Carriage Driving/Adaptive Driving

About

Adaptive carriage driving allows people with physical, cognitive, or emotional disabilities the opportunity to interact with a horse through carriage driving.

Through adaptive driving, people have the option of driving from the seat of the carriage, or their wheelchair in a specially adapted carriage. Outfitted with an electronic lift, the carriage allows those with limited mobility to participate without any additional transfers to and from their wheelchair.

Equipment

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Learn More

Adaptive carriage driving provides a recreational and sporting experience with a horse as well as a mental challenge similar to that of riding. Driving yields the challenge of working in harmony with a horse and learning an equine skill step by step. In addition, there are physical benefits from carriage driving, such as: increased core strength, improvements in balance, and fine and gross motor coordination. Carriage driving encourages the development of self-confidence and empowers individuals to make choices and demonstrate a relationship with the horse as various maneuvers are learned. It can improve the cognitive skills of sequencing, following directions and differentiating between left and right, etc.

Driving is another venue for socializing with other participants, the volunteers and instructors, and of course, the horse. It offers another opportunity for developing relationships, equine and human, of mutual respect and trust.

Carriage driving serves a variety of people with varying degrees of disabilities and challenges.

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Programs Near You

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