Therapeutic Driving

Carriage driving is a fast growing sport.  SHHRC can offer students with physical, mental, sensory, or emotional conditions the rewards of interaction and control of a horse or pony while driving from a carriage seat. Using a horse and carriage gives participants an alternative or an addition to riding, opening up the world of horses to those who may be unable to ride due to weight, balance, fatigue, fear of heights, the inability to sit astride, or other issues.  Therapeutic driving is all about imparting knowledge of safety, horses, harnessing, and driving skills to children and adults using teamwork.  It takes 3-5 volunteers to make one driving turn out! Drivers who have a disability and are interested in competing are welcome at mainstream carriage driving competitions, such as pleasure driving and combined driving events, where they compete on an equal footing with the able bodied, and drivers in wheelchairs are seen at these competitions.  As with riding, there are Precautions to Driving

Somerset Hills Handicapped Riding Center