The National Capital Region, the U.S. Park Police Horse Mounted Patrol Unit, and the Rock Creek Park Horse Center have collaborated to develop a therapeutic riding program for injured U.S. military veterans. This fledgling program, the “RideWell” program, is dedicated on all fronts to enhancing and facilitating traditional therapies offered to injured soldiers.

On Tuesday, June 10, the program completed its first class of lessons for three injured soldiers from the Washington, D.C., Veterans Administration Medical Center Polytrauma Services. The goal is to expand the program to offer future courses to soldiers.

Therapeutic riding is a carefully structured, regulated, precious opportunity to heal all levels of injury; as well as emotional, sensorial, spiritual, physical, and intellectual healing. It is useful in tandem with psychotherapy, as well as physical, occupational, and recreational therapy. Therapeutic riding has helped patients meet their therapy goals and improve their functioning.

During the sessions, the soldiers participate in grooming, tacking, lunging, learning about horse psychology, and riding along trails. Rock Creek Riders Inc. sponsored the initial sessions. The nonprofit volunteer organization supports the therapeutic riding programs at the Rock Creek Park Horse Center.

The RideWell program riding instructors are all certified through the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association. The program also employs an occupational therapist and a physical therapist who work on the veterans’ physical balance, muscle strengthening, self-esteem, confidence and health of spirit.

U.S. Park Police Horse Mounted officers have volunteered to facilitate the therapeutic riding sessions by side-walking with the riders and leading the horses. This is a challenging task with an adult on a horse who may have impaired balance and difficulty processing directions quickly. It is reassuring to the staff and riders to have these officers walk alongside, providing support to keep the rider safe, as well as leading the horses during the sessions.

The Rock Creek Park Horse Center is well-established for public trail riding, boarding horses, and riding lessons and is located within Rock Creek Park. Guest Services Inc., an authorized concessionaire of the National Park Service, manages the facilities.

The entire RideWell Program was inspired by U.S. Park Police horse mounted officer Barbara Blendy and facilitated by Rock Creek Park Horse Center facility manager Janet Counts.

This article is the collaborative effort of all partners involved in the RideWell Program. These partners believe the RideWell Program is just one small opportunity to thank our American heroes who have so selflessly protected our country and our freedom.