Northland Therapeutic Riding Center a 501 (c)3 organization  was established in 2000 in response to a need in the northland community.  Our mission is to improve the quality of life of persons with special needs, and create a sense of hope in their future.  Therapeutic Riding uses equine-oriented activities to positively impact the cognitive, physical, emotional, and social well-being of people with special needs from age 2 thru 80 years. 

Equine Therapy and its benefits have been recognized for many years.  Through research it has  become a proven method of increasing the physical, emotional, and developmental abilities for individuals with disabilities.         The horse is a unique therapy tool in that its walk is rhythmic and repetitive and encourages movement responses in riders that are similar to human movement patterns of the pelvis while walking.  Through riding there is a healing interaction between the horse, rider, and volunteer.  Riding encourages cognition, sensory integration, correct muscle tone, gross and fine motor skills, increased stamina, proper posture, coordination, increased range of motion, increased problem solving skills and concentration,  independence, emotional stability, vocalization,  self-esteem and smiles.  Riding a horse can create dramatic and lasting benefits.

Northland Therapeutic Riding Center benefits more than 25 areas of special needs, and provides more than 2,060 hours of therapeutic riding and hippotherapy.   At NTRC, licensed therapists and certified therapeutic riding instructors work with more than 60 children and adults weekly.  NTRC's strength lies not only in the individuals that seek our services, but in the hardworking 100+ weekly volunteers. We work hard to ensure that our program is high quality, and that our organization stays as efficient as possible.  Currently 90% of every donated dollar goes directly to help the children and adults we serve.   The following are disabilities we serve: blind, deaf, hard of hearing, down’s syndrome, autism, Asperger syndrome, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, speech and language disorders, stroke, social and behavioral challenges, at risk students, spinal cord injury, ADD, mentally challenged, and more. 

We are nestled on a 32 acre farm in rural Kearney, Mo.  Come seek us out!  We love having visitors to show off our center.  www.northlandtrg.org      816-808-1209