WHERE IS THE MILES OF SMILES FACILITY?   We are located at 901 W. Maple Street in Garden City, Kansas.

WHAT IS THERAPEUTIC RIDING?   The North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) was established in 1969, and today there are more than 650 NARHA-affiliated centers in the U.S. and Canada.  These centers offer a variety of hippo therapy (physical therapy on horseback) activities to riders with a wide range of disabilities and injuries.  The movement of the horse both relaxes tight muscles and stimulates unused muscles, which encourages better balance, flexibility, coordination, posture, and muscular strength and control. 

Horseback riding & the associated activities also offer many psychological benefits.  Mastering the commands and controlling the horse give the rider a wonderful sense of accomplishment as well as greater self-confidence, self-esteem, and a sense of independence.  Horseback riding requires, and thus promotes, the development of patience and self-control.    Interaction with the horse, volunteers, instructor, and other riders can also improve the rider’s social development.  The experience includes so many sensory stimuli - the smells of the barn, the feel of the horse’s soft coat - that just being there is beneficial to the rider! 

Therapeutic riding is recognized and endorsed by many medical organizations, and specifically, the American Occupational Therapy Association and the American Physical Therapy Association.

WHEN ARE THE RIDING SESSIONS?   We currently offer three sessions per year, a six-week session in the spring, a five-week session in the summer, and another six-week session in the fall.  Within each session, there are two riding classes each on Monday and Tuesday evenings, and vaulting on Thursday evenings.  The summer session also adds a Wednesday morning riding class.

WHAT IS VAULTING?   Vaulting is gymnastics on horseback, and yes, it's as fun as it sounds...whether you're participating or just watching!  Visit  www.americanvaulting.org  for more information about this incredible activity!

IS MILES OF SMILES PART OF A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION?   Yes and no.  It is not a chapter or a branch of a national group, which means it is operated completely locally, and all money raised is used only by this local organization.  However, being a member of the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA), means it is a legitimate organization and does have a national "support system".  The instructors must become certified through NARHA, and there are certain guidelines and safety standards the program must follow in order to achieve & maintain its NARHA membership.

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