The mission of the University Therapeutic Riding Center is to offer a
collaborative, comprehensive therapeutic riding program which focuses on the
treatment needs of children with disabilities and the training of Texas Tech
University students.

The University Therapeutic Riding Center was established in 1998. It is a
unique partnership between the Department of Animal Science at Texas Tech
University and the Medical Center. The goal of this program is to serve children
with disabilities in the Lubbock and surrounding areas, and to further
advancements in the field of therapeutic riding. We offer undergraduate
students the opportunity to enroll in the Principles of Therapeutic Riding course,
in order to obtain the skills necessary to work in the field of therapeutic riding
and obtain the basis to apply for certification within the North American
Riding for the Handicapped Association (N.A.R.H.A.). We have also
established a graduate program in therapeutic riding for serious students to
learn the skills necessary to manage a therapeutic riding center.
We are one of the few universities in the United States to offer such a program.
Therapeutic riding augments the conventional therapy these children
receive in the clinical setting, resulting in markedly improved results in
markedly improved results in physical and speech parameters, as well
as increased motivation.

The Horse
by John Anthony Davies

I saw a child who could not walk,

sit on a horse, laugh and talk.

Then ride it through a field of daisies

And yet he could not walk unaided.

I saw a child, no legs below,

sit on a horse and make it go

through woods of green and places he had never been

to sit and stare, except for a chair.

I saw a child who could only crawl,

mount a horse and sit up tall;

then put it through a degree of paces

and laugh a the wonder in our faces.

I saw a child born into strife,

take up and hold the reins of life.

And that same child, was heard to say,

thank God for showing me the way.....

Please also visit the Texas Tech University
Ranch Horse Center!