Great Strides has been closed indefinitely due to unforseen circumstances. We hope to reopen in the future. We apologize for any inconvenience.

The programs at Great Strides combine therapy with the unconditional love gained through the human-animal bond. No other program offers such special therapeutic benefits in such a pleasant and rewarding atmosphere.

We are a non-profit organization that is committed to offering riding and animal therapy to physically, develop mentally, and emotionally disabled children and adults. Through safe, effective, innovative riding and animal therapy programs individuals with disabilities can improve their lives.

Great Strides is a member of the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA)and plans to become fully accredited. NARHA establishes the therapy program quidelines, safety standards, instructor and therapist training, and certification as well as insurance provisions.

The therapeutic value of horseback riding was established scientifically during the late nineteenth century in Europe and began in the United States during the late 1950s. Today, there are more than 500 therapeutic riding centers throughout the country, most under the direction of NARHA.

Therapeutic Riding is accepted as a form of therapy for a number of disabilities including:

• Autism
• Attention Deficit Disorder(ADD)
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Cerebral Palsy
• Down's Syndrome
• Learning Disorders
• Mental Retardation
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Visual and Hearing Impairments

The benefits of therapeutic riding include improvement of muscle tone, head control, greater mobility, coordination, physical strength, confidence, and self-esteem.