At the center where I work, TR is a riding lesson, the rider learns riding skills and moves up the levels. We have 4 levels, and once they get through level four, they graduate from our program. We do currently have one level four rider who is working with one of our instructors (who is a dressage trainer) and she’s continuing to work on dressage with the goal to show. Obviously some of our riders will never move past level one or two, but the goal is to learn some basic skills.
We have adult and pediatric hippotherapy. The instructors only job in the arena is for safety of horses, riders, volunteers. The therapist (can be a physical, occupational or speech) actually facilitates the lesson. When things are going well, it’s the easiest job ever.
In EFP, the instructor works with a mental health professional, either in a group or individual class, and facilitates the class. The therapist will usually talk about what they want to work on (anger issues, etc.) and the instructor will come up with an exercise or activity that the therapist can use. We do a lot of breathing type exercises. I am an equine massage therapist as well, so I will show clients some massage moves, which is a great way to teach somebody about the horses body language.
We also teach EFL. The instructor teaches the class and it’s generally ground work and basic horsemanship. I do some mounted classes as well, but that’s not the main focus.
Are you anywhere near Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center? They’re in Redmond and are supposed to be amazing. I’ve never been but a friend of mine has and she says it’s an outstanding center and worth a visit.
