Manes & Motions Therapeutic Riding Center, Inc.
Affiliated with HSC Community Services, Inc.
874 Millbrook Road,
Middletown, CT 06457
(860) 685-0008
e-mail: manesandmotions1@yahoo.com
Facility Coordinator: Janice Anderson

"Manes & Motions Mission Statement...to provide benefits in the areas of therapy, education, sport and recreation, through the use of equine facilitated activities, for the purpose of contributing positively to the well-being of individuals living with physical, emotional and/or cognitive disabilities. Manes & Motions will strive to provide theses benefits in a safe, compassionate, challenging and enjoyable environment."

Description of Riding Program

• Our program was developed to contribute to the well being of individuals with disabilities through the proven benefits of therapeutic horseback riding and/or equine related activities. Benefits are provided in the areas of - therapy, education, sport and recreation. In these areas riders may experience physical, sensorial, emotional, cognitive and social gains.
• Manes & Motions is a non-for-profit organization and a member center of the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA).
• Manes & Motions offers (3) semesters: Spring, Summer and Fall; Manes & Motions operates 5 days a week: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
• Any individual, age 4 and up, with a disability is welcome to participate in our therapeutic riding program provided that there are no contraindications to the benefits provided by horseback riding activities. Riders may come from a number of sources including disability groups, healthcare organizations, residential facilities and referrals from the general public.
• All sessions are conducted and overseen by Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructors with the assistance of over 150 dedicated volunteers and seven wonderful program horses.

Brief History of Therapeutic Riding

The value of therapeutic riding was first documented as early as 600 BC by Orbasis of ancient Lydia. However, it wasn't until 1875 that the first "systematic study" of therapeutic riding was reported. The French physician, Chassaign, came to the conclusion that riding was helpful in treating certain types of neurological paralysis after prescribing pony riding as a treatment for a variety of conditions. Chassaign noted improvement in posture, balance and joint movement. He also noted a "striking improvement in morale" in many of his patients.

Riding therapy was introduced in Scandinavia following two outbreaks of paralytic polio in 1946. Behind this movement was Liz Hartel, an accomplished horsewoman who became ill with polio. Able to walk with crutches after surgery and physical therapy, she was determined to ride again. Daily riding restored her muscle strength and coordination. Liz Hartel went on to win the silver medal for dressage at the 1952 Olympics.