NARHA

North American Riding for the Handicapped Association

NARHA is a membership organization which fosters safe, professional, ethical and therapeutic equine activities through education, communication, standards and research for people with and without disabilities.

Mission Statement: NARHA changes and enriches lives by promoting excellence in equine assisted activities.

Services Offered

The North American Riding for the Handicapped Association was formed in 1969 to promote equine assisted activities for individuals with disabilities.  With over 700 member centers, a total of more than 38,600 children & adults find a sense of independence through involvement with horses.  These member centers range from small, one-person programs to large operations with several instructors and therapists.  In addition to horseback riding, a center may offer any number of equine assisted activities such as driving, vaulting, trail riding, competition, ground work, or stable management.  Through a wide variety of education resources, the association helps individuals start and maintain successful programs.  There are more than 29,000 volunteers, 1,900 instructors, 5,800 therapy horses and thousands of contributors from all over the world making a difference in people’s lives at NARHA centers.

Through a wide variety of educational resources, NARHA helps individuals start and maintain successful therapeutic riding programs. NARHA's standards for riding centers provide a basis for maintaining a safe therapeutic riding environment. NARHA also provides guidelines for selecting riders who are suitable and appropriate for therapeutic riding activities. Other educational resources include regional workshops, an annual conference and regional/state networks. NARHA is the accrediting organization for Easter Seals' camps with equine activities. Other organizations participating in NARHA riding programs include the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Multiple Sclerosis Society, Special Olympics, Spina Bifida Association and United Cerebral Palsy.