Parents

The purpose of this research was to examine the perceived benefits that therapeutic riding has on children with disabilities through the eyes of their parents. The results indicated that there are noted changes in children who are in these types of programs. The results also showed that children developed a great deal of self-esteem working in these programs. They also learn to follow directions to the fullest working around the horses. It was perceived that children learn better socialization skills through interaction with horses. All of the parents believed that the children have to deal with social skills working within the program. Parents believed that they would like to see therapeutic riding in some way a part of the school curriculum or have an option to be able to use these programs. The parents stated that they felt very strong about the collaboration that is involved in keeping and building an effective learning environment within the therapeutic riding centers. Overall it was perceived that Therapeutic Riding could serve as a mechanism for the development of children with disabilities