Volunteer
Horseback riding has really strengthened and toned my rider muscles, however, the benefits of working with horses are beyond this. Equine interaction has also helped me build confidence, self-esteem, assertiveness, and emotional balance. Being part of Rising Stars of Equestrian Therapy to help provide therapeutic and recreational horseback riding lessons to physically and mentally challenged children and adults has been very rewarding. And this experience has really helped me understand the profound power of horses.
How
Our horses are carefully vetter for the job that they do. They are very experienced and have the ability to handle riders of all abilities. Our amazing volunteers are here to help lead the horses, guide, and support the rider so they feel safe while experiencing the positive impact of horseback riding. Horseback riding is a multidisciplinary approach to neurodevelopment therapy and physical rehabilitation that produces specific benefits and provides overall conditioning of the rider.
History
Rising Stars was founded by Patricia Morris in Hawaii in 1971. In 1975, Patricia and her family moved to California. Since then, Rising Stars of Equestrian Therapy has provided therapeutic and recreational horseback riding lessons to physically and mentally challenged children and adults.
Pictured: Nala and Beatrice
Equine-assisted therapy (EAT) encompasses a range of treatments that involve activities with horses and other people equines to promote human physical and mental health.
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- Increased trust
- Reduced anxiety
- Less feeling of depression and isolation
- Increased self-esteem, self-acceptance, and social skills
- Better impulse control
- Increased problem-solving skills
- Improved communication skills, including non-verbal
- Better understanding of healthy boundaries and the importance of assertiveness
- Learn to get outside own negative, self-absorbed thoughts and nurture another creature
- Lowers blood pressure and heart rate
- Reduce problems with concentration, attention, and completing tasks without becoming distracted
- Helps in developing and improving the motor skills of individuals; both GMS (Gross Motor Skills) and FMS (Fine Motor Skills)
- Children with cerebral palsy, behavioral tics, motor control issues, and coordination problems
- People of any age with reduced mobility, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and emotional dysregulation
- People of any age with high blood pressure, anxiety, and depression
- People struggling with addiction or mental illness
