Morning Dove Therapeutic Riding

Therapeutic Riding, also known as equine-assisted activites, is an adaptive, therapeutic and recreational riding activity which focuses on improving the well-being of individuls with disabilities. Through learning to ride, participants can address a variety of therapeutic outcomes, including cognitive, physical, emotional, social,educational and behaviorial goals. The ability to control a horse, as well as one's own body, inspires self-confidence, teaches responsibility, affirms trust and builds teamwork skills. From the beginning, riders learn balance and coordination while receiving therapeutic muscle stimulation. As a result of therapy sessions, physical attibutes such as posture, strength and flexibility are improved. Cognitive benefits are gained when participants gain self- assurance and poise and social skills are earned in the session through teamwork and communication. Morning Dove also supports hippotherapy sessions. Hippotherapy is a therapeutic treatment startegy designed to use the multi-dimensional movement and gait of a horse to treat people needing physical herapy, speech therapy or occupational therapy. Morning Dove provides facilities, equipment, horses and horse handlers for specially trained health professionas to treat these patients. The treatments improve abnormal muscle tone, improve balance, posture, mobility and coordination. They also heighten motor development and improve focus of particpants with attention/arousal deficiencies. People living with cerebral plasy, mulitple sclerosis, developmental delays or learning disabilities are examples of participants who beenfit from hippotherapy sessons.Finally Morning Dove offers several equine assisted learning programs, including programs for at-risk youth, children with autism, workshops for scouts and other public service programs for school groups ettc.Morning Dove also particpates in events at the Special Olympics and offers services for military veterens.Donated Use of Equine Operating Facilities in 2011.Morning Dove operates its therapeutic riding program from an equine facility in Zionsville, Indiana which is leased from a benefactor for $1 a year. No services or barter agreements were provided from Morning Dove to the benefactor in exchange for the donated use of the land and facilities at a below-market value.