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Founded
in 1990, Riding Unlimited provides
safe and affordable therapeutic horseback riding
instruction for physically, mentally and emotionally
disabled individuals in Dallas, Tarrant, Denton,
Wise and Collin counties.
We are a North American Riding
for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) Premier Accredited Center. Riding Unlimited participants range in age
from 2 to senior adults..
Our
program includes:
 Therapeutic
riding instruction in small groups or individual
classes.
Participation
in Special Olympics Equestrian Competition and other
shows.
Instruction
for the Riding Unlimited exhibition
riders and drill team.
Carriage
driving
Rider
disabilities include:
| Cerebral
Palsy |
Spina
Bifida |
| Attention
Deficit Disorder |
Mental
Retardation |
| Down
Syndrome |
Autism |
| Multiple
Sclerosis |
Visual & Hearing
Impaired |
| Brain
Injury |
At-risk |
Through
exercises such as relay races, obstacle courses
and ring toss, riders learn right-left discrimination,
sequencing, language development and cooperation
while enjoying a pleasurable experience that increases
self-esteem, concentration and confidence.
Physical benefits are realized when riders balance,
support and move their body as though they were walking.
The benefits for the student include improvement
in muscle strength, mobility, body control and balance.
Riders also experience improved respiration, circulation
and digestion.
Riding Unlimited's NARHA certified instructors, a consulting physical therapist and the program participants and/or their parents, develop goals for each student depending on their particular needs and abilities. Students are evaluated and monitored throughout the session by their instructor.
At the end of each session, instructors complete
rider evaluation forms to document progress toward
their goals. Riding Unlimited's overall program
is evaluated on a regular basis by
the Board of Directors.
Riding Unlimited began
in 1990 in a leased facility with six borrowed horses,
70 volunteers, three instructors and 24 riders. In
1997 a 49 acre ranch was purchased to meet the increasing
demands of the program and expand the number of riders
that could be served.
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