Riding Lessons (mrstjohnson) - Updated with Pics ;-)

 I don't know too much about this really, other than that I went a few times with a client who went to riding lessons. She wasn't at a specific special needs place, but rather a regular barn that had some instructors with special needs experience. That might be something to look for if you can find it.

Ditto.  My youngest is the worst klutz on the planet, (except for his mother) but when he gets on a horse all the body parts work.

There are wonderful, and less costly SN riding centers that you might be able to contact through the schools.

This is a FANTASTIC idea!

 Back when I took English riding lessons, many many moons ago , an hour private lesson was $50.  It was a weekly class.  You can probably expect to pay between $45-$75 per hour for private lessons - I would imagine. Some stables might offer a discount if you prepay for x number of classes.  I'm not sure if a group riding class would be appropriate for her, but they are generally cheaper.

I would meet the instructors and also look at their horses they provide.  Honestly, the personality of the instructor, their level of knowledge and comfort teaching someone who might need a different approach is really key.  The overall look of the horses and stable can be a great indicator of how their animals are treated.  

Julie - I completely forgot that Ann rode.  I sent her off an email.  Thanks!

I will also check with her teacher.  I never even thought about that.

 I searched something like special needs riding MI, and got results for a bunch of places. I wasn't specifically suggesting that it be therapeutic riding, just perhaps someone with some experience. Around here, that tends to be very high priced, though they often get sponsors, and long waiting lists. The kid I worked with was at a regular place. At the time they had no specific special needs program, now they appear to. However, they had an instructor who had special needs experience.  She was sort of the guinea pig for that. They taught her regular riding lessons like any other kid would get, they just broke things down for her more, demonstrated and modeled rather than telling her how to do things. They also let us take pictures of stuff for her so that we could help her review things like what to do around the horses when she was at home.

So, you might speak to them as to whether you want regular riding lessons like anyone else would have, with some possible adaptations for Riley, or actual therapeutic riding (with the possibility of regular lessons later on maybe). 

I think it's a fabulous idea!! I wish I'd had riding lessons when I was younger and still consider taking them even now. I went riding when I could but really didn't know what I was doing and wish I had. I know it can be pricey but it's probably not something you'd do more than once or twice a week. There are a few places very near where I live that offer lessons for children and they run specials and offer pkg deals all the time.

Riding lessons are a great idea! I rode English for years and Western for a bit, too, but it's been years since I've been on a horse. I ditto the recommendaton to go to the barns, spend some time just watching how the instructor/staff interact with the riders, parents and the horses. Look at the condition of the stalls, etc. Are any of the other children taking lessons? Their parents might have good recommendations, too. The "horse" folks here can provide good help, too. I would go with once a week, if you can. Yeah, Riley--riding lessons!

mrstjohnson

I am thinking about having Riley take riding lessons.  I am thinking about it for the following reasons:

1.  Less stress pressure on her knees than other sports

I was horse crazy as a kid - couldn't wait to crawl on a horse any chance I got. But when I was diagnosed with RA as a teenager, the pressure of riding on my knees became very painful (my knees were the first place it showed up though). It went into remission (per the doctor), but I still find my knees don't do well with riding. I haven't ridden in decades and I so miss it. Personally, I don't know that I would say that it is less stress on the knees....

stardancnminpin

Personally, I don't know that I would say that it is less stress on the knees....

Yeah, I totally lost that part in all my excitement. I think it might be very hard on the knees but Riley's doctor should be able to tell you if it's a good or bad idea. I hope it'll work out that she can do it.

I was wondering if that was going to be an issue...

I did ask before if there was anything she couldn't do and they said no.  I think they are hesitant to provide restrictions since alot of RA kids are overweight do to a lack of movement plus the steriods.  Riley on the other hand hasn't had to take steroids yet and is only 10% of her weight so movement isn't our problem.  I will definitely ask to see if there is an issue. 

 I was very lucky that they kept me in the children's area of the hospital even though I was an upper age teenager. They could have easily have handed me off to an adult department and I don't think the treatment would have been as aggressive. I'm still very thankful to Dr. S for all he did for me. I was hobbling around and on/off crutches so much before they finally figured out what was going on. He wanted me to swim - no pressure on the joints and good exercise for my legs without overdoing. We didn't have access to a pool - at least not easy access, but when I did get to, it was so nice. Is swimming an option for Riley?

They SAY that swimming is no pressure on the joints, but my docs don't want me swimming with the lousey shoulders.

Riding *might* put pressure on the knee, but if she learns to ride properly she'll be gripping with her whole leg and not just the knee.  It's certainly worth trying.     

My experience with SN stables is two part.  When DS was young, I hooked up through his teacher and there was absolutely no cost for the SN riding.  I also volunteered at a stable in CA as a rider.  They liked to have all the horses given a good morning run so they wouldn't be feeling their oats when youngsters were aboard.  Even the most placid and well trained animal needs a good run every day!  At that facility it was 0-$5, depending on the parents ability to pay.  That's about 10 years ago, so adjust accordingly.....