North American Riding for the Handicapped Association “NARHA”.
Thorncroft is an honored to have earned the designation of “Premier Center”.
Thorncroft’s staff of instructors includes 5 Registered and 1 Advanced instructor.
As quoted from The NARHA web site:
Mission: NARHA changes and enriches lives by promoting excellence in equine assisted activities.
Since 1969, the NARHA has provided Equine Assisted Activity and Therapy (EAAT) programs in the United States and Canada through its network of nearly 800 member centers. Each year, dozens of new centers initiate new programs and more than 42,000 individuals with special needs benefit from activities which include therapeutic riding, hippotherapy, equine facilitated psychotherapy and learning, driving, interactive vaulting and competition.
Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, NARHA’s mission is to “change and enrich lives by promoting excellence in equine assisted activities.” To accomplish this mission, NARHA fosters safe, professional, ethical and therapeutic equine activities through education, communication, research and standards. The association ensures its standards are met through an accreditation process for centers and a certification process for instructors.
A section of NARHA, the Equine Facilitated Mental Health Association (EFMHA), founded in 1996, provides equine-facilitated psychotherapy (EFP) for people with psychological issues and mental health needs, including anxiety, depression, and autism. EFP is facilitated by a licensed, credentialed mental health professional that works with an appropriately credentialed equine professional, or is dually credentialed as an equine professional.
Centered Riding
Thorncroft is a Supporting Member of “Centered Riding”.
Our staff includes 1 Level 1 and 1 Level III Instructors.
As quoted from the Centered Riding web site:
Centered Riding is an innovative way of expressing the classical principles of riding, using body awareness, centering, and imagery. Centered Riding encompasses all seats and styles of riding. It teaches a language that allows clearer communication between horse, rider, and instructor. Centered Riding was developed by Sally Swift, author of the best-selling book and videotapes, and is now taught by Centered Riding Instructors around the world.
Centered Riding is based on a knowledge of human and horse anatomy, balance, movement, and on understanding how the mind affects the body and how both affect the horse. It uses centering and grounding techniques from the oriental martial arts, along with body awareness, mental imagery and sports psychology. Through increasing body awareness, inhibiting old patterns, and replacing them with a more balanced, free, and coordinated use of self, both horse and rider can move more freely and comfortably, and develop their best performance.
The Four Basics of Centered Riding
These fundamentals, along with clear intent for effective control, direction and use of aids, and grounding for stability and balance, promote freedom of movement, confidence and harmony between horse and rider, and can help in solving many problems
Pennsylvania Council on Therapeutic Horsemanship
Thorncroft is a “Lifetime Member” of the “PA Council
As quoted from the PA Council web site:
The Pennsylvania Council on Therapeutic Horsemanship (PACTH) is a coordinating council serving therapeutic horsemanship programs and the participants, instructors, volunteers and administrators who are involved in these programs. Founded in 1984 by Penn State University, Pennsylvania State 4-H and the Pennsylvania Easter Seal Society, the PACTH has a long history of support to the profession of therapeutic horsemanship
Riding for the Disabled
Thorncroft is a Life Member of “RDA”
As quoted from the RDA web site:
Since 1970 RDA has been delivering opportunities for therapy, achievement and enjoyment to people with disabilities. Founded as a National organization in 1969, RDA now has 500 Member Groups across the UK – together, these Groups help 23,000 people to take part in riding, carriage driving and vaulting activities.
Although RDA was set up to work mainly with people with physical disabilities, RDA Groups now work across the spectrum of disabilities, age range, social status and urban and rural environments. The focus of our work is to ensure that each individual has the chance to derive a direct therapeutic benefit and the opportunity to achieve their personal goal (whether that be learning a very simple skill or winning a major competition).
RDA gives individuals the opportunity to:
Our Mission is to help build the physical, emotional and mental well-being of all people, particularly those with special needs, through establishing an atmosphere of cooperation, respect and love in an equestrian environment. We are committed to a mainstreaming approach for teaching horseback riding and to promoting the development of new and independent therapeutic riding programs.
Thorncroft offers instruction in Balanced Seat Equitation, Driving, Combined Training and Trail. We offer one-hour group lessons of up to six students with comparable skill levels. Private, half-hour lessons are also available. Depending upon the ability of the rider, lessons are held on the flat or over fences and might be in the indoor arena, outdoor enclosed ring, our cross country course or through the neighboring countryside. We specialize in therapeutic horseback riding for mentally, emotionally and physically disabled children and adults, including training for those interested in learning this profession. We offer our land, our equipment, our horses and our ideals. But most importantly, we offer ourselves and our love. Healing abounds here...come see for yourself, the joy of a student as he "walks" down the narrow country trail with his horse. The horse can take him places that his wheelchair cannot go!
THE HORSE IS THE THERAPY
Since 1971, the movement of the horse has been studied at Thorncroft. Scientific studies of hippotherapy, biomechanics, and equine physiology have been hosted at the farm. Through these studies, and with first hand experience we have learned that the movement of the horse teaches the human body the correct motion of walking. Students who have never learned to walk correctly and those who come to us after a traumatic accident benefit from this therapy. This extraordinary experience provides balance, strength, mobility, and improved self esteem. The benefits are limitless.
THE ENVIRONMENT
Thorncroft is a mainstreaming facility where handicapped and non-handicapped people come together to ride together, learn together and relate to one another; and within an accepting environment, foster growth in each other. This growth is our aim; it is the beginning of healing. Our peaceful, rural environment offers the necessary tools to help fulfill this special goal. This environment also fosters the ability to learn necessary job skills leading to productive lives and secure permanent employment. Our vocational training program has been very successful!
VOLUNTEERS - OUR LIFE BLOOD
Our success depends upon the enthusiasm and dedication of our volunteers! Over 150 men, women and teenagers assist our staff in a variety of ways. They help us as side aides and leaders in the ring; they aid in the grooming and tacking up of the horses; they work in both the stable management and horticultural programs; and they assist with office duties. All receive in-service training to better respond to the special needs of our riders. Join us, even if you only have as little as an hour a week!
TAX DEDUCTIBLE GIFTS SUSTAIN OUR EFFORT
Equipping, staffing and maintaining Thorncroft's 70-acre facility presents an ongoing financial challenge. Currently, 25% of our disabled students receive subsidized instruction through our scholarship program. Thorncroft also welcomes contributions of sound horses, tack, riding apparel and office equipment, as well as thd gift of time and financial contributions. All donations are deductible in accordance with current laws.
DESIGNATE THORNCROFT FOR YOUR GIFT THROUGH THE UNITED WAY
Please don’t forget an easy way to give is thru the United Way. You may designate your donation to Thorncroft by using our “Specific Code” - 01160, or… mention Thorncroft Therapeutic Horseback riding Inc.
190 Line Road
Malvern, PA 19355
610.644.1963
610.644.9342 (fax)
info@thorncroft.org
Home of
Thorncroft Therapeutic Horseback Riding Inc.
and
The Thorncroft Mainstreamers
Thorncroft welcomes all visitors. Our farm is open, and here to share. Friends of all ages come to enjoy the idyllic atmosphere, the warm sun on your face and the animals in a farm setting. Children run through our meadows, walk through our streams, and perhaps for the first time... touch a horse. Come and visit us!
You can become a supporter of
Thorncroft Equestrian Center
with the click of a button!
Use a credit card or your PayPal account.
If you know of a sound, kind horse or pony that you think would work well for Thorncroft please give a call. All donations are tax deductible and you can be assured that your special gift will be well taken care of and loved by many.
