Happy Trails Riding Center West Linn, Oregon

Welcome to Happy Trails Riding Center in West Linn, Oregon, a NARHA accredited therapeutic riding center.  Driving through the gates down the tree lined driveway you're immediately struck by the peacefulness that envelopes you.  You're in the middle of the city yet all you hear are the leaves rustling in the trees, birds chirping and the nickering of horses in the pasture.  We strive to maintain that same peaceful feeling through out each of our riding lessons with the help of very special horses, a team of well trained and caring volunteers and NARHA certified riding instructors.  Before a rider even sits on the horse for their first lesson, we have determined exactly that rider's level of disabilities and more importantly, their ABILITIES.  We then choose the appropriate horse and volunteer team for the rider and devise a specific riding plan for them.

NARHA, North American Riding for the Handicapped Association, is a membership organization that fosters safe, professional, ethical and therapeutic equine activities through education, communication, standards and research for people with and without disabilities.  Our instructors are volunteers who have completed the stringent certification program through NARHA.  In addition they are Red Cross and CPR certified and participate in NARHA approved continuing education seminars in order to maintain their credentials.

OUR MISSION: 

Our Mission at Happy Trails Riding Center, a 501(c) 3 non-profit, is to enhance the physical, psychological and social well-being of children and adults with disabilities and special needs through horsemanship and the interaction with a special team consisting of a horse, A NARHA certified instructor and volunteers.

WHAT WE OFFER:

Every year we experience more riders facing the challenges and reaping the rewards of Happy Trails Riding Center's services.  We serve children and adults of all ages with a wide range of special needs who have been diagnosed with a physical, cognitive or emotional disability.  Participants may come to Happy Trails Riding Center as individuals or as a 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 and therapeutic environment.

WHY THERAPEUTIC HORSEBACK RIDING?

Riders, 8 to 80 years old, come to Happy Trails with varied backgrounds and abilities.  Whether they have physical, cognitive, sensory or emotional disabilities, they all benefit from riding or working with the horses at our center. For children and adults with disabilities, the equestrian experience is life changing.  No other therapeutic recreational opportunity benefits so many aspects of a disability in such a complete mind, body and spirit connection.

The three-dimensional movement of the horse's back while walking mirrors the human walking gait, providing a repetitive pattern of movement.  As the horse's center of gravity shifts forward and backward, up and down, side to side, students will experience the physical benefits of the strengthening of the pelvic and spine muscles, improved posture, coordination, joint mobility and cardiovascular exercise.  In addition to the physical benefits, imagine the emotional leaps in self confidence and independence a rider who uses a wheelchair feels when riding a horse.  Before your eyes you'll witness the intense relationship a rider develops with his or her horse, instructor, volunteers and fellow students.  Our riders may not be able to control their bodies or put a voice to their thoughts, but riding atop their 1,000 pound equine partner, they eagerly ride into a stronger sense of self confidence and independence.

             VOLUNTEERS ARE ALWAYS NEEDED - WE WILL TRAIN. 

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