Inspire Equine Therapy Program

IMPROVE THE LIVES OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AND DISABLED VETERANS THROUGH THERAPEUTIC RIDING AND OTHER EQUINE RELATED PROGRAMS.

ADAPTIVE RIDING IS RECREATIONAL HORSEBACK RIDING LESSONS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. RIDERS LEARN HORSEMANSHIP AND RIDING SKILLS IN AN ENVIRONMENT TAILORED TO THEIR INDIVIDUAL NEEDS AND LEARNING STYLES. WE OFFER INSTRUCTION TO RIDERS OF ALL SKILL LEVELS, FROM PROVIDING SOMEONE'S FIRST CONTACT WITH A HORSE TO ADVANCED INDEPENDENT RIDERS. THE GOALS FOR THOSE IN THE ADAPTIVE RIDING PROGRAM ARE RIDING-SKILL BASED, BUT INDIVIDUALS AND PARENTS OFTEN REPORT MANY THERAPEUTIC BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATION. THESE BENEFITS INCLUDE IMPROVEMENTS IN PHYSICAL STRENGTH, BALANCE, COORDINATION, MOBILITY, SELF-CONFIDENCE, SELF-CONTROL, PEER INTERACTION, AND SOCIAL SKILLS. ADAPTIVE RIDING LESSONS ARE TAUGHT BY PATH INTERNATIONAL CERTIFIED INSTRUCTORS WHO CREATE A WIDE VARIETY OF GAMES AND EXERCISES DESIGNED TO MEET EACH STUDENT'S NEEDS. LESSON PLANS CONSIDER THE RIDER'S PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, AND MENTAL STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS. CLASSES INCLUDE ARENA RIDING, TRAIL RIDES, AND GROUP ACTIVITIES. WITH THE COMBINATION OF A TRUSTED HORSE, INSTRUCTOR, AND GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS, RIDERS BECOME MORE WILLING TO TRY NEW THINGS AND ATTAIN NEW GOALS. A HORSE'S SOOTHING RHYTHM, STRENGTH, WARMTH, AND THREE-DIMENSIONAL MOVEMENT PATTERN PROVIDE 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 HAS BEEN PROVED TO REDUCE ANXIETY, ENCOURAGE INTERACTION, AND OFFER A HAVEN WHERE RIDERS CAN FEEL A SENSE OF EMPOWERMENT.CARRIAGE DRIVING IS A CHALLENGING EQUINE ACTIVITY THAT IS AVAILABLE TO INDIVIDUALS WHO MAY NOT WANT TO OR ARE UNABLE TO RIDE. CARRIAGE DRIVING IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE A WORKING RELATIONSHIP AND DIALOGUE WITH A HORSE. SOME DISABILITIES AFFECT AN INDIVIDUAL'S ABILITY TO SIT ASTRIDE A HORSE, SO THE SECURITY OF THE SEAT IN THE CARRIAGE ALLOWS FOR EQUINE SKILLS TO BE DEVELOPED. SOME INDIVIDUALS HAVE GRAVITATIONAL INSECURITIES THAT LIMIT THEIR DESIRE TO RIDE A HORSE. OTHER INDIVIDUALS ENJOY THE CHALLENGE OF MANEUVERING THE HORSE AND CARRIAGE THROUGH A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT OBSTACLES. ALL THESE CHALLENGES CAN BE OVERCOME IN A CARRIAGE DRIVING LESSON. THE BENEFITS OF CARRIAGE DRIVING INCLUDE IMPROVEMENTS IN BALANCE, POSTURE, COORDINATION, AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING. CARRIAGE DRIVING PROVIDES A RECREATIONAL AND SPORTING EXPERIENCE WITH A HORSE AS WELL AS A MENTAL CHALLENGE LIKE THAT OF RIDING. DRIVING YIELDS THE CHALLENGE OF WORKING IN HARMONY WITH A HORSE AND LEARNING AN EQUINE SKILL STEP BY STEP. IN ADDITION, THERE ARE PHYSICAL BENEFITS FROM CARRIAGE DRIVING, SUCH AS: INCREASED CORE STRENGTH, IMPROVEMENTS IN BALANCE, AND FINE AND GROSS MOTOR COORDINATION. CARRIAGE DRIVING ENCOURAGES THE DEVELOPMENT OF SELF-CONFIDENCE AND EMPOWERS INDIVIDUALS TO MAKE CHOICES AND DEMONSTRATE A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE HORSE AS VARIOUS MANEUVERS ARE LEARNED. IT CAN IMPROVE THE COGNITIVE SKILLS OF SEQUENCING, FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS AND DIFFERENTIATING BETWEEN LEFT AND RIGHT, ETC. DRIVING IS ANOTHER VENUE FOR SOCIALIZING WITH OTHER PARTICIPANTS, THE VOLUNTEERS, AND INSTRUCTORS, AND OF COURSE, THE HORSE. IT OFFERS ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY FOR DEVELOPING RELATIONSHIPS, EQUINE AND HUMAN, OF MUTUAL RESPECT AND TRUST. CARRIAGE