Equi-Ed Inc

Equi-Ed offers to students with and without disabilities who participate in therapeutic riding and vaulting, the opportunity to experience physical, emotional and mental benefits:

Increased balance, muscle control and strength: Horseback riding gently and rhythmically moves the human body in a manner similar to the human walking gait thereby providing the upper and lower body sensation and mental image of walking. It stimulates passive exercise, which increases cardiovascular, musculatory and respiratory strength.

Increased concentration, patience, and discipline: Activities such as grooming, identifying parts of tack, maneuvering through an obstacle course, learning a simple dressage pattern provide opportunities for problem solving, impulse control and sequencing.

Improved social skills and personal relationships. As a social creature, the horse will readily bond with humans with no pre-judgment, in this unique relationship trust and communication can be developed.

Disabilities which can benefit include paralysis, autism, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, amputations, multiple sclerosis, head injury, developmental delays, learning disabilities, spina bifida, deaf, blind, and those who have experienced emotional or physical trauma.

Equi-Ed offers vaulting, therapeutic riding, competition and horsemanship opportunities to its students with and without special needs. It operates on a year round basis.

Equi-Ed staff have education and experience, or are currently working in the fields of: counseling, equine science, education, behavior analysis, and recreation therapy.

Instructor certifications are held in C.P.R. and First aid, Certified Horsemanship Association (vaulting), registered and advanced PATH riding, and Certified Equine Interaction Professional in Education.

Equi-Ed maintains an affiliation with Santa Rosa Junior College and its Equine Science and Adapted P.E. departments.