Three programs: Therapeutic Programming, Riding School, Horse Boarding. Other offerings: Facility rental, boarding, and riding school, all of which help underwrite therapy, and financial aid. 85% of CHP’s impact (number of individuals served) is through their Therapeutic Programming. Remaining programs operate as community recreational offerings for City of Atlanta residents.

Here is how Psychology Today defines it: “Equine-Assisted Therapy... is a treatment which uses horses to reach rehabilitative goals that are bounded by a medical professional’s scope of practice. Equine-Assisted Therapy is not an activity run by local horse clubs, church groups, or trainers. Instead, it is overseen by a medical professional, usually a licensed psychotherapist or physical therapist. Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy, which is used by addiction treatment facilities, veterans’ groups, and trauma centers, is always overseen by a licensed mental health professional. These types of therapies rarely involve riding the horse.”

No ☹️

A horse park devoted to one mission: empower individuals of all abilities through life changing relationships with horses. Premiere accredited center by Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) International. Therapeutic riding sessions have increased 46% over 2020, and 36% of its estimated five thousand annual therapeutic riding participant sessions are endowed through scholarship and grants. It is currently undergoing a $9 million expansion.

Diagnoses (subset) that Equine Therapy Can Help: Sensory Impairment ADD/ADHD Autism Spectrum Disorder Traumatic Brain Injury PTSD Cerebral Palsy Down Syndrome Depression Anxiety Speech/Developmental Delay Trauma Chromosomal Disorders

Experiencing the motion of a horse can be very therapeutic. Because horseback riding rhythmically moves the rider’s body in a manner like a human gait, riders with physical disabilities often show improvement in flexibility, balance, and muscle strength. In addition to the therapeutic benefits, riding a horse also provides recreational opportunities for individuals with disabilities to enjoy the outdoors. Therapeutic/adaptive horsemanship contributes to the cognitive, physical, emotional, and social well-being of individuals with disabilities. From a psychological perspective, the horse’s brain is primarily made up of the limbic system, a network of neurons governing emotionality. This gives horses a remarkable ability to read human feeling and intention—and respond to it. * They are herd and prey animals, not predators, which means that they have a strong emotional sense and use this sense as a survival tool; they feed off and respond to other horses in the herd. If one horse in a herd is scared, the others will become frightened. They respond similarly to humans. If a person approaches a horse with anger, the horse will respond by shying away or becoming stubborn. Horses never hide their emotions. Because of these qualities, horses can be used to help people heal from a variety of psychological and physical issues. Horses can be an emotional mirror for humans, helping them identify their feelings.

No, our clients are committed to ongoing programs.

55 horses: 30 owned by CHP for therapy programming and other activities, remainder boarders 15 acres: 3 barns, 3 arenas, 1 event facility Future state: 2 barns, one of which is a therapeutic horsemanship center, which includes clinical and educational spaces as well as offices for therapists, instructors, and staff 25 years as a non-profit. 83 years as a horse park, founded in 1939 1 of only 2 remaining urban horse parks (other is in Dallas, TX) 1,250 volunteer slots filled monthly 5,400 therapeutic sessions in 2021 3 staff therapists, 5 staff PATH Certified instructors 36% of participants are on scholarship. Insurance, including Medicaid and Medicare, generally does not support equine-assisted therapies. It still may not be covered by insurance benefits. Despite evidence, healthcare professionals often resist therapy that mentions “horse”

THERAPY SERVICES: CHP offers occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech-language pathology as prescribed by a doctor and conducted by specially trained and licensed therapists involves the purposeful manipulation of equine movement as a therapy tool to engage sensory, neuromotor and cognitive systems to promote functional outcomes. They are also launching a mental health pilot in September. EQUINE ASSISTED SERVICES: CHP offers Therapeutic Riding and Adaptive Horsemanship involving mounted and unmounted engagement focused on improving fine motor skills, gross motor skills, muscle tone, verbal skills, cognitive acuity, social skills, self-confidence, and so much more. These services are conducted by PATH certified therapeutic riding instructors.

Psychology Today, “Therapeutic Value of Horses” https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/helping-kids-cope/201903/equine-assisted-therapy-unique-and-effective-intervention NIH Insights, Data on Equine Assisted Therapies https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27767943/ Newest Research, 6.28.2022: “Self-Regulation Mediates Therapeutic Horseback Riding Social Functioning Outcomes in Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder” THE JOURNAL OF ALTERNATIVE AND COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE Volume 27, Number 1, 2021, pp. 88–95 Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. DOI: 10.1089/acm.2020.0415 https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/pdfplus/10.1089/acm.2020.0415 Eating Disorders and How Equine Assisted Therapy Can Help

4371 Powers Ferry Road, NW Atlanta, GA 30347. It is a 15-acre campus in City of Atlanta, within a larger city park, Chastain Park. One of two remaining urban horse parks in the U.S.

Each horse must meet CHP’s needs and pass a trial testing and training period before he/she is main-streamed into the program. Horses are selected based on specific needs of CHP’s students and the types of services we provide. No single type of horse can fill all the possible roles at CHP. The following are important factors in deciding if a horse is suitable for therapeutic riding: Size - In general, mounts averaging 14 to 15 hands in height are the most useful for the majority of riders. However, there are also times when a horse of 16 hands or more is needed to carry tall or heavy riders. Age - The age range of mounts may vary from five or six years to 20 or more. The most likely prospects are between eight and 16 years. CHP ideally is looking for horses in the 10-15 yo range. Health - We need to check the health of the horse. CHP does not have the time or money to spend nursing a sick or lame horse. A full health and soundness examination is usually requested. Soundness - This is a major consideration upon which the safety of the rider depends. We are very cautious in accepting a horse with any history of major lameness (navicular, ring bone, arthritis, etc.) A rider with a disability does not need a horse with a disability. Gaits and Manner of Going - A good mount for riders with disabilities is one that moves forward easily and freely, picking up its feet and responding readily to voice commands. In therapeutic terms, the horse's movement gives direct input to the rider's body. Currently, we do not accept “gaited” horses (i.e. Tennessee Walking Horses, Paso Fino’s, etc.) Attitude and Manners - The attitude and manners of a horse are the most important considerations. For the safety of riders, the horse must be gentle and indifferent toward objects moving nearby or touching him. The horse should also accept new experiences calmly and get along with other horses. He should be able to reside peacefully in a pasture or paddock. Once the preliminary selection is made, we request a trial period. Working with a horse during this period allows time to determine whether the horse will fit into our therapeutic program and CHP’s unique environment. The trial period is normally 30 days. When a horse is accepted for trial, a full written health record will be requested. The record should include current and past shots, deworming schedule, dental care and shoeing needs. Throughout the trial period, the prospective mount is closely watched for any habits that may cause problems in or out of work. The trial period also allows the horse time to understand his new surroundings and work while building a bond of trust and confidence with his new potential team.