Program
riders
presently
come
to
Dream
Riders
from
families
in
the
midlands
of
South
Carolina,
local
community
group
homes,
and
a
variety
of
special
needs
agencies
who
feel
an
individual
may
benefit
from
the
program.
Classes
are
geared
to
each
rider
as
an
individual,
and
are
aimed
towards
his
or
her
ability.
With
the
help
of
our
certified
instructors
and
volunteers,
a
rider
gains
a
feeling
of
personal
accomplishment
and
a
freedom
of
movement
they
normally
cannot
experience
in
a
wheelchair
or
with
other
aiding
devices.
Most
importantly,
our
riders
can
benefit
physically,
emotionally
and
mentally
through
the
interaction
with
the
horses,
instructors,
volunteers
and
fellow
equestrians,
which
makes
this
a
truly
unified
sport.
Some special needs served at PATH Intl. Centers:
Down Syndrome, Intellectually Challenged, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, Developmental Delay, Amputations, MS,
Stroke, and other special needs.
What Dream Riders Has Given Me!
Horseback
riding
and
the
Dream
Riders
program
have
many
benefits.
First,
they
have
improved
my
social
skills.
Second,
they
have
also
boosted
my
mental
health.
Additionally,
horseback
riding
has
also
increased
my
stamina.
Therefore,
since
the
purpose
of
therapy
is
to
address
those
kinds
of
issues,
horseback
riding
and
the
Dream
Riders
program should be considered a form of therapy.
A
major
component
to
therapy
is
learning
how
to
socialize
with
others.
The
Dream
Riders
program
is
conducive
to
this
goal
since
through
it
I
have
met
a
variety
of
people.
This
opportunity
to
work
and
interact
with
others
is
important
for
the
development
of
my
social
skills.
Additionally,
by
taking
care
of
the
horses
and
riding
them,
I
have
formed
bonds
with
the
horses.
Those
relationships
are
good
for
my
wellbeing
since
understanding
the
thought
processes
and
emotions
of
the
horses
increases
my
empathy,
compassion
and
social
awareness.
This
companionship
and
friendship
that
I
have
with
the
horses is also beneficial because it is unconditional.
Horseback
riding
especially
dressage
is
therapeutic
because
it
requires
coping
mechanisms
such
as
multitasking
and
the
development
of
self.
When
riding,
I
have
to
be
aware
of
my
surroundings.
I
also
have
to
have
correct
posture.
Additionally,
I
have
to
hold
the
reins
a
certain
way
in
order
to
steer
accurately.
At
the
same
time,
I
complete
obstacles
such
as figure eights, circles, serpentines, and trotting. Finishing those tasks builds my self-esteem and confidence.
Therapy
is
meant
to
incorporate
all
aspects
of
a
person’s
health.
Since
horseback
riding
involves
coordination
and
balance,
it
is
a
form
of
exercise.
A
prime
example
of
this
is
when
I
am
slightly
raised
and
bending
over
the
horse
which
is
a
movement
known
as
two
point
position.
Horseback
riding
also
tones
and
flexes
the
muscles.
The
riding
position
heels
down
toes
up
stretches
my
calves
and
legs.
Since
exercise
is
vital
for
physical
health,
horseback
riding
is
good
for
my
physical heath.
Horseback
riding
should
be
considered
a
form
of
therapy
since
it
addresses
the
same
issues
that
I
work
on
with
my
regular
therapist.
First,
it
helps
to
develop
my
social
and
mental
skills.
Second,
it
increases
my
self-esteem
and
confidence.
Finally, it enhances my physical health. Thus, horseback riding corresponds with the main objectives of therapy.
by
Laura Robertson
A DREAM TO RIDE
Rider's Registration Packet
Click
on
Rider’s
Registration
Packet
above
to
link
to
a
PDF
file
which
you
can
then
print
out
and
complete
the
forms
and
send
to
the
Dream
Riders’ address on the packet cover letter
Rider Handbook Booklet
Use PayPal to make
online Rider’s
Session Payment
“Our mission is to provide an
opportunity for people with special
needs to benefit from equine
assisted activities in a safe and
rewarding environment.”
DREAM RIDERS
PATH International Premier
Accredited Riding Center
DREAMS BECOME A REALITY THROUGH GOD’S HELPING HANDS AT DREAM RIDERS
“Myself
and
my
whole
family
feel
very
strongly
about
Dream
Riders.
Our
daughter,
Jameson,
is
a
survivor
of
infant
stroke.
She
has
cerebral
palsy
and
has
been
in
therapy
since
she
was
three
months
old.
Dream
Riders
offers
Jameson
an
alternative
to
traditional
therapy
as
well
as
the
opportunity
to
truly
succeed
in
an
individual
sport.
We
were
excited
about
therapeutic
riding
ever
since
we
learned
of
it
and
we
feel
so
grateful
that
Jameson
was
accepted
into
the
program
at
Dream
Riders.
We
have
watched
our
daughter
grow
in
many
ways
since
beginning
the
program
over
one
year
ago.
