Goshen schools have been partnering with Winslow Therapeutic Center in Warwick since 2019 to share the physical, cognitive and emotional benefits of therapeutic horseback riding with students.
What began as a program at Goshen High School expanded to the C.J. Hooker Middle School later that year, and to Goshen Intermediate School and Scotchtown Avenue Elementary School in 2020.
This spring marked the start of a new season for students to work with Winslow’s horses and trainers.
Director of Pupil Personnel Services Dr. Heather Hendershot explained that Winslow uses hippotherapy– a physical, occupational, and speech therapy that utilizes a horse’s natural gait and movement to provide motor and sensory input.
“In addition to targeting symptoms of various conditions and disorders, it is theorized to help participants build confidence, self-awareness, and empathy,” she said.
Students said they enjoyed riding the horses, walking with them, and feeding them hay, grass and dandelions.
“It’s nice to see the connection between the students and the animals,” said GHS Teacher Charles Doyle. “You see students loving nature with animals. Sometimes things can be difficult for them, but the horses feed off their vibes. They’re really calm. It’s really cool to see.”
![Three teenagers in helmets smile standing in front of horses eating hay in an enclosure outdoors.](https://i0.wp.com/www.gcsny.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_2272-1024x768.png?ssl=1)
![AN intermediate school student in a pink helmet sits atop a black horse in an indoor corral with adults standing next to them.](https://i0.wp.com/www.gcsny.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/PXL_20240523_143912270-1024x771.jpg?ssl=1)
![A smiling intermediate student in a helmet pets a brown and white horse that is almost twice his height in a stable.](https://i2.wp.com/www.gcsny.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/PXL_20240503_145233476.PORTRAIT-771x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
![An intermediate student wearing a helmet makes a funny face with his hands on his hips.](https://i2.wp.com/www.gcsny.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_3123-rotated.jpg?ssl=1)
![An intermediate school student in a white helmet gently brushes a brown horse in a stable with colorful harnesses hanging on the wall next to them.](https://i1.wp.com/www.gcsny.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/PXL_20240523_142424854-1024x771.jpg?ssl=1)
![An intermediate student smiles wearing a pink helmet in a hallway with a smiling adult leaning toward her shoulder.](https://i2.wp.com/www.gcsny.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_3148-rotated.jpg?ssl=1)
![A high school student wearing a white helmet rides a brown horse in an indoor corral with an adult standing next to him.](https://i0.wp.com/www.gcsny.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_2278-1-1024x771.png?ssl=1)
![An intermediate school student smiles wearing a white helmet and petting a brown horse in a stable with colorful harnesses hanging on the wall behind them.](https://i1.wp.com/www.gcsny.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/PXL_20240523_142433188.PORTRAIT-1024x773.jpg?ssl=1)
![A group of high school students stand together smiling holding certificates in a classroom.](https://i1.wp.com/www.gcsny.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/20240507_120236-1024x768.jpg?ssl=1)
![An intermediate student in a white helmet stands with his lips pressed together looking at a brown donkey in a stable.](https://i0.wp.com/www.gcsny.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/PXL_20240530_145726530-1024x771.jpg?ssl=1)
![An intermediate student in a white helmet and Sonic the Hedgehog hoodie looks to the ground next to him while sitting atop a black horse in an indoor corral.](https://i0.wp.com/www.gcsny.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/PXL_20240530_151113212.PORTRAIT-1024x771.jpg?ssl=1)