eared bunnies, 2 dogs, and 2 kittens to accomodate the animal therapy portion of the program (no reports on these as this is a horse game). Thanks to you guys the HTR has accumualted a grand total of .............. $278,500!!!!!!! Thank you!!!

7/2/98

Volunteers at the HTR

Horses and ponies and other animals at the HTR

e-mail us! This is the HTR_A's account, not Pam's or Marisa's, so if you want an imediate reply e-mail Pam.


Reminder:

This is part of a cybergame called HOCK!! The information on thereputic riding is correct, but the association is not real! If you were looking for info on TR go to the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association page for starters.


Links to other therapeutic riding and animal therepy sites.

Main source the NARHA, and experiance :-)



Last updated: August 4th, 1998 1