Meet Alethea, Our Featured Equestrian of the Week!

Alethea started riding horses with the Richmond Therapeutic Equestrian Society when she was three years old. She enjoys it immensely and looks forward to riding every week. The experience of being on such a powerful animal has given her more confidence and has provided her the opportunity to interact closely with an animal. She loves pretending to be a horse in her role-play dramas and often asks us to give her the command to walk on or whoa, just like when she commands her horse to walk on or whoa. Riding horses has provided valuable learning and the practice of skills such as listening and following instructions, identifying her left and right, becoming more aware of her body and how it moves, and using her reins to move the horse. Alethea’s horseback riding experiences also serve! As an excellent topic of conversation as Alethea shares her stories with others. Alethea’s riding teacher, Sandra, and the volunteers have such a positive way of working with her and are helping Alethea become more independent. It is a joy to see her ride!!

~ Alethea's Parents