Therapeutic Riding-A personal Journey

My journey with therapeutic riding began when I got involved with a local community group setting up a therapeutic riding centre. I was lucky enough to witness first-hand the incredible benefits and impact that therapeutic riding had — particularly for individuals facing physical, mental, social, and emotional challenges. As a volunteer, I helped prepare ponies for sessions, led them during rides, and observed the beautiful connection between pony, rider, and coach. It quickly became clear just how powerful this work was, and that it could genuinely change lives. That experience inspired me to qualify as a therapeutic riding coach myself.

Although I haven’t coached for a few years, I’ve continued to weave many of the techniques and philosophies of therapeutic riding into my standard lessons — especially when working with young children. Having family members on the autistic spectrum has also deepened my understanding of how beneficial these approaches can be, both in therapeutic settings and mainstream riding.

For young riders, the increased body awareness, confidence, and emotional connection fostered in these sessions lay a strong foundation for future riding skills. We already know that nature and animals offer profound support for our physical and mental wellbeing — and anyone who spends regular time around ponies will know how peaceful and healing that connection can feel. I’m planning a follow-up post that dives deeper into the scientific reasons behind these benefits. But for now, I wanted to briefly highlight some of the physical advantages therapeutic riding can offer, and share a short story along with some photos from a session.

Physical Benefits

When we ride, the movement of the pony closely replicates the action of walking. This makes riding a fantastic way to strengthen core muscles and provide essential input — especially for those who may be wheelchair users or have limited strength or mobility in their legs.The pony’s rhythmic movement also offers vital sensory regulation. The feel of the pony, the textures of the equipment, and even the elements — sun, wind, or rain — all create rich sensory experiences.Therapeutic riding supports proprioceptive awareness and body-space understanding through engaging games: catching, throwing, balancing hoops or beanbags — sometimes watching them tumble off the rider’s head as they laugh and try to stay steady.

The ponies who support this work are truly special: patient, intuitive, and incredibly tuned in.

The Feel of a Session

It’s hard to pick just one moment to share — every session holds something special. But the feelings that regularly fill the space are consistent: excitement, giggles, connection, learning, peace, and calm.

For anyone looking for a holistic way to find stillness, promote emotional regulation, encourage physical development, and build confidence, therapeutic riding is a wonderful path to explore. The knowledge, skills, and awareness I’ve gained through volunteering, observing, and coaching in this field have given me a deep respect for the powerful bond between people and ponies. It’s incredibly rewarding work and something I hope to return to more fully in the future.

If you’d be interested in links to studies or a deeper dive into the science behind therapeutic riding, let me know in the comments. And if you have your own experiences, I’d love to hear them.