NARHA

North American Riding for the Handicapped Association

NARHA is a membership organization which fosters safe, professional, ethical and therapeutic equine activities through education, communication, standards and research for people with and without disabilities.

NARHA was founded in 1969 to promote and support therapeutic riding in the U.S. and Canada. At some 600 NARHA riding centers, more than 30,000 individuals with disabilities find a sense of independence through horseback riding. These centers range from small, one-person programs to large operations with several instructors and therapists. In addition to therapeutic riding, a center may offer any number of equine activities such as driving, vaulting, trail riding, competition or stable management. NARHA assists riding centers in several ways for the benefit of individuals with disabilities. NARHA provides program accreditation to ensure the highest safety standards at riding centers, instructor certification which brings knowledge of disabilities and that of horses together to best serve riders’ needs.

Through a wide variety of educational resources, NARHA helps individuals start and maintain successful therapeutic riding programs. NARHA’s standards for riding centers provide a basis for maintaining a safe therapeutic riding environment. NARHA also provides guidelines for selecting riders who are suitable and appropriate for therapeutic riding activities. Other educational resources include regional workshops, an annual conference and regional/state networks. NARHA is the accrediting organization for Easter Seals’ camps with equine activities. Other organizations participating in NARHA riding programs include the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Multiple Sclerosis Society, Special Olympics, Spina Bifida Association and United Cerebral Palsy.

Go to NARHA’s web site...