Adaptive Riding in Utah
Trusted Adaptive Riding for Children in Utah
For children facing physical, emotional, or developmental challenges, traditional recreational activities can feel out of reach. Adaptive riding brings one of those activities, horseback riding, right within their wheelhouse.
At Strides Pediatric Therapy, we offer adaptive riding in Utah as a recreational activity that supports coordination, strength, confidence, communication, and social growth. It’s not about replacing conventional therapy, it’s about providing kids with an activity that carries countless benefits that provides them space to practice the skills they develop in therapy. With the guidance of trained professionals and the support of a specially trained four-legged team member, children build confidence, coordination, and emotional expression through meaningful activity.
What Makes Adaptive Riding Different?
Unlike regular horseback riding, adaptive riding is designed with your child in mind. Each session is led by professionals who understand child development, safety, and how to support children with a wide range of needs. Every activity is intentional, whether it’s improving balance, building core strength, supporting sensory needs, or helping a child follow directions and express themselves.
This isn’t just riding for fun, although enjoyment is part of the process. Adaptive riding gives children a unique way to build real-life skills through movement and connection. It helps them grow in confidence, develop resilience, and take on new challenges in a setting that feels calm, supportive, and natural.
Benefits of Adaptive Riding for Children
Children experience the world through their senses, movement, and relationships. Our adaptive riding program for children help them grow in three areas:
Physical Growth
When a child rides, their muscles, balance systems, and posture are challenged in ways that feel more like adventure than exercise.
Adaptive riding helps support:
- Core strength
- Balance
- Coordination
- Motor planning
- Muscle tone
Children who may resist traditional exercises often respond positively to the gentle challenge and rhythm of riding a horse.
Emotional and Social Development
Horses are incredibly perceptive animals. They respond to emotion, body language, and tone, offering instant, nonjudgmental feedback. That connection, and the development of independent skills that children can be proud of, helps children develop:
- Emotional regulation
- Confidence
- Self-awareness
- Communication
- Focus and patience
Many children who struggle in school or other settings become more engaged when interacting with an animal.
Cognitive and Behavioral Support
Our adaptive riding activities are designed to strengthen:
- Attention span
- Following multi-step directions
- Problem-solving
- Impulse control
For children with anxiety, ADHD, sensory challenges, or behavioral disorders, the structured but calm environment of the arena can become a grounding experience.
Adaptive Riding at Strides Pediatric Therapy
- Riding on-site at our clinic, in a setting designed with children in mind
- Individualized sessions led by trained staff who understand how to support each child’s needs and goals
- Adaptive riding programs for kids with varying abilities, encouraging strength, balance, emotional regulation, and social growth
- Coordination with other therapies when appropriate, helping skills learned in all programs at Strides carry over into daily routines
No two children are the same, so their riding lesson plans shouldn’t be either. We shape each experience around your child’s unique strengths, interests, and goals. And for many kids, the bond they build with their horse becomes a powerful source of motivation. Adaptive riding brings joy, confidence, and progress that they can carry with them long after the ride ends.
