By Liz Witbeck
Horses have a long history in the local
economy, but for a few children who attend
Nipper Knolls Therapeutic Riding Program,
this is not just about learning to ride. it is
about getting healthy, and building physical
skills and self-esteem.
Nipper Knolls Therapeutic Riding Program
helps children with a variety of special
needs strive toward goals by offering
therapeutic horse riding lessons. Many of
the children in the program are on the autism
spectrum. Other children have anxiety,
ADHD, or physical disabilities.
Cathy Lamando operates the program and
serves as the instructor. She has worked as
a physical therapist her entire life, and saw
this as a way to blend physical therapy with
her love of horses. She is a PATH certified
therapeutic riding instructor, and maintains
membership with PATH International
and the American Hippotherapy Association
with Level 2 therapist completion.
“They are learning self-esteem, socialization,
strength, core balance. it’s a great
balance of social skills and physical skills”
said Lamando of her clients.
There are two programs offered at Nipper
Knolls: therapeutic riding and hippotherapy.
Therapeutic riding is a social model that
uses horse riding for the purposes of achieving
cognitive, physical, emotional and social
well-being in children with special needs.
During a lesson, students will learn to brush
a horse, safety rules, tacking, leading, riding
and more.
Hippotherapy is a physical, occupational
or speech therapy that utilizes horses to
mimic the natural movements of the human
body. it is used as part of an integrated
treatment program to achieve a desired goal
for children.
Classes are small, with only two students
in each therapeutic riding lesson, she said.
Hippotherapy classes are one-on-one. Lamando
oversees the classes, and there are
side walkers to accompany each child on
the horse. The program is always looking
for volunteers.
While some children might experience
hesitation at other activities, several children
have found their calling at Nipper
Knolls, according to Lamando.
“One parent said their son couldn’t play
soccer or basketball because it’s too much
activity” she said. “But with the horses, he
comes here and he’s turning into an independent
little rider. For him this is his sport.”
Nipper Knolls operates out of North Country
Horses Riding Program in Gansevoort.
Previously Nipper Knolls also had programs
out of Burchland Country Experience in
Hartford, Washington County, but the owners
are selling the property.
There are five horses used in the program.
They are specially trained to be used in the
therapeutic riding program. Horses learn to
be around physical therapy items like rings
and balls, to not fear noises, and to be calm
around the touch of children. North country
Horses donates some horses for the program.
Others are leased.
Nipper Knolls riding lessons are private
pay. Therapeutic riding lessons are one hour
long and $40 per lesson. Hippotherapy lessons
are 30 minutes long and $50 per lesson.
Some people might be able to have their
insurance provider reimburse them for the
hippotherapy lessons.
Lamando said there is a special bond between
the child and the horse. From learning
to ride, to the basics of grooming a horse
and cleaning a stall, nipper knolls provides
children with confi dence, gross and fine motor
skills, social activity, and fun.
For more information, visit the website
nipperknolls.com.
Photo Courtesy Nipper Knolls