Therapeutic Riding
In therapeutic riding, PATH certified instructors teach equitation and horsemanship skills in mounted horseback riding lessons. As participants with disabilities care for, ride, control and steer their horses they gain physical, cognitive, social and emotional benefits. We believe our students should not only learn how to ride, but should learn how to care for and bond with these amazing animals from the ground as well.
Using the horse as a metaphor of life, our students learn to become stronger than the obstacles in their paths. Together, we achieve this through one-on-one programming for each student, based on his or her unique abilities and needs. Students proceed through a curriculum that includes every facet of horsemanship: riding, grooming, ground work, tack selection and maintenance, horse care and stable management.
Benefits Include
Physical: Balance,Posture, Muscle tone, Coordination, Fine & Gross Motor Skills
Psychological: Confidence, Happiness,Self Esteem, Self Control, Independence, Body Awareness
Educational: Attention, Concentration,Problem solving, Perseverance
Social: Respect, love, Responsibility, Affection, Communication
Costs
Offering free of charge sessions to children and adults with special needs and emotionl challanges. We believe that taking cost out of the services allows everyone an equal opportunity to be at one with the joy and healing that the have horses have to offer.
Ground Programing
Mindfulness
Loving Connections' mindfulness program helps clients slow down, learn how to be present, connect with their mind and inner self. This program helps clients envision how they want their lives to be, and helps them make changes to get there. We help our clients through: meditation, breathing techniques, art, journaling, shared space with our horses, and liberty walks with the herd. Loving Connections' mindfulness programs are offered in both one on one and group settings.
There are countless reasons mindfulness is so successful in the equine space. Horses are amazing nonjudgmental mentors in helping individuals be present and mindful. Horses meet people in the present and do not judge based on a person’s past or how they look or who they are in life. Horses don't worry about the past or stress about the future. Thoughts come and go, and all of their choices are based on the present moment. Whether it is stressed out, angry, emotional, distant, or calm and meditative, horses will immediately remind you of where your energy is.
The closer to your authentic and connected self, the more one's relationship with a horse can grow. This programming is available for all demographics Loving Connections serves and uses our rescue herd which shares similar backgrounds as many of our clients to aid in facilitation.
Additional Information
Costs:
We strive to make our ground programs financially accessible to all, we do rely on donations from clients attending select programs to support our horses and continue our programming.
Benefits
of
Breathwork & Meditation:
Lowers Stress
Controls Anxiety
Enhanced Self-Awareness
Emotional Health and Connection
Processing of Emotions
And many more..
Wellness
Currently In Development...
Loving Connections' wellness program will provide a holistic space with the goal of bringing unity, wellness, the relationship of human beings, animals and environment together. Through the space created, Loving Connections will be able to bring awareness of the interconnectedness of self, others, animals, nature and spirit into the community. The wellness program will provide all facets of healing that will include: education, mindfulness, meditation, self empowerment, sound therapy, yoga, reiki, hot/cold therapy and other holistic modalities to fully address the needs of our community.
Being able to incorporate holism and wellness into their time at Loving Connections will further enhance their experience with the horses, environment, themselves and those around them. As Loving Connections expands to higher population groups such as veterans, high risk youth, and those with emotional challenges/trauma, these healing modalities will undoubtedly work well among all. Loving Connections plans to start by offering basic educational classes focused on the benefits of proper nutrition, hydration, mindfulness, relaxation, sleep, and coping mechanisms. These are some of the most basic concepts that can be used to provide all of our clients with a strong foundation moving forward. As Loving Connections' programs mature, we plan to expand our educational offerings, eventually bringing in other providers skilled in a variety of healing techniques.
