• Balance and coordination, posture and muscle tone
• Concentration, self discipline and self-esteem
• Perception and spatial awareness
• Communication and social skills
• Independence and encourages decision making

So how does it work?

Riding improve balance: The horse provides a comfortable base of support upon which a person who is unstable on his/her own legs can learn to balance. Changes in the horse's movement, direction or pace challenges the rider's balance.

Riding improves muscle strength: Many activities on or associated with the horse can be used to promote strength and endurance.

Riding improves co-ordination skills: Horse riding involves the co-ordination of every part of the body. On a horse, postural background and gross motor skills are emphasised in support of refining fine motor and other skills.

Riding is good exercise: Riding involves all of the muscles of the body and in addition stimulates all the body systems. It can also be a relaxing activity as it is an enjoyable activity that encourages active muscle work and deep breathing.

Riding helps to relax high muscle tone: The natural warmth of the horse relaxes facilitating stretching and along with careful positioning of the rider helps to inhibit any reflexes that may be present.

... or normalise low muscle tone? The strong dynamic movement of the horse provides proprioceptive and vestibular input that effectively facilitates an increase in low muscle tone.

Riding improves posture: Horse riding gives symmetrical exercise to the body in response to the horse's movement. Muscles on either side of the spine are exercised equally promoting good postural alignment.

Riding can improve a persons walking ability: The movement of the horse causes the rider's pelvis, trunk and shoulder girdle to react in ways very similar to those produced by the human walk. The horse is also invaluable in providing the feeling of proper stride length.

Riding improves communication skills: Riders learn basic commands to get their horse to go and stop. The horse willingly responds to their instructions and therefore provides the positive reinforcement that motivates them to continue to make their requests.

Riding improves social skills: The horse becomes a friend to interact with, care for and develop a partnership with. The horse will accept a rider with no prejudgment. Learning to control the horse encourages the rider to control themselves and become willing to follow the instructions, co-operate, take turns, share and abide by the rules.

Riding improves concentration: An incentive to concentrate and achieve is provided by a horse's willing response to the rider's instructions and success in something can be guaranteed.

Riding improve perceptual motor skills: Riding involves all the senses i.e. sight, hearing, touch, smell and Perception is the recognition of this sensory information.

Riding improve self-confidence: Riding is one of the few activities where people can achieve instant success, they get it right and the horse responds. This motivates them to try again and gradually their confidence grows.