Horseback riding as therapy began in 1952, when Liz Hartel of Denmark who, despite being handicapped by polio,
won a silver medal for dressage at the 1952 Olympics in Finland.
The disease had left her with paralyzed legs. Nevertheless, she was able to get back on her horse, Jubilee and began
riding to rebuild her strength. By 1952 she had regained enough strength and coordination to win the equestrian event.
Her experience inspired a Norwegian therapist to establish a riding group for children with special needs. Soon after,
England also began offering therapeutic riding to children.
Therapeutic horseback riding came to both the United State and Canada in1960 with the formation of the Community Association of Riding of the Disabled.
In 1969 the Cheff Center for the Handicapped was established in Michigan, which remains the oldest and largest center intended specifically for people with disabilities. Then in 1969 the North American Riding for the Handicapped
Association (NARHA) was formed. Currently, at 760 NARHA riding centers more than 30,000 individuals with disabilities find a sense of independence through horseback riding.
What started as a success story in 1952 soon evolved into a worldwide effort of dedicated ranch owners, therapists,
and a few special horses. They are joined statewide by the Pennsylvania Council on Therapeutic Horsemanship and
nationally by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA).