Triangle Therapeutic Riding – Reinholds, PA
Each horse at Triangle Therapeutic Riding is a success story. Laura Rutledge, founder of TTR, says that the horse that makes them proudest is Aspen. He is a Paint-Draft Appaloosa cross gelding and was an orphaned foal when he came to TTR 6 years ago. Though he was a bully at first, now, he’s the number one therapy horse. Normally, Aspen works with the Veterans, but Laura says that “because he is so relaxed, he also can work with the children, people who are physically challenged, our clients with Autism or just about anyone.”
Laura fell in love with horses at a young age. She started riding when she was just four years old, and since then her life has been filled with riding, teaching, training, and volunteering around horses. When she was a teenager, she saw the amazing results of therapeutic riding. She started Triangle Therapeutic Riding in 2006, named after a triangular German teaching style and for serving people in the trio of counties surrounding Reinholds.
TTR provides therapeutic riding instruction for people with disabilities and special needs, and serves riders of all ages in Lancaster, Lebanon and Berks Counties. They specialize in helping people with autism, cerebral palsy, trauma, and social and emotional issues. They also have a Veterans program – they’ve paired with two local veterans hospitals to help veterans experience the benefits of therapeutic riding.
One veteran shared “here, I do not feel judged, broken, or crazy.” Another rider shared, “here, I learned to find myself, I learned that I can control my emotions and I learned that I have the ability to recover.” The veteran’s program helps riders connect with horses, and reconnect with themselves.
Just like the different riders at TTR, the horses come from all over – some from distinguished show backgrounds, some from hunting backgrounds, and one was a former wild mustang from Montana! Even though they are all pretty different, Laura says that all have “kind hearts, gentle personalities, and reliable demeanors conducive to therapeutic horsemanship. Most of all, they possess an innate instinct to love and care for people.”
The love and care present at TTR can be felt by all, and it makes the barn a special place. One rider shared, “this barn is a place of peace and healing.” Visit the website below to learn more, or to see for yourself, call the number below and ask about touring their barn.
How to Contact This Farm:
www.triangletr.org
30 Martin Drive
Reinholds, PA 17569
(717) 371-3654
Location:
