Leg Up Therapeutic Riding Center
Leg Up Therapeutic Riding Center
is a Colorado 501(c)(3) non-profit enterprise formed to facilitate equine assisted activities and therapies that positively impact the lives of people at risk.
Our Mission:
To be a safe and inspiring place where all participants can discover healing, growth, responsibility, joy and adventure through the process of learning to partner with horses.
The process of partnering with a horse (prey animal) begins when a human (predator) understands and learns to respect their natural instinct, which is to flee from perceived danger but positively respond to trustable leadership. Effective interaction with a horse involves patience, challenge, empathy, mindfulness, guidance, forgiveness, confidence, self-control and consistency.
EQUINE ASSISTED THERAPIES and ACTIVITIES are increasingly used in residential treatment settings, as a component of guided therapeutic recreation, in gang-intervention programs, and in treatment for persons dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Working with animals in an outdoor setting facilitates growth and development for people who respond well in experiential activities. Participants in a therapeutic riding program discover that horses are dependent upon visual, kinesthetic communication (i.e. body language), from both humans and each other. The horses’ sensitive response is an immediate reflection of the behavior and attitudes of the humans with whom it is working, and this compelling interaction is the foundation of the therapeutic partnership.
The Equine Facilitated Learning Team consists of Leg Up’s Equine Specialists (experienced horse handlers with additional certified training through EFMHA) working in partnership with appropriate educational and therapeutic professionals. The team sets goals and designs various activities that partner with the horses to meet the established objectives. Working in small groups, which include dedicated volunteer assistants, the core of the program is "ground work" – grooming, mindfulness, physical coordination, handling, exercises in the round pen, games and various other challenges that involve teamwork and co-operation. This structure (not surprisingly!) produces a wealth of situations and opportunites for processing, analysis, and learning. The activities and exercises usually include horseback riding.
Leg Up TRC
is aligned with the Equine Facilitated Mental Health Association vision:
"A world in which the wisdom of equus moves us to develop and deepen our greatest potential."
Leg Up TRC is currently located at Academy Riding Stables, in westside Colorado Springs by the Garden of the Gods, at 4 El Paso Blvd. Academy Riding Stable is a long-time local boarding and riding facility and has been conducting year-round daily guided horseback rides through the Garden of the Gods park for the past 30 years.
www.academyridingstables.com/
Leg Up TRC leases a number of selected Academy horses and makes use of the stable’s arena and round pen, all set against the spectacular backdrop of the Rocky Mountains of the Pikes Peak region.
We think the horses look forward to their time with our staff and clients, as they get lots of special attention, grooming, and affection, and they get to participate in interesting and curious new activities. (We say it is "spa day" for them!)
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