Equine Assisted Services

GAIT is a PATH International Premier Accredited Center that offers a variety of Equine Assisted Services (EAS) in horsemanship, learning, and therapy. Our programs are designed to meet the needs of children and adults facing developmental, physical, mental, and emotional challenges. We are committed to inclusivity and are constantly expanding our offerings to accommodate diverse needs to the best of our ability.

Policies & Application: Policies, pricing, and applications for each service are linked on this page. Please contact us to begin the intake process and receive more detailed information for your program options

Safety Notice: For mounted activities, a participant must provide medical clearance from a physician and must comply with GAIT’s weight limit policy, to ensure the safety and longevity of GAIT’s horses. These restrictions do not apply to our unmounted (groundwork) activities.

Therapeutic Riding (TR)

Therapeutic Riding classes are typically conducted within a group setting by a PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI) with the assistance of specially trained volunteers.

Lessons are specifically designed to accommodate the physical, mental, and/or social needs of the rider. Participants, who represent a wide array of challenges and varying ages, are taught basic horseback riding techniques to control the horse’s movement, such as walking or stopping. The rhythmic, multidimensional physical act of riding provides significant therapeutic benefits, including:

Cognitive & Social: Fostering increased attention, communication skills, spatial awareness, and socialization.
Physical: Improvements in balance, posture, trunk control, motor function, and coordination.

Download the Therapeutic Riding application

Equine Assisted Learning (EAL)

Equine Assisted Learning sessions utilize planned ground-based horse-human interaction experiences. PATH Intl. Equine Specialists (ES) partner with educators and other certified professionals to facilitate these activities.

This experiential learning approach is designed to help individuals and small groups develop crucial life skills for personal, educational, and professional growth. Activities are educational, age-appropriate, and designed to encourage participants to function more happily and self-confidently in their everyday lives. Sessions can focus on critical skill development, including:

Communication: Encouraging positive communication and teamwork.
Problem-Solving: Developing practical problem-solving skills.
Coping Strategies: Fostering effective coping and self-regulation strategies.

This program is highly beneficial for a wide range of individuals, including teens-at-risk as identified by the school system, youth advocacy programs, or other professional organizations.

Download the Equine Assisted Learning application

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP)

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy is a highly effective, ground-based experiential approach that utilizes carefully selected horses to address a client’s clinical psychotherapy goals. Each session is facilitated by a licensed mental health professional and a PATH Intl. Equine Specialist.

The horse plays a vital role in providing immediate, honest feedback. As prey animals, horses are highly perceptive to subtle changes within their environment. This inherent sensitivity dictates how they will respond to an individual’s changing emotional state:

If a client arrives feeling anxious, the horse will respond accordingly.
As the client learns to reduce their anxiety, the horse’s behavior will mirror that response.

In effect, the horse acts as a large biofeedback source, providing the client and the professional with tangible information and skill-building opportunities. This experiential approach provides clients with insight for observation and growth while promoting key therapeutic benefits such as:

Life Skills: Healthy communication, self-awareness, and confidence.
Emotional Health: Reduced anxiety, increased patience, and emotional regulation.

Download the Equine Assisted Psychotherapy application

Equine Assisted Therapy Services/ Hippotherapy (HPOT)

Note: This service is currently on hold. We are actively seeking a licensed Speech/Language Pathologist (SLP), Physical Therapist (PT), or Occupational Therapist (OT) who is also a PATH Intl. Registered Therapist to resume this program. Please check back for updates.

GAIT coordinates with a PATH Intl. Registered Therapist (who is also a licensed SLP, PT, or OT) to provide goal-directed treatment to participants. The therapist utilizes the multi-dimensional movement of the horse as a treatment strategy to achieve functional outcomes related to the client’s area of need (e.g., speech, physical, or occupational goals).

In this equine-assisted therapy approach (formerly referred to as “Hippotherapy”), the horse’s natural movement is utilized as a therapy tool/strategy to provide sensory and motor input. The therapist analyzes the client’s responses and adjusts the treatment (the horse’s movement) with the goal of having the client respond in a very specific way. This unique, three-dimensional movement provides essential input to the brain and nervous system, helping to improve:

Postural awareness and sensory processing
Balance and flexibility
Muscle strength and motor function planning

Yoga In Harmony With Horses

Note: Reservations for this program are currently closed. Please check back for our next scheduled session dates.

Experience a unique blend of yoga and equine-assisted wellness in our classes. Participants will engage in a one-hour gentle yoga practice in the company of our gentle and well-trained horses. This program fosters relaxation, balance, and a deep appreciation for the mindful connection between humans and animals.

Learn more HERE