BRAVEHEARTS THERAPEUTIC RIDING AND EDUCATIONAL CENTER

BraveHearts provides extensive programming for veterans and their families. BraveHearts provides programming free of charge to every military veteran and has the largest program in the nation using equine-assisted activities to serve veterans. Some programming for veterans includes:
-therapeutic riding
-operation mustang
-retreats
-continuing education opportunities
-foundation horsemanship
-Trail to Zero
-Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy

Hippotherapy is a physical, occupational, and speech-language therapy treatment strategy that utilizes equine movement as part of an integrated intervention plan. Horses provide multidimensional movement, making them an excellent tool for increasing trunk strength, control, and balance.

Equine movement can also be used to facilitate coordination and timing, grading of responses, respiratory control, sensory integration skills, and attention skills. Patients respond enthusiastically to this enjoyable experience in a natural setting.

Foundation horsemanship is based on the principle teachings of Tom Dorrance, who used a resistance free approach to training. Through foundation horsemanship, we use the least amount of pressure applied to the horse on the ground and on his back with an instant release in order to accomplish a willing communication between horse and human. This can have life-changing results.

With foundation horsemanship we teach about the natural instinct of the horse and how they find their place in the herd to fel safe. By following these principles we develop the ability to be strong and quiet leaders which carries over into our everyday lives.

The great thing about working with horses in this way is that horses will not lie. Their every reaction is a direct result of our action, which helps us to look at ourselves and the impact of our actions on things around us. With practice, we develop a harmonious relationship between the human and the horse.

Anyone can benefit from this, from people who have no interest in riding to people who want to pursue a skill of riding, everyone can develop a skill of a soft feel with the horse. Since this is done on the ground and in a round pen it can also easily lead to being on the back of the horse and continuing to build from this.

At BraveHearts we are pleased to offer Equine Assisted Psychotherapy by credentialed mental health therapists. The goal is to help participants clients, through attentive interactions with horses, to reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD as well as achieve self-esteem, confidence, trust, and empathy; to gain a sense of responsibility; and to develop better communication, teamwork, leadership, and social skills.


This technique has been applied to both children and adults, individually and in groups, and to a variety of conditions, including behavioral problems, relationship