Spirit Ridge Equine Center
School Programs
Spirit Ridge School Programs allows children from the school come out to the farm for a two hour, two part program. These children are in grades1-12.
Therapeutic Riding:
All these measurable therapeutic benefits come without the rider even being aware of being in therapy! The benefits are not only physical in nature or reserved for individuals with physical disabilities. There are emotional and psychological benefits as well. Horses are non-judgmental; they do not laugh when told secrets. They provide a strong shoulder to lean on and they do not shun people who are a little different.
* Improves balance and coordination
* Provides passive stretch for tight muscles
* Replicates a muscle movement pattern like that of walking
* Improves posture
* Strengthens muscles by encouraging muscular response
* Increases awareness of one’s body in space (proprioceptive)
* Stimulates the vestibular, nervous and circulatory systems
* Improves range of motion
All Riding Instructors are certified with Professional Association Therapeutic Horsemanship, International (PATH Intl.)
Class Room Activities:
Class time at Spirit Ridge this year will be great. We just finished our big new classroom/conference room for the school children. Our curriculum this year at Spirit Ridge will be "Cowboy Poetry". It is a study of good moral and good choices that have to be made in everyday life. After the students return from the arena we will use some of their experiences with their horses to make the class more interesting and fun. The class is taught by a certified teacher and the curriculum meets Arkansas School Standards.
The kids love all the activities we have for them.
Therapeutic Riding:
All these measurable therapeutic benefits come without the rider even being aware of being in therapy! The benefits are not only physical in nature or reserved for individuals with physical disabilities. There are emotional and psychological benefits as well. Horses are non-judgmental; they do not laugh when told secrets. They provide a strong shoulder to lean on and they do not shun people who are a little different.
* Improves balance and coordination
* Provides passive stretch for tight muscles
* Replicates a muscle movement pattern like that of walking
* Improves posture
* Strengthens muscles by encouraging muscular response
* Increases awareness of one’s body in space (proprioceptive)
* Stimulates the vestibular, nervous and circulatory systems
* Improves range of motion
All Riding Instructors are certified with Professional Association Therapeutic Horsemanship, International (PATH Intl.)
Class Room Activities:
Class time at Spirit Ridge this year will be great. We just finished our big new classroom/conference room for the school children. Our curriculum this year at Spirit Ridge will be "Cowboy Poetry". It is a study of good moral and good choices that have to be made in everyday life. After the students return from the arena we will use some of their experiences with their horses to make the class more interesting and fun. The class is taught by a certified teacher and the curriculum meets Arkansas School Standards.
The kids love all the activities we have for them.
- Easter Egg Hunt on Horse Back
- Horse-O-Ween
- Christmas on the Ridge( Santa comes with a wagon full of gifts for the kids).
- Year End cook Out
The study of horse care and horse behavior is also taught here at Spirit Ridge. Here is one of our instructors teaching a class about horse care.
Our volunteers are very important at the school programs. Students sign up to come out with the special needs kids and help with the classes. The kids usually get to come out twice a year with the Spirit Ridge clients. This is Horse-o-Ween Day and the cheerleaders are dressed up like football players.
