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The horse helps make this realization possible. The physical therapy of his motion stimulates movement. The body warmth relaxes rigidity and unlocks muscles to freer movement. The size of the horse magnifies the sense of joyful self-worth created by developing the skills to independently prompt the horse to respond. This freedon is vital for those who are always dependent on others or the tools of the disabled. Through our horses we have been able to help those with cerebral palsy, spina bifida, autism, loss of sight and hearing, muscular dystrophy, brainstem and spinal injury, and mental and emotional impairment.
There is very little therapy today that can create an opportunity for the learning, emotionally, and physically disabled to deal successfully with fears and frustrations; to learn self-control; to be able to improve listening skills, gross and fine motor skills; and to gain in balance and muscle control. Therapeutic riding at Windrush Farm creates these opportunities. Improved riding ability increases stimulation of physical and mental skills, skills that readily transfer to daily activities and greatly enhance the quality of life.
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