Helping Horse
Therapeutic riding has many benefits for individuals with disabilities, including
- Physical benefits: Stretching muscles, increased joint range of motion, sensory integration and improved appetite and digestion
- Psychological benefits: Improved self-confidence, patience development, emotional control and sense of normalcy
- Social benefits: Friendship, enjoyment and increased experiences
- Educational benefits: Improved hand-eye coordination, visual spatial perception and remedial reading and math
This certified nonprofit is a fully-volunteer organization and is dependent on the charitable support of locally interested individuals and businesses, including the Junior League of Raleigh.
JLR Impact
JLR volunteers serve as horse leaders and side-walkers at weekly riding lessons during the traditional school year. League volunteers also plan special events for children involved in Helping Horse.
The program currently enrolls 40 disabled individuals and is exploring the option of adding a disabled veterans program.