“Cerebral palsy has always made moving a challenge. I’ve never walked as far or as fast as everyone else. But once a week I get to have the blessed experience of feeling the wind in my hair and seeing the blurred objects as I trot by. I’ve been coming to Heartland since I was three and in the last 12 years I’ve had some of my greatest experiences at Heartland.” -Teenage Rider The Benefits of Therapeutic Riding Horseback riding has been proven as one of the few sports that fully utilizes the body’s entire muscle system and helps strengthen muscles, which frequently results in improved balance and coordination. Our classes are designed to assist the rider in developing essential cognitive, behavioral, psychological and physical skills needed to achieve successful, adaptive riding. Heartland accepts participants who exhibit physical or cognitive disabilities. Each individual is evaluated before being accepted into Heartland's programs. Our clients' disabilities include cerebral palsy, spina bifida, autism, developmental delay, Down Syndrome, mental retardation, deafness, blindness, emotional disorders, and many neuromuscular and orthopedic problems. Heartland does not discriminate as to sex, creed, color, or ability to pay.Clients must have written permission from their healthcare professional before being considered for any program. Final determination of eligibiity will be made by Heartland staff. E.I.T. Hippotherapy A physical, occupational, or speech-language therapist conducts early intervention using a horse (not a hippo) as a treatment modality. The horse provides 3-D movement—which stimulates many different systems at the same time—while the therapist applies their skills to address impairments in young children with a wide variety of diagnoses. Hippotherapy is a different kind of therapy as an addition or stand-alone treatment. • 30 minute session, one time per week • Two years to teens • Morning and early afternoon hours • Therapists certified by American Hippotherapy Association Heartland Therapeutic Riding, Inc. is a 501c3 organization. Donations are tax-exempt. Please consider helping Heartland through your Donor Choice option with the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign. 19655 Antioch   P.O. Box 391 Stilwell, KS 66085 913.897.3939 913.685.7433 Fax htr@swbell.net  Schedule Enrollment Forms Our fees cover only 25-30% of our actual cost. The balance is covered by grants and donations. We have a limited amount of other scholarship funds to help riders who cannot pay the full fee. The full fee for Therapeutic Riding lesson is $40.00 The full fee for Hippotherapy Riding lesson is $50.00 Fees