Equine Assisted Activities

Equine-assisted activities* (EAA)

At Parkwood Farms, Equine-Assisted Activities (EAA) is the umbrella term for all therapeutic programs that partner people with horses. This includes both mounted and unmounted activities — from Therapeutic Riding to specialized,  innovative Connections program.

Connections is a unique EAA offering in which the horse serves as both a biofeedback mechanism and a co-regulatory partner. In this program, participants benefit from being in the calming presence of the horse while practicing grounding techniques, synchronized breathing, body scanning, boundary setting, and nervous system resets. Because horses can mirror human emotions in real time, they provide immediate, non-judgmental feedback, helping individuals deepen self-awareness and regulation skills. This approach has been especially powerful for individuals who may mask their emotions with people, but cannot mask them from a horse. The horse’s unique ability to “read” the person beside them creates an authentic connection and fosters breakthroughs that traditional methods may not uncover.

For mounted activities like Therapeutic Riding, sessions begin by matching each rider with a carefully selected horse. The session leader assists the rider onto the horse at the mounting platform, supported by a horse leader and one or more side-walkers to ensure safety and comfort. Once mounted, riders engage their whole body — steering, balancing, and communicating — while the horse’s rhythmic, three-dimensional gait mimics the motion of human walking. This unique movement stimulates the brain and body, improving muscle tone, posture, coordination, flexibility, and motor planning.

The benefits of EAA reach far beyond the arena. Participants often experience improved focus, problem-solving, self-esteem, independence, and social skills. For individuals with conditions such as autism, cerebral palsy, developmental delays, Down syndrome, traumatic injuries, and emotional or behavioral challenges, these activities offer both physical and emotional breakthroughs.

Our priority is always safety. All mounted riders wear regulation helmets and are supervised at all times by trained staff and volunteers. We welcome participants to our EAA programs starting at age 2 and there is no limit on the other end.

*Note: Hippotherapy is a medically prescribed treatment performed by licensed occupational, physical, or speech-language therapists using the movement of the horse as part of a clinical plan of care.