The Shane Center for Therapeutic Horsemanship

Located at Willow Farm in Centerburg, Ohio, and situated on 40 beautiful acres in scenic Knox County,The Shane Center for Therapeutic Horsemanship, Inc. is a non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities through innovative equestrian activities. Founded in 1993 by Karen and Joel Sanchez as Equine Assisted Therapy and renamed The Shane Center for Therapeutic Horsemanship in 2014, it is the oldest therapeutic riding program in Central Ohio and has a reputation for providing safe, quality, family-oriented services that is second to none. We are a proud Premier Accredited Center of Path, International (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship), who has been a global authority, resource, and advocate for equine assisted activities and therapies since 1969. Therapeutic riding provides benefits in the areas of therapy, education, sport, and recreation. The active participation required by riding a horse allows people to extend their dreams beyond the confines of their disability. Some of the benefits of riding a horse can include improved self-esteem and confidence, increased muscle strength and balance, better trunk control and posture, improved hand-eye coordination, enhanced communication and social skills, improved focus and concentration, as well as fun, friendship and learning responsibility. When you ride a horse, the horse moves your pelvis in the same up and down, side to side, and back and forth motion that happens when a person walks. So for those who are unable to walk or who have an altered gait, riding helps to strengthen core abdominal and trunk muscles. In addition, the balance required to sit upon a horse in motion helps those with proprioceptive and coordination goals. There is also something about the rhythm and gait of the horse that stimulates the human brain which can improve speech. Some of our clients have enjoyed improvements in their coordination, strength, and balance in addition to their gait and ability to swallow. Some have learned to read, recognize letters and numbers, as well as have had increases in their basic math skills and problem solving strategies. Many of our students have learned how to make friends, deal with frustrations, follow multi-step directions, and make choices while increasing their verbal as well as non-verbal communication skills. Some of our riders have gone on to higher pursuits of horsemanship and have participated in horse shows, clinics, trail rides and horse ownership! The best part of all is that it is REALLY FUN!

7908 Myers Road, Centerburg, OH 43011