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The Pocono Equestrian Center 210 N Lincoln Avenue - Scranton, PA 18504 (570) 348-9795

A North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) Member Center
Therapeutic Riding & Equine Therapy for child and horse - a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization

Mane Stream riding lessons available for those children who would like to learn everything there is to learn about horses and more. Safely work with horses. Learn parts of the horse. How to saddle a horse. Groom and care for a horse. Learn how to bridle a horse. Bath a horse.

Outreach Program – The Outreach Program involves the city kids. Most of these kids don’t get the opportunity to go to a farm never mind see a horse or a cow. Depending on the children attending this program, we try to cover as many aspects of the farm maintenance and horses. We hope to bring the kids back as much as possible, in hopes to keep them off the streets. Also show them that they too can be an important part of the community.

Hourly Riding Lessons- Ask for times and schedules. Girl Scout/Boy Scout Badge Program

Learning Disabilities Program—Our programs are focused towards the children that are in need, these children that need an extra boost to get through the difficult times in their lives. The emotional satisfaction that the children get by interacting with the horses has a life long healing effect. This will enhance their daily lives by giving them the opportunity to work with the horses. Children with learning disabilities can have fun while learning patience, focusing, communication, bonding, strength building, independence, socialization, self-esteem and self-confidence. They can use what they learn with the horses in their daily lives.

  • Communication- Communicating to the horse what you want does help the children understand and learn how to work with the horse. Whether it is asking the horse to walk, stop or turn.
  • Patience- People say, “Patience is a virtue,” How true. It takes time and patience for a horse to see what you are trying to show them. If patience is exercised, you will learn as will the animal. It takes timing, theory and technique to work with any animal. This exercise can be used in our daily lives. Children learn patience without realizing that is what they are learning; all they care about is the horse.
  • Focus- Children with LD work on Focusing whether it be counting, looking in your eyes or just combing a horses mane out. All of this enhancing the focusing skills of the child.
  • Respect- Children quickly learn if you respect the animal, they will respect you back. If you take the time to learn how to work safely with the horse, they will respect you as you respected them.
  • Self-Confidence- As they proceed through each accomplishment the children’s self-confidence will soar and will allow the child to accomplish more. This will allow you to use this in your daily lives.
  • Family – Our foundation is our family. Sharing is key to learning more about your family. Some of us don’t get a chance to enjoy our families like we should and others don’t know what a family all about. Bonding is vital to a family that is in the fostering situation as well as all situations. Don’t take your family for granted.
  • Socialization – Any interaction with others that have the same interests or disorders seems to demonstrate a little more understanding and patience.

Once evaluated to see what needs to be the focus for the child, then the instructor decides if he/she can handle the next step a group environment. (A group is more than one in a lesson.) If not, until the child is ready will stay in a one on one environment.

Although most of our lessons are geared towards the children, we try to encourage parents and/or family members to get involved too.

Therapy on Horseback for Autistic Children Today’s adults that don’t have an autistic child in their lives, need to understand what these children need, everyone can lend a hand.

Therapeutic Riding has been proven over and over again to help these children. We offer a program to help these children with assistance with our 4-legged therapists. We can offer these children and others more services and a chance to be a functioning little person. Currently, we offer these programs on a part time basis until our funding is in order.

We have contacted colleges to provide internships for the college students to obtain first hand experience in their field while under supervision of a licensed professional in their field of expertise.

The social development of these children is so important to work on developing, in a group and individual setting. We start with developing a relationship with the child with an instructor and volunteers (side walkers or leaders) Meanwhile, when the child arrives we say hello, and try to get eye contact along with a wave. This at first is very hard to the children but after 3-4 times they start to respond because they are so excited to see their horse. We find out what the children like in their home lives and try to incorporate a piece of that in our program, whether it be the child likes Toy Story, or Barbie. We call the Horse Bullseye if that is what helps. The child if he/she is afraid or is uncomfortable because of a new place, does calm down, once mounted on the horse due to the movement of the horse it has a calming effect on them. Socially the children see the other children coming and going as well. They get used to seeing the same people and different people, which desensitizes them at a comfortable level.

Gradually, we work on the child asking the horse to walk or go verbally, (depending on what the child’s capabilities are), Hi-five’s, mini trail rides (all of the side walkers go with us as well) this gives the child a lot of things to look at. This also gives the child a chance to get used to change. We work on the child asking the horse to stop (verbally) then we will stop the horse for him/her. After that we work on them holding the reins and when they want to stop they pull back. We also play basketball, baseball, frisbee on horseback, which helps balance, coordination and communication skills. After we ride we take care of the horse by brushing the horse. This helps bonding and self-confidence as well as motor skills, coordination and socialization. The instructor always asks for a hug when we are done and waves bye.

This type of therapy enhances: *Motor Skills *Learning Problems *Sensory Impairments *Coordination *Language Development *Speech Therapy *Balance, posture

Physically , equine-assisted therapy takes disabled riders through complex series of movements, which consciously and unconsciously use all the body's muscles.   The horse rhythmically and naturally moves the body in a manner similar to the human gait,improving posture, balance and muscle control.  

Mentally , equine-assisted therapy increases concentration, improves sequential thought processing, increases the rider's ability to articulate emotions, and develops spatial awareness.

Emotionally , equine-assisted therapy provides the opportunity for riders to bond with the horse, instructor, and volunteers, which rekindle the development of trust.   It also assists in calming emotive outbursts and assists in the development of appropriate behaviors.

Our Programs can be CUSTOMIZED to what your child, youth or your group would like to accomplish and how much time you would like to spend with us. Whether your child has Tourette Syndrome, Autism, Cancer or just wants to learn about horses and ride we will work with your child or youth. If your child has a special need he/she can be evaluated to see what program would best fit your child.

All Proceeds benefit The Pocono Equestrian Center, which is registered with the PA Bureau of Charitable Organizations, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The official registration and financial information of The Pocono Equestrian Center may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, 1 (800) 732-0999

 

 

| ©2003 The Pocono Equestrian Center