Therapeutic Riding

Imagine viewing the changing seasons from the back of a gently swaying, friendly horse.

The Achievement Centers for Children’s therapeutic riding program helps children gain confidence, build strength, improve balance and form wonderful friendships.

Located at Camp Cheerful’s Riding Center in the Cleveland Metroparks Mill Stream Run Reservation in Strongsville, the program offers five year-round sessions.

Children and adults, ages 4 and older with special needs, enjoy this riding program tailored to their physical, mental and emotional strengths and capabilities. Lessons teach basic horseback riding and horse handling skills. Physical exercises and educational activities are woven into the riding lesson making it therapeutic for the riders.

Our therapeutic riding program serves individual groups and local schools in the Cleveland area. Therapeutic riding provides recreational lessons for campers during the summer months.

Camp Cheerful's therapeutic riding program is certified by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) as a Premier Accredited Center Program, one of only eleven such accredited facilities in Ohio. Premier Accredited Centers have demonstrated their excellence in providing quality, professional equine-assisted activites while meeting established industry standards. In addition, NARHA certifies and registers all of Camp Cheerful's therapeutic riding instructors. Highly trained staff, volunteers and gentle horses complete the Camp Cheerful riding team.

Benefits of Therapeutic Horseback Riding for Children with Disabilities

• Balance, posture, strength
• Flexibility
• Teamwork, cooperation
• Self-confidence, self-esteem
• Emotional control, self-discipline
• Sense of normality
• Hand-eye coordination
• Visual/spatial perception
• Remedial math and reading skills
• Advanced equestrian skills

2011 Therapeutic Riding Dates:

Therapeutic Riding Horse Donations

The Achievement Centers' Camp Cheerful maintains an average of nine horses and accepts new donations on an as-needed basis. If you have a prospective donation, please call Cory Ramsey at 440-238-6200 ext. 225. If we feel your horse is a candidate, we will schedule a visit to your home or stable to evaluate your borse both medically and under saddle. We can also answer any questions you might have about our horse donation procedures. All of our horses undergo a standard 30-day trial period.

Horse donations are tax-deductible.

For more information about our Therapeutic Riding program, please contact Jennifer Stankiewicz, Manager of Equine Programs at (440) 238-6200 ext 244 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .