Last fall I had a blast photographing the end of the season horse riding show at a hidden jewel in Aliquippa, the Hilltop Horizons Therapeutic Equestrian Center. 

The enrolled riders happily showed off what they’ve learned and achieved during their adaptive riding and/or occupational therapy lesson. Their proud instructors were by their side every minute of the ride, cheering the successes and guiding through the difficult bits of the program. 

You can read about all the scientific benefits of the interaction with the horses, how it improves balance, posture, and coordination, helps passively stretch tight muscles, engages motor planning activities, stimulates the vestibular, nervous, and circulatory systems.

Or you can just look at the Chet’s happy face!   

Why else is horse riding good for you? 

Horse lovers are usually very kind and caring people and just being in the horse stables improves their mood and makes the stress go away.

Did I mention that horses are very pleasant to the touch and just petting a horse and feeding it an apple gives you a day’s worth of joy?  

You need proof? Look at Ryan’s happy face!

Many equestrians call horses their best friends. Horses are very social animals and are able to understand your feelings and to communicate their emotions on par with the dogs. Just pure positivity, no hidden agenda. Can you see the how Taya’s enjoying herself?

Horses are full of surprises and never fail to challenge us. There are always risky situations whether you're an experienced rider or a newbie. Jada and her horse were on the same emotional wave, and look how well they both did in the arena!