DRIVING SERVES A VARIETY OF PEOPLE WITH VARYING DEGREES OF DISABILITIES AND CHALLENGES.EQUINE-FACILITATED LEARNING IS AN EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING APPROACH THAT PROMOTES THE DEVELOPMENT OF LIFE SKILLS FOR EDUCATIONAL, PROFESSIONAL, AND PERSONAL GOALS THROUGH EQUINE-ASSISTED ACTIVITIES. THIS EXPERIENTIAL APPROACH INTEGRATES HORSE-HUMAN INTERACTION THAT IS GUIDED BY A PLANNED LEARNING EXPERIENCE TO MEET THE IDENTIFIED GOALS OR DESIRES OF THE PARTICIPANT(S). SIMPLY PUT, EFL IS WHERE WE TAKE INDIVIDUALS WHO WANT TO HELP IMPROVE THEIR LIFE SKILLS OUT TO WORK WITH THE HORSES. THROUGH WORKING WITH HORSES AND THROUGH THIS PROCESS OF BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS AND CONNECTIONS THEY CAN BETTER LEARN HOW THEY RELATE TO THEMSELVES, EACH OTHER, AND THEIR ENVIRONMENT. STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT INTERACTING WITH HORSES CAN POSITIVELY IMPACT: -DECISION-MAKING AND PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS -CREATIVE THINKING AND CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS -COMMUNICATION AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS -SELF-AWARENESS AND EMPATHY -ABILITY TO COPE WITH EMOTIONS AND COPE WITH STRESS -FEELING OF EMPOWERMENT -ABILITY TO DEVELOP HEALTHY CONNECTIONS WITH OTHERSWHY HORSES? HORSES LIVE IN THE PRESENT MOMENT AND BRING THEMSELVES INTO RELATIONSHIP AUTHENTICALLY. HORSES ARE HIGHLY ATTUNED TO HUMAN EMOTIONS AND CHALLENGE US TO STAY CONGRUENT WITH OUR FEELINGS WHEN RELATING WITH THEM. IN RETURN, THEY OFFER US NON-JUDGMENTAL AND HONEST FEEDBACK, AND TEACH US TO BE MORE AWARE OF THE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN OUR MIND, BODY, AND EMOTIONS THROUGH OUR BREATH AND BODY SENSATIONS. THIS ALLOWS US THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT OURSELVES AND OUR ENVIRONMENT AND RELATE TO OTHERS IN A DIFFERENT WAY.INSPIRE EQUINE ASSISTED CENTER PARTNERS WITH SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITIES TO PROVIDE EQUINE ASSISTED ACTIVITIES TO ADDRESS THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF OUR COUNTY'S SENIOR CITIZENS WHO MAY OR MAY NOT BE IN RESIDENTIAL CARE, REHAB FACILITIES, OR OTHER LONG-TERM CARE SETTINGS. EQUINE ASSISTED ACTIVITIES CAN HELP SENIORS RECONNECT WITH MEMORIES, IMPROVE FINE MOTOR FUNCTION, AND PROVIDES A FUN NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR SOCIAL INTERACTION!INSPIRE EQUINE ASSISTED CENTER IS PLEASED TO HAVE AN ADAPTIVE EQUESTRIAN SPORTS TEAM THAT REPRESENTS PINELLAS COUNTY EVERY YEAR AT SPECIAL OLYMPICS FLORIDA AREA AND STATE GAMES. WE FOCUS OUR ADAPTIVE SPORTS ON BOTH RIDING AND DRIVING COMPETITIONS. THIS INCLUDES WORKING WITH NOT ONLY SPECIAL OLYMPICS, BUT ALSO WITH THE PARA OLYMPICS.FREEDOM HEROES AND EQUINES PROGRAMS THIS IS OUR FREE VETERANS PROGRAMMING. WE OFFER THREE SEPARATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR VETERANS TO PARTICIPATE IN. THE FIRST OPTION IS OUR CARRIAGE DRIVING. I CAN OFFER INDIVIDUAL OR SMALL GROUP LESSONS. WITH CARRIAGE DRIVING, THE VETERANS CAN EXPERIENCE FREEDOM OF BEING ABLE TO GO "FAST" RIGHT AWAY WITH NO NEEDED EXTRA SUPPORT. OUR HORSEMANSHIP PROGRAM IS AN 8-WEEK PROGRAM WHERE THE VETERAN PICKS AN INDIVIDUAL HORSE THAT THEY GET TO WORK WITH EVERY WEEK. THEY LEARN GROOMING, LEADING, AND COMPLETE OTHER PARTNERSHIP ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THEIR JOURNEY. FINALLY, OUR EQUINE FACILITATED LEARNING IN PERSONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT IS A PARTICIPANT LED PROGRAM THAT FOCUSES ON SOCIAL OR EMOTIONAL GOALS THE INDIVIDUAL WANTS TO WORK ON WITH THE PARTNERSHIP OF THE HORSE.