The Rainbow Connection offers Hippotherapy with our trained therapists; JoAnne Schnellbaecher, OT and De Lewis, PT. In a Hippotherapy program the horse is used as a treatment tool for Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and must be done with a certified, licensed therapist trained in this special field. The three dimensional, repetitive movement of the horse combined with the unique environment surrounding the horse and arena make it a tool unmatched by traditional therapeutic methods. Our program has also assisted therapists finishing their training through internships as well as steering several high school and college volunteers towards a degree in healthcare.

Equine Facilitated therapy & Sports Riding
In our Equine Assisted Therapy Program and Adaptive Sports Riding Program, riders work with one of our NARHA (North American Riding for The Handicapped) certified instructors in a class of 2-4 riders and learn horsemanship and life skills. Rainbow Connection offers weekly classes in Equine Assisted Therapy and Adaptive Sports Riding, taught by 3 NARHA certified instructors.

Carriage Driving
For four years, Rainbow Connection offered Carriage Driving classes on Wednesday mornings with Bud the Percheron in the lead. NARHA certified driving instructors Pete Johnson and Jaylee Krier conduct classes teaching students how to harness and drive a horse and carriage through a variety of obstacles, offering the challenges of timed events and increasingly difficult courses to motivate our drivers. Using a horse and carriage gives participants an alternative or addition to riding, opening up the world of horses to those who may be unable to ride due to weight, balance or the inability to sit astride.