T & C Angel Ranch

Mission Statement

T & C Foundation Angel Ranch Therapy Program mission is

Meet our Therapy Horses below our Mission Statement.

Provide riding therapy to students with such physical and mental disabilities as autism, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, spina bifida, blindness, and Downs syndrome, as well as learning and other developmental challenges. Students are currently accepted as young as three years old, dedicated volunteers , "sidewalkers" for students who need assistance. The reward for performing these vital services is the special friendships that develop with the riders

Most Children who participate in therapeutic riding experience increased verbalization, motor skills or mobility.

Some of the conditions that have been treated with therapeutic riding include:

Who Can Benefit ? physical, emotional disabilities attending therapeutic riding sessions building a trusted, accepting the horse as their partner and are surrounded by supportive instructor and volunteers ,or Mom & Dad . The horse's soothing rhythm, strength, warmth, and three-dimensional movement pattern provides healthy exercise while improving circulation and muscle tone. The discipline associated with working with horses and the social interactions between peers benefit the mind and spirit while raising self-esteem and increasing self-sufficiency through accomplishment. The unconditional love of the horses is proved to reduce anxiety, encourage interaction and offer a haven where riders can feel a sense of empowerment.

What is Therapeutic Riding?
The personal goals set for each rider vary as much as the riders do. Improved physical strength, muscle tone, balance, mobility and hand-eye coordination are some of the visibly enhanced skills. The more subtle improvements are increased self-esteem, self-control and self-confidence. These goals are reached through a highly individualized lesson plan of learning to ride the horse with the instructor taking into account the rider's physical, emotional, and mental strengths and limitations.

The increased attention, concentration, learning, and verbal skills that are inherent in learning to ride successfully lead to the magical bond with the horse, leading to improved social skills such as making new friends and respecting authority.

Therapeutic Riding consists of the therapy horse or pony, the volunteer(s),or Mother /Father , the rider and the instructor - . Therapeutic Riding lessons are a half hour to a hour long . These therapeutic benefits include increased muscle tone and strength; decreased spasticity, improved hand/eye coordination, balance, mobility, sequencing, sensory integration, color-number-letter identification and task directives. Additionally, our group lessons provide opportunities to enhance interaction and communication with peers, cooperation, turn taking, patience building, increased self-esteem and a heighten sense of well-being. Horseback Riding is highly motivating and FUN.

Goals are thoughtfully developed to independence and to provide challenging and educational activities. Input is from parents/guardians, rider, teacher and an instructor's lesson plan may include a wide variety of games and exercises designed to increase the rider's ability to listen, learn, and communicate. In addition, all riders work on improving their riding skills and a willingness to try new things and attain new goals. Riders not only improve their riding skills but there are opportunities for the whole horse experience such as Learning how to care for the horse , grooming, leading the horse , learning how to saddle & Bridle the horse etc.

New riders begin their riding experience at T & C Angel Ranch Riding Program with one volunteer leading the horse and a volunteer on either side of the horse assisting with the posture and balance of the rider for safety. Riders that consistently demonstrate improved riding and horsemanship skills may very well advance to riding independently.

Trail in Hand : The Child learns out to control the horse while leading it thur a Trail Course . The Trail in hand will help improve physical health, relax tight muscles, increase balance, build muscle strength, sharpen hand/eye coordination, improve social skills, and gain a sense of control and self-confidence as the Child experiences a freedom never felt before.