Jameson
talks
with
pride
about
"her"
horse,
she
is
excited
on
her
day
to
ride,
she
loves
the
people
who
encompass
Dream
Riders
and
she
feels
comfortable
and
at
ease
on
the
farm,
so
much
so
that
she
lets
her
silly
side
show.
Dream
Riders
has
worked
diligently
with
Jameson
to
strengthen
her
right
side
and
to
elicit
more
flexibility
in
her
range.
Jameson's
core
was
weakened
by
her
stroke
and
therapeutic
riding
is
an
excellent
way
to
rebuild
core
strength
which
in
turn
enables
her
to
overcome
even
more
physical
challenges.
I
can
envision
that
Jameson
may
one
day
pursue
horse
riding
on
her
own
accord,
and
not
just
for
therapeutic
reasons,
because
Dream
Riders
has
provided
such
a
safe
and
caring
environment
for
which
she
can
truly
succeed.
We
love
the
people
and
the
horses
of
Dream
Riders
and
we
look
forward
to
many
more
successful
years
for
Jameson and her therapeutic riding.”
Dianne Buckley
Stories By Parents On What Dream Riders Means To Their Family
“My
5
½
year
old
daughter,
Skylar,
participates
in
Dream
Riders
program.
We
have
really
noticed
an
increase
in
Skylar’s
balance
and
core
muscle
strength
and
motivation
to
communicate
with
her
“words”
and
sign
language
since
coming
to
Dream
Riders.
It
is
our
biggest
event
of
the
week
that
we
both
look
forward
to
going
on
our
weekly
“dates”
to.
Every
time
she
rides,
she
has
a
permanent
SMILE!
With
all
of
the
struggles,
to
escape
from
everything
and
s
eeing
a
smile
this
big
makes
it
all
worth
it.
We
will
forever
be
thankful
for
being
able
to
enjoy
what
I
imagine
heaven
to
be
like
because
of
the
time,
sweat,
energy,
and
money
that
is
put
into
Dream
Riders
to
make
this
possible
for
my
daughter.
We
are
always
welcomed
as
if
we
are
family
because
we
share
the
same
bond
with
Mrs
Jennifer
and
Mrs
Corky
and
all
of
the
other
"angel"
volunteers.
We
could
not
thank
the
people
(and
horses)
enough
for
providing
the
caring
and
friendly atmosphere that has made such a huge difference to us.”
“We
are
the
Yates'
family.
We
have
twin
handicapped
daughters.
The
girls
were
born
prematurely
and
have
faced
many
hurdles
in
their
lives.
Elisabeth
is
wheelchair
bound,
but
riding
is
not
her
thing.
Amy
is
our
rider.
And
she
is
a
joyous
rider.
Tuesday's
are
lesson
days
and
her
very
favorite
time
of
the
week.
We've
made
it
into
a
momma/daughter
day.
She
calls
it
"our
big
day!"
She
bounces
in
her
seat
when
we
turn
into
the
Dream
Riders
drive.
I
don't
complain
about
having
special
needs
children.
They
are
a
blessing
for
us,
but
often
parts
aren't
much
fun.
Amy
has
had
5
major
brain
surgeries,
had
a
lung
removed,
suffers
from
seizures
and
falls
into
the
autism
spectrum
and
has
cerebral
palsy.
And
that's
just
off
the
top
of
my
head.
So,
when
a
place
presents
a
time
of
complete
fun
it
becomes
dear
to
our
hearts.
Dream
Riders
gives
us
that
space
of
undiluted
joy.
And
at
the
same
time
Amy
is
working
on
keeping
muscles
loose
and her spine straight. Her cerebral palsy is markedly better after riding.”
“My
son,
Chase,
is
10
and
has
been
a
rider
in
the
Dream
Riders
program
since
he
was
4
years
old.
I
look
at
some
of
the
pictures
that
were
taken
when
he
first
sta
rted
the
program
compared
to
recent
pictures
and
the
one
thing
that
has
remained
the
same
is
the
smile
on
his
face!
It
is
an
absolute
joy
for
Chase
when
it's
his
afternoon
to
go
and
ride.
It's
a
combination
of
being
with
people
he
loves
and
getting
to
do
something
that
brings
such
happiness
to
him.
Dream
Riders
is
definitely
Chase's
"happy
place!"
I
can't
say
enough
good
things
about
the
instructors,
the
volunteers,
the
riders
and
the
horses
that
are
involved
in
this
program.
I
wish
everyone
had
an
opportunity
to
come
out
one
afternoon
and
see
the
smiles
on
the
faces
of
all
the
riders.
It's
priceless!
It
is
so
important
for
all
kids
to
feel
a
sense
of
belonging
but
for
special
needs
kids
it's
even
more
important
and
harder
to
find.
We
feel
truly
blessed
to
have
such
a
wonderful
program
right
here
in
our
community
that
Chase
can
be
a
part
of.
For
Chase,
this
program
has
given
him
so
much
confidence
and
helped
him
in
so
many
areas
including
speech
(he
loves
to
talk
and
sing
to
the
instructors
and
volunteers
while
riding!)
to help him become the outgoing young man that we all know and love today!”
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Riders on
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