Marc Burkhart's Special Riders
Special Riders provides individuals with severe physical disabilities the opportunity to ride horses. Volunteers and staff work in teams of three to facilitate a safe horseback riding experience for participants.
Formal horseback riding programs for the disabled have been organized since 1953 in England and since 1969 in the United States with the establishment of the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association, Inc.
Riding is an excellent form of therapeutic recreation. Riding helps to develop self-awareness, self-confidence and self-discipline. It also strengthens and relaxes muscles, improves posture, balance and coordination, while increasing joint mobility.
There are no upcoming session dates.
Disabilities Accepted for Riding
(required Physician signature):
Orthopedic Conditions:
- Scoliosis
- Amputees (various types
- Arthritis (Osteo & Rheumatoid)
Neurological Conditions:
- Polio Myeslitis (varying involvement)
- Spina Bifida
- Multiple Scierosis
- Cerebral Palsy (various types)
- Traumatic Paraplegia (spinal cord injuries)
- Cerebral Vascular Accidents (Strokes)
- Spinal Meningitis
- Traumatic Brain Injury
Other Classifications:
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Autism
- Blindness
- Hearing & Speech Impairments
- Developmental Disabilities
- Epilepsy
Program Information
Physically Disabled persons age five and over, whom are Muskingum County Residents.
Located at the Muskingum County Fairgrounds.
Program Fee: Free (Courtesy of a generous donor of the Carr Center.)
Limit 4 riders per session (First come first serve basis.)
Will add more riders in a session pending on horse availability.
The Carr Center is the coordinator of the local horseback riding program. Persons who participate need to obtain a medical referral from their physician indicating diagnosis, medications, precautions and associated disorders. Persons with dislocated hips or paralysis above the level of T-5 of the spinal cords are not recommended to ride horses for safety reasons.
Session times available:
- 6:00 - 6:40p.m.
- 6:40 - 7:20p.m.
- 7:20 - 8:00p.m.
