As part of my efforts to give back to causes dear to me, I've partnered with James S. Brady Therapeutic Riding. This organizing focuses on bringing an alternative physical and social therapy through horsemanship and riding lessons to youth with special needs in the San Francisco Bay area.

I know from experience that there is nothing greater than the healing power of a horse. Horses have the ability to see through the human condition and pierce through our hearts in meaningful, respectful, and loving ways bringing healing and a sense of pure joy and dignity.

I invite you to sign up now for art classes given in the months of August, September and October. Classes are held at the Brady stable at the San Francisco Zoo.

Make art, meet the horses, and help fund a new *Sensory Trail. 100% of proceeds go towards fundraising. 

Sign up today!

* SENSORY TRAIL:

A sensory trail is a trail ride that incorporates natural and man-made elements and activities that involves all the senses – such as hills, bridges, flowers, music or touch stations, and so on. 

Benefits of a Therapeutic Riding Sensory Trail

• Natural and man-made sensory experiences stimulate all the rider’s senses (see, hear, smell, touch, talk) and encourage engagement with the world
• Slopes, turns, and changes in footing challenge the rider’s balance and left/right discrimination
• Encourages use of riding skills: steering, maintaining position, half seat up an incline or stepping over logs, leaning back down a hill
• Trail signs and maps encourage visual skills, speech, spatial recognition, and language proficiency
• Sensory stations can assist in developing motor planning and appropriate responses to sensations that the client can transfer into their everyday life
• Some riders focus better outdoors and have more motivation to practice their riding skills in the context of a trail
• Natural experiences such as trees, flowers, hedges, footing, slopes and turns create a variety of colors, textures, scents, and balance feelings that challenge and stimulate the rider
• Activity stations further encourage integration of the senses, motor planning, problem solving, communication, etc.
• Can be created with a specific clientele in mind (usually those with Sensory Processing Disorder), but used for any rider
• Provides a peaceful walking trail for parents and caregivers who need a peaceful walk in nature for their own mental health.
• Improves the mental health of the horses who often are ridden only in the arena – it switches up their day and keeps them interested, and prevents burn out and bad habits.