| dc.description.abstract | The purpose of the study was to determine how the Thunder Bay Therapeutic Riding
Association impacts the lives of the riders; to determine what aspects of the program are
most important to the riders; and to provide the participants a chance to give feedback
about the program. There were 129 questionnaires sent out to riders, parents/caregivers
and volunteers who had participated in the therapeutic riding program the previous year.
Questionnaires were completed and returned by 12 riders, 15 parents/caregivers, and 22
volunteers. The questionnaires were made up of close-ended and open-ended questions.
A focus group was also conducted to supplement the findings of the questionnaires.
There was one rider, one parent, and one volunteer participant in the focus group. The
study investigated four domains of life: physical well-being; social well-being;
development and activity; and emotional well-being. The results indicated that the
therapeutic riding program has a positive effect on all of these four domains. The
greatest effects of the program appear to be in the areas of emotional and social well-being.
This was seen in that the program provides a positive and uplifting experience;
provides social benefits to riders; and supplies a sense of accomplishment, independence
and empowerment. The two most important aspects of the program are the horses and
the volunteers. The program could be improved by having more consistency with the
volunteers and equipment; by having individual goals and a progression of skills for each
rider; and by giving more instruction and information to the volunteers. Overall, the
program is commended by many of the individuals involved and has been both enjoyable
and beneficial. Limitations to the study include that it involved a small number of
participants, that it involved a small number of rider participants, and that only people
involved in the program during the previous riding season were invited to participate. | |
