The horse motivates riders to use their hands, legs and voice in ways they've never done before. Children who are deaf learn to balance better. Children who are blind learn good posture, which strengthens their muscles to help them hold their heads up. Children with Cerebral Palsy break their tendency to bend their legs inward because they're forced to stretch their muscles outward to stay atop the horse. But often more important than the physical accomplishments is that riding horses increases a sense of self worth and self-esteem.

Therapeutic Riding is the core of our program. Certified NARHA instructors, with trained volunteers, assist riders to achieve goals, acquire horsemanship skills, and establish a special bond with their horses.

We serve children and adults (ages 3 and up) with a wide range of special needs, such as autism, cerebral palsy, developmental delays, sensory integration disorder, Down Syndrome, traumatic brain injuries, paraplegia, learning disabilities, multiple sclerosis, stroke, mental health issues and behavior challenges. Physicians, therapists, counselors, teachers, family members and friends refer participants to RFA. Participants may come to RFA as individuals or as part of a school, recreation, therapy or other group. No clinical diagnosis is necessary to participate; however, participants must have a need for our specialized, therapeutic environment.

I Saw a Child

I saw a child who couldn't walk,
sit on a horse, laugh and talk.
Then ride it through a field of daisies
and yet he could not walk unaided.
I saw a child, no legs below,
sit on a horse, and make it go
through woods of green
and places he had never been
to sit and stare
except from chair.

I saw a child who could only crawl,
mount a horse and sit up tall.
Put it through degrees of paces
and laugh at the wonder in our faces.
I saw a child born into strife,
take up and hold the reins of life
and that same child was heard to say,
Thank God for showing me the way.

-- John Anthony Davies