Golden Dreams Therapeutic Riding Center is a non-profit 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to enriching the lives of children and adults with disabilities in Loudoun and surrounding Counties in Virginia. Individuals with almost any cognitive, physical, and/or emotional disability can benefit from therapeutic riding through safe, supervised interaction with equines. These activities are tailored to the individual’s specific needs to create the most beneficial program possible. Equestrian exercises have been shown to improve balance, coordination and communication, emotional strength, physical strength, posture and stamina. Additionally, the activities we offer are fun and rewarding to our participants. Riding lessons are taught by NARHA Certified riding instructors assisted by up to three trained volunteers per rider.
In addition to the riding lessons, Golden Dreams offers special needs programs for regional schools and awareness programs for schools and the community at large. We also participate annually in the Loudoun County Farm Tour.
Benefits of Therapeutic Riding
Therapeutic horseback riding provides many benefits to the physical, cognitive and emotional well being of all riders. Through the horse’s rhythmic movement the rider is better able to organize information to the brain which allows for greater concentration and memory. Riders are given a relaxed environment in which learning and physical activity can be fun as well as educational.
The horse provides an unconditional partnership in which increased self esteem, self empowerment and a sense of well being can flourish. The horse’s body provides warmth to muscles with high tone thereby aiding in relaxation. Other benefits include increased muscle strength, improved balance, joint mobility and coordination. Through the social interaction with peers, volunteers and instructors, riders are able to build relationships in a non judgmental and supportive environment.
Riding
To get started, call the center at (540) 687-5800 and fill out the registration packet. To adapt to the rider’s needs, the forms include one for the rider’s physician to fill out telling us about his/her needs and strengths to enable our staff to create the best individually tailored program.
Military families are welcomed and supported through a military sponsorship-Please ask for details.
March 9, 2009 |
Posted by admin |
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August 7, 2008
I had always heard of therapeutic Riding Centers for children and adults, and up until this summer I had never been to one. Golden Dreams Riding center was such a warm and friendly place to be, I found my self-wanting to go with my cousins every time they went for riding (even it was cutting into my summer sleeping in time). Not only were the directors of the center very friendly, but even the owner (Lisa) came up to visit the riders. Lisa is the kind of person who loves her farm to death-you can tell by how she greets people, how she takes pride in her programs and how she treats her staff. When I arrived, she was surprised to see a new face and treated me like family instantly. I wasn’t there for the riding, but she and the directors loved to see me at the stables each time I visited. What I saw at the stables was different from other stables I had been to. The horses had personality and were always completely under control. Horses out in the pasture happily ran along side the fence with joy and excitement of seeing the riders and instructors. Another thing I remember was this beautiful friendly Golden Retriever named Bailey. Even the family dog was calm, and welcoming. Thanks Golden dreams for making my visit to Virginia with my cousins a great memory. Hope to see you again when my cousins ride. Thanks for brightening their lives and giving them something to be proud of and to brag about. Stephanie (age 18- visiting from Pa)
May 25, 2008
Golden Dreams Therapeutic Riding program has been and continues to be a wonderful experience for our family, especially for our 15 yr old daughter, Teylor.
Our beautiful daughter was born with a seizure disorder, autism and a visual impairment, so day to day activities for her, require assistance. Since starting at Golden Dreams in the summer of 2007, Teylor has gained a greater sense of confidence in just about everything she does. She is more likely to try something ‘new’, and transitioning from one activity to another has become almost routine (for persons with ASD’s, this is a very big deal!)
The staff at Golden Dreams is able to develop riding plans that are specific for the needs of each individual rider and Teylor holds her head high, back straight and commands the horse when she gets in the saddle! These traits are carried out at home, school and her community.
– Linda Reid
May 23, 2008
I taught, evented and trained horses as a hobby until 1990 when I found out I had multiple sclerosis. My riding became pleasure riding. As my balance got worse, I moved my horse to a friend out of state as taking care of him was now a liability and I stopped riding. Following some intense physical therapy for gait and balance issues during 2006 and 2007, it occurred to me that many of the exercises could also be accomplished on horseback so I started searching.
I found a brochure for Golden Dreams Therapeutic Riding in a tack store in Middleburg and the search began. Golden Dreams was the only program that I found in the Fairfax, Loudon Country area that had a program willing to include independent disabled riders. I can still ride and compete, I just need assistance with the basics - mounting, dismounting grooming, etc. As I figured, the balance exercises when incorporated with riding made major improvements in my ability to walk and stand more steadily and to re-learn how to ‘re-educate’ my neurological system to compensate for the deficiencies. The staff is awesome and very helpful. By combining physical therapy and knowledge of the movement of the horse, and horsemanship, a very powerful sense of accomplishment and progress has been created. My balance is better and as is my confidence in being able to get around especially around horses.
– Kate Bailey
