Lothlorien is open to the general public and offers adaptive riding, an equine-assisted activity designed to support the cognitive, physical, emotional, and social well-being of individuals with special needs. Participants experience benefits across multiple areas, including health, education, sport, recreation, and leisure.
Our programs provide a safe and welcoming environment where riders can develop horsemanship skills, enjoy horseback riding, and engage with horses while addressing physical, cognitive, mental, and emotional challenges. Adaptive riding encourages participants to develop balance, muscle strength, coordination, and confidence, just like any athletic activity.
Horses’ accepting and tolerant nature allows riders to safely test the limits of their abilities, make thoughtful decisions, and grow under the guidance of our qualified instructors.
The Benefits
Therapeutic riding is much more than sitting on a horse, each rider’s goals are unique, and the benefits are wide-ranging. Some of the ways participants gain skills through therapeutic riding include:
- Fine motor skills: Adjusting how the reins are held helps improve hand and finger coordination.
- Gross motor skills: Mounting and dismounting the horse strengthens large muscle groups.
- Core strength: As the horse moves forward and sways side-to-side, riders engage multiple core muscles in a way that cannot be replicated on the ground.
- Balance and coordination: Riding challenges and develops the body’s ability to stabilize and move efficiently.
- Social skills and sensory integration: Interacting with the horse and instructors encourages communication, emotional regulation, and sensory awareness.
- Confidence building: Using the mounting ramp and completing tasks with the horse helps riders overcome fears and gain self-assurance.
At LTRC, we’ve witnessed riders accomplish remarkable milestones: speaking for the first time while on their horse, engaging more at home and at school, and progressing from fully supported rides to independent riding. Our horses are more than partners, they are confidants, reading companions, playmates, teachers, and sources of joy. With their help, riders develop not only physical and cognitive skills but also confidence, resilience, and a lasting love for the equine connection.
Classes
Lessons at Lothlorien are designed to support the educational, physical, social, and recreational goals of each individual rider. Our certified instructors lead sessions that focus on the abilities and progress of every student. The riding season runs from April through November and is organized into 4, 6, or 8 week sessions. Riders attend one lesson per week for the duration of their chosen session(s).
Each group lesson lasts one hour and typically includes 3 riders. Lessons include mounting, warm-up exercises, skill-building activities or games, a closing activity, and dismounting. Many riders participate in multiple sessions each season to maximize therapeutic benefit.
All programs are conducted by trained instructors with the support of specially trained volunteers. Together with our dedicated horses, our team works to meet the unique needs of every rider. The small miracles that happen each day at LTRC are a testament to the commitment, care, and collaboration of our incredible staff, volunteers, and equine partners.
