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