What to Expect in Our Therapeutic Horseback Riding and Hippotherapy Classes

Cincinnati Therapeutic Riding and Horsemanship operates under the rules and regulations of The North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA).  We have been an accredited center since our inception in 1985.  Our therapeutic riding classes are  an hour in length. In that time period, the rider participates in grooming, tacking, mounting, exercises on horseback, dismounting, un-tacking, cleaning and putting the saddle and bridle away.  We take full advantage of the work around the horse as a multi sensory experience.  You should expect the mounted riding time to be 30-40 minutes. 

Hippotherapy sessions are provided by occupational/physical therapists who have completed AHA (American Hippotherapy Association) certification. Two of the therapists are also certified NARHA instructors.  The intense medical related 25-30 minute sessions focus on therapeutic goals and objectives derived from an evaluation.

Our program would not exist without the individuals who give their hearts and hands to volunteer.  All that we are able to do depends on their assistance and availability at that time.  A volunteer will go with the rider prior to class to get a name tag and an ASTM-SEI approved helmet.  When their horse arrives, they will begin to groom and tack the horse.

While we monitor our horses 365 days a year, horses are unpredictable.  The instructor is managing the horses, riders, volunteers, and whatever else may be occurring in the surrounding area all at one time.  Horses are most closely related to deer.  They notice any change in their environment and will respond.  This response may be detrimental to the riders, volunteers, horses and onlookers.  Therefore, if you are an observer, we ask that you sit quietly in the designated area.  Only riders and volunteers are allowed in the riding rings.  NARHA standards also limit the tack room, stall aisle way and arenas to riders and volunteers only.

We welcome any comments and suggestions.  If you are unable to speak to us before or after the class, please call our office at (513) 831-7050, leave a message--we will be in touch as soon as possible.  Just a reminder: the stable is only open to riders & volunteers during scheduled class times.  Visitors are not permitted on the grounds at any other time unless accompanied by an instructor or an appointment has been scheduled.

Thank you for being a part of CRH and for seeing and feeling the magic of how horses make the difference!

Instructors and Therapists,
Kellie Bowers * Alexis James * Carol O'Reilly * Jennifer Reid *                                    
Jennifer Dean, OT  *  Christine Sikkema, OT  * Lauren Warm, OT