Emerald M Therapeutic Riding Center

 My name is Brianna, I am 16 years old, and a quintuplet (5 kids born at the same time).  I have three brothers and a sister.  I have a disability called Cerebral Palsy. It’s where I have tightness in my legs and muscles, referred to as Spastic Dystonia.  So, to help me walk, I use a K-walker; however, I don’t let it stop me from doing what I like, because with will and determination, you can accomplish anything. Roughly a little over a year ago, my therapist Mrs. Christine referred me to Emerald M Farm and that’s where I met Mrs. Lisa Michelangelo.  Emerald M Farm is a place where disabled kids can go to get therapy through riding horses.  The moment I arrived there, I knew it was the start of something incredible.  So eventually, I had my first lesson and at this time I was working on the horse therapy aspect of it all.  I love it so much, I told my mom and dad after we got home that this is definitely what I want to do for a long time.  It honestly made me so happy realizing that I found something I am passionate about and that I love doing…”

 Welcome to Emerald M Therapeutic Riding Center. Through the use of equine assisted therapies, we strive to bring hope into the lives of people we serve, a renewed sense of self, and an opportunity for growth.

  Brianna was referred to Emerald M Therapeutic Riding Center two years ago by her clinical, physical therapist with four goals:  Improve strength, balance, AROM, and ability to ambulate.

  She presented with a slouched posture, primarily to the right, and ignored the left side of her body.  Her core fatigued very quickly, and her tone was excessive, causing her to move as one whole unit, not as individual parts.

  Because a horse’s gait cycle replicates a human’s pelvic and lower body motion, Brianna was essentially able to physically and mentally “feel” the natural motion of walking.  With months of Hippotherapy, Brianna was able to develop incredible core strength and endurance.  She is now aware of her left side, and has learned how to move her head without moving her whole body.

  Through the facilitation of Emerald M Therapeutic Riding Center, Brianna’s determination and “can do” attitude, and our magnificent horses’ love and patience, Brianna made incredible strides, and progressed into therapeutic riding, where she has learned basic riding and horsemanship skills.  Her accomplishments are a true testament to her strength of character, and, with the implementation of Hippotherapy, Brianna has continued to evolve into a beautiful young lady, who brings joy and smiles to everyone, and refuses to accept limitations.

  Hippotherapy is a strategy used by Physical, Occupational and/or Speech Therapists to utilize the movement of the horse, along with traditional therapeutic techniques, to achieve the desired motor and sensory outcomes of the participant. The horse provides multidimensional movement and multi-sensory input in an organized fashion which can help to improve a variety of deficits, such as, PTSD, Autism, behavioral/psycho-social disorders, cerebral palsy, as well as a wide range of physical disabilities.

  Therapeutic riding is a recreational form of therapy that can be taught by a non-therapist instructor and  focuses on developing horsemanship skills on and off the saddle.  Just as in hippotherapy, therapeutic riding can improve sensory and motor skills that carryover into improving balance, coordination, strength, and posture.  Many of our participants have graduated from hippotherapy and moved on to therapeutic riding.  

 Horses mimic human emotion like no other animal.  They have an uncanny ability to sense the intent of anything and everyone around them, which creates an amazing connection with the participant.

  Emerald M Therapeutic Riding Center is not just a “place” to seek help for physical or emotional challenges, it’s a triad of therapist, horse, and participant, it’s a steady journey toward the center of yourself, toward a reconnection to life, a progression of steady milestones on a path of recovery.

 Emerald M Therapeutic Riding Center believes in the whole person and is an amazing option for individuals or families seeking Hope, Renewal, and Growth.