Since 1992 Sleepy Hollow therapy has been providing hippotherapy, therapeutic riding, riding for the disabled and para equestrian sport riding, for people with special needs.

Our mission is to provide excellence in treating and working with people with special needs, in both Therapeutic riding and an Occupational Therapy.  To provide training and education in the field of Therapeutic Riding and Hippotherapy.

Our goal is to assist and inspire our riders and patients to reach their dreams and capabilities.

Saddling up a horse is an enjoyable experience for many people, but for an individual with a disablility it can signify much morse - a road to recovery and freedom.Each year people with physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities are discovering the benefits of Therapeutic Horse back riding. Horses provide chanllenges as well as rewards.

Therapeutic riding is the use of the horse and equine orientated activities to achieve a variety of therapeutic goals.  The benefits of therapeutic horse  riding are as numerous as the types of disabilities and conditions served. Research shows that students who participate in therapeutic riding can experience physical, emotional, cognitive, social, educational and behaviourl rewards.

The differences between Therapeutic Riding and Hippotherapy is that Hippotherapy is a treatment stratergy used by therapists who specialise in Hippotherapy, the therapists treat with the help of a trained horse proffessional, Therapeutic Riding is conducted by a Therapeutic riding instructor who consults regularly with a therapist and the therapist does the assessment and determines aims and goals for that rider and a program is devised with the Therapeutic Riding Instructor. In Hippotherapy the horse influences the patient, and the patient does not usually influence the horse in any way, as the horse proffessional is controllinga dn moving horse.  In Therapeutic riding not only does the horse influence the rider, but the rider will at times influence the horse. The emphasis in Therapeutic riding is on working towards learning riding skills, through therapeutic activities on horse back, focusing on areas of challenge and specific therapy goals.

The sense of independance found on horse back benefits all who ride. The therapeutic qualities of horse riding are recognized by many medical proffessionals. Individuals of all ages, disabilities and many conditions utilize therapeutic riding and other equine activities, including Hippotherapy.

Therapeutic riding activities are conducted by Riding for the Disabled Instructors under the in conjunction and over seen by Therapists specialising in Hippotherapy. Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapists or Speach Therapists who have under gone specialised training in Hippotherapy, can specialise in Hippotherapy. In South Africa Hippotherapy courses are run and organised by EATASA (Equine Assisted Therapy Association of South Africa). 

Sleepy Hollow Therapy is affiliated to both SARDA (South African Riding for the Disabled Association) and EATASA (Equine Assisted Therapy Association of South Africa).

Our unique team have qualifications in B Sc Occupational therapy specialising in Hippotherapy, SARDA (South African Riding for the Disabled Association) Senior and Branch Instructors, and SANEF Instructor.Contact Lisa for more information