SENSORY TRAILS
“A sensory riding trail is a rich learning environment of woodland paths that consist of slopes, turns, varied footing, natural sights and sounds, and man-made “activity stations.” This integrated environment challenges the students’ balance, stimulates their senses and encourages them to interact with the world around them.” (Source: http://www.pegasustr.org/trail) One of the activities in horse camp is riding in the sensory trail which contains obstacles ranging from easy to challenging. The big bridge is the highest challenge, but walking the plank is no picnic either. The suspension bridge can be a bit scary for both horse and rider. If the rider is not up to it, the regular bridge and a walk through the sand might be a better choice. The teeter totter bridge is fun to master. If the rider gets good, they can make the bridge go up and down by having the horse go back and forth.
The sensory trail is about learning how to steer, stop, and have fun on a horse. One of the fun activities both on the ground and on top of the horse is working with horses on the sensory trail or obstacle course. This challenges a rider’s steering skills to the max. To cross a bridge requires the rider to sit straight and look straight ahead to the other side of the bridge. The picture below features our little hill. The horse is guided up the stair steps. It’s harder than it looks. Pictured below is an obstacle full of noodles, not the kind you eat! The objective of this obstacle is for the rider to guide the horse through the noodles from which ever direction the instructor tells them. Another obstacle, riding over logs, like a real trail ride, the rider chooses the best way to step over the logs. |
Zoë's TrailZoë’s Trail has been constructed in memory of Zoë Louise Ruth in an attempt to preserve her life and use her passion to help others for years to come. It begins with the lion, as it was Zoë’s favorite zoo animal, takes you through the water as we travel to the numerous beaches she visited, and passes through a butterfly garden that she enjoyed with her grandmother. As you can imagine, we have made Zoë’s Trail as interactive as possible. We still have work to do in constructing sensory boxes into her favorite stores and restaurants, purchasing animal decoys for the nature section, financing and installing a boundary fence and numerous other things that all add up.
At Heavenly Gaits TRC, Inc. we utilize indoor and outdoor arena’s to teach a wide array of equestrian skills. However, there are some skills that simply cannot be learned from an enclosed area. We often take our lessons to the trails where riders experience obstacles only found in nature. This provides a new and deeper communication between rider and horse as they explore various terrain and wildlife. As a newly founded organization, our trails are a “work in progress,” and are in need of some gentle boundaries and maintenance to keep both rider and horse safe while exploring the trail. With the loss of one of our riders and the support of her family we have been led to the construction of a “sensory trail.” Sensory trails can be created with a very specific audience in mind; however, their unique designs can open doors for any rider. Children and adults experiencing a Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) misinterpret information, such as touch, sound, and movement which affects their ability to plan their actions. Such sensory-processing differences influence the social, emotional, and cognitive functioning of individuals. Goals for each rider vary. However, sensory trails lend themselves to assisting riders in developing motor planning as well as fostering appropriate responses to all sensations in an active, meaningful, and positive manner. With such experiences, individuals are able to perform in a more functional manner throughout everyday life. Nature has many sights, sounds, smells, and textures that create a rich sensory environment beneficial to any rider and those that assist with lessons along the trail. We will embrace all that nature has to offer and enhance our trails with varied footing, slopes, turns, and man-made “activity stations.” Trees, flowers, and hedges will be strategically placed along the trail to create varieties of colors, textures, scents, and in time, wild life. Activity stations will be constructed to further integrate various senses, motor planning, and cognitive problem solving skills. Sensory trails may be designed to stimulate the senses, but provide endless opportunities to explore balance, communication, and therapeutic riding. In our design, we hope to capture the memories and life of our fallen rider in an manner that positively affects others for years to come. Such projects take a great deal of planning, funding, and man power. Our organization prides itself in community involvement, and finds this trail as a chance to bring people together in celebration of the life of Zoë Ruth. |
A sensory trail is a trail ride that incorporates natural and man-made elements and activities that incorporate all the senses - such as hills, bridges, flowers, music or touch stations, and so on. These are so fun to have at a therapeutic riding program!
Therapeutic Riding Sensory Trails
Benefits of a Therapeutic Riding Sensory Trail
Therapeutic Riding Sensory Trails
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.
Activity Ideas for Sensory Trails
"Natural" elements
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Sensory Trail Examples & Articles
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