Riding horses can be a natural panacea for anyone seeking to heal problems through alternative measures. Learn how to use horse riding as therapy properly from a horseback riding instructor in this equestrian video.
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Kathy Kentala has been a horse enthusiast since she was six years old. Kathy owns the Bee Cave Riding Center in Texas and specializes in training youth groups.
We absolutely enjoy and encourage all riders to come seek us out whether they have special needs, have had previous medical histories because we're so excited about the fact that riding can bring someone to not only an emotional wellness but also a physical wellness. Horseback riding has been noted to mimic ambulation more than any other sport so we have a lot of programs in communities that highlight those for wheelchair bound and other physical disabilities. We are not certified here so we don't offer the physical disability to that great of length; however, we do have many special needs riders that come to use who want to increase their core tone and to become just more physically healthy following some medical need. We also serve populations that have special needs in other ways but what we encourage the most about when looking for a program that might offer something that meets your personal needs, ask a few questions, seek out a barn in your community who is open to and willing to provide a very safe mount. We always say we want to provide you with that horse that when you leave you can't wait to do more. We're going to provide you with a horse that's rather slow, maybe a little bit on the lazier side so you feel that you brought your strength back and your confidence to embark on something more challenging. Make sure that they have a good safety record. Ask a little bit about their safety program and then be sure that if you feel like you need somebody more than one person to help instruct you, someone who might be able to lead and guide you in the beginning, that they would offer that as well. We think there are a lot of nice horse programs in every community that are very willing to open up their stables and encourage riders to come and meet their needs after they've had some medical challenge.
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