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Riding: Frequently Asked Questions


Who do we serve?

NVTRP offers service to a wide range of children/adults with special needs. We have helped people with disabilities such as:

  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Autism
  • Developmental Delay
  • ADD/ADHD
  • Vision, Speech, or Hearing Impairment
  • Learning Disabilities
  • Cognitive Disabilities
  • Emotional Disabilities
  • Traumatic Brain Injuries
  • Spina Bifida
  • Other

Children must be 4 years or older for therapeutic riding and 2 years or older for hippotherapy.

When are lessons given?

Lessons are offered seven days a week. Feel free to contact the NVTRP office to inquire about the specific times and days that each program is offered.


© Joan Brady Photography

What are the benefits?

When riding a horse, our students are given the opportunity to feel freedom and power through movement. As the horse walks, the movement is transferred to the rider, providing a combination of sensory, motor, and neurological stimulation. This translates to stronger muscles, better balance and coordination, improved gait and, just as important, greater self-confidence and self-esteem.

What qualifies this program to provide this service?

The Program is accredited by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) which inspects each Program location and sets stringent safety and educational standards. All of our instructors are NARHA certified.

Where do we operate?

We conduct lessons in Clifton, VA.


© Joan Brady Photography

How often does a student ride?

Most students ride in groups of 2-4 for 45 minutes, once a week. The 45 minute lesson includes mounting and dismounting, the riding session and sometimes grooming and tacking the horse. We conduct several riding sessions each year, beginning in March and ending in December.

What do students wear?

We require students to wear long pants, boots or shoes with a heel, and an ASTM-SEI approved safety helmet.

What happens to lessons in inclement weather?

Lessons continue as planned and we instruct students in the barn. Students learn to groom the horses, learn about the tack (bridles and saddles), and help with feeding the horses. We make every effort to hold all scheduled lessons. If NVTRP must cancel a lesson, we update our voicemail message 2 hours before the lesson time. Parents can call 703-764-0269 so they will know if the lesson has been cancelled due to extreme weather.