Welcome to STARS

Riding a horse is a fun hobby for many people, but for someone with a disability it can be much more--it can be the road to recovery. People with physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities are discovering the benefits of therapeutic horseback riding. Whether it's a five-year old with cerebral palsy or a 45-year old recovering from a spinal cord injury, horseback riding provides challenges as well as amazing rewards.

The benefits of horseback riding are as numerous as the types of medical conditions. Research shows that participation in therapeutic riding can produce physical, emotional and mental rewards. Because riding gently and rhythmically moves the rider's body in a manner similar to the human gait, riders with physical disabilities often show improvement in flexibility, balance, coordination and muscle strength. For those with mental or emotional disabilities, the unique bond formed with the horse can lead to greater independence, patience and self-esteem, improved learning, concentration and spatial awareness, and increased motivation to set and achieve goals.