Welcome Riders and Potential Riders

Central  Illinois Riding Therapy (CIRT) is a non-profit organization serving  children and adults with disabilities from Tazewell and surrounding  counties, in a comprehensive recreational and therapeutic horseback  riding program. Early in 1983, a large group of people from Peoria and  Tazewell counties met for the first time to discuss the possibility of  starting a handicapped riding program for the area. In October that  year, CIRT began its first classes funded by seed money provided by  4-H.  CIRT operates under the 4-H not-for-profit 501C3 charter and in  accordance with the guidelines established by the North American Riding  for the Handicapped Association (NARHA), now known as Professional  Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.). CIRT  moved to various places throughout the Peoria and Tazewell County area  until a permanent location was found in the spring of 1988. This was  provided through an agreement with the Fondulac Park District, at our  present location in Neumann Park at, 305 Neumann Drive in East Peoria,  IL (off Route 150).

We are committed to the principle that  persons with disabilities are entitled to the same opportunities and  rights as their non disabled peers. Our program provides activities that  enhance physical and mental skills, aids in mobilization, promotes  socialization and communication; and builds independence and self  confidence.

Skills developed lead to integration  into typical community riding programs, as well as transfer to other  activities of daily living. 

Horseback  riding is strongly motivating for the person with disabilities.  Participants are required to reach their fullest capabilities through a  non-traditional environment which promotes therapy and fun.  The program  is open to any person with a disability whose doctor has determined  that horseback riding could provide beneficial therapy.  We serve  individuals with a variety of physical, emotional, behavioral and mental  disabilities including Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida,  Autism, visual and hearing impairments, Wounded Warriors, learning  disabilities and others. 

The bond between horse and participant  is unmatched. The horse's smooth rhythmical three-dimensional rolling  movement which promotes patterns paired with the warmth generated from  the horse may help normalize muscle tone, strengthen muscles, promote  good posture and facilitate normal movement patterns necessary for the  development of gross and fine motor skills.

By using the horse as a therapeutic  modality, increased range of motion in the pelvis, spine and hip joints,  development of head and trunk control, increased balance and righting  responses, improved upper extremity function, relaxation and muscle  re-education may occur. Confidence is built as each participant develops  skills that demonstrate control over their horse. Responsibility is  reinforced as each participant learns to care for a living animal.

Communication increases as  participants are challenged to give directions to their horse and  independence develops as participants become confident and transfer  their skills into other activities of daily living. Participants improve  socialization skills by interacting as part of a group with their peers  and volunteer assistants. Riding is fun and affords each individual a  leisure time pursuit which can be shared with other family members and  friends. 

Our program is dedicated  to the growth and development of each individual with the goal for  every student to ride as independently as possible. 

• Individually tailored therapeutic  horseback riding lessons for children over 4 years old, youth, adults,  and US Veterans with mental, physical, emotional and/or behavioral  disabilities. 
• 1/2 hours or hour lessons
• April through November
• Mondays 4 pm to 8 pm
• Tuesdays 4 pm to 8 pm
• Wednesday 10 am to 5 pm
• Thursday 4 pm to 8 pm

The following is a brief, non medical  description of some of the disabilities and conditions of participants.   This is not intended as a comprehensive explanation of a specific  disability but rather as a general overview, along with an explanation of how therapeutic riding is beneficial.

Cerebral Palsy:   "CP"-a non progressive disorder of movement and posture thought to be  due in part to loss of oxygen to the brain.  Speech, hearing, vision,  learning and/or memory deficits may be present; however, normal  intelligence is generally not affected unless further brain damage has  occurred.  There are three main types of Cerebral Palsy:

Spastic: Occurs in  approximately 70% of all cases.  It may affect motor function in one or  more limbs.  The muscles stay flexed and tense and the facial muscle  involvement may affect speech. Benefits: Riding may improve balance,  posture and the ability to relax.  It also strengthens weakened  muscles. 

Athetoid:  Occurs in  approximately 20% of all cases.  It manifests in slow, jerky,  involuntary movements of arms and legs.  It appears more obvious during  periods of emotional tension.  Speech functions are usually  involved. Benefits: Riding may improve balance, relaxation of muscles  and posture.

Hypotonic: Occurs in  approximately 10% of all cases.  Weakness, poor coordination and  difficulty with quick and fine motor movements result in loose, "rag  doll" appearance. Benefits: Riding may help strengthen and tighten loose  muscles, balance, posture and fine motor skills.

Down Syndrome:  Is one of the more easily and widely identified hereditary disabilities.  Individuals may have impaired intelligence and poor muscle  tone. Benefits: Riding improves expressive and receptive language  skills, gross and fine motor skills, balance, posture and coordination. Must have negative AAI. 

Emotional Disabilities:  "ED"-A  congenital or acquired syndrome often compounded by learning and/or  physical disabilities incorporating numerous other pathologies.  In  general, individuals have trouble coping with everyday life situations  and interpersonal relationships.  Behaviors such as short attention  span, avoidance, aggression, autism, paranoia or schizophrenia may be  exhibited. Benefits: Riding can provide structure to a disorganized  thought pattern, increase feelings of self confidence and self awareness  and provide appropriate social therapy. 

Hearing Impairment:  Hearing  impairment may vary from mild to severe and may be congenital or  acquired.  True deafness is defined as hearing loss in both ears severe  enough to prevent communication through the ear with amplification.   Communication may involve lip reading, finger spelling (the manual  alphabet) or sign language. Benefits: Riding helps increase self  confidence, balance, posture and coordination. It also provides  appropriate social outlets and interaction.

Learning Disabilities:  "LD"-Learning  disabled is a catch all phrase for individuals who have problems  processing, sequencing and problem solving but who appear to have  otherwise normal intelligence skills.  New learning generally takes time  to be integrated and may need to be reviewed frequently to insure  retention. Benefits riding may increase attention span, group activity  skills, cooperation, receptive and expressive language skills, posture  and coordination.

Mental Retardation:   "MR"-is  a condition involving subaverage intellectual functioning.  It may also  involve delayed physical and emotional development. Benefits: Riding  helps increase group activity skills, coordination, balance, and  posture, gross and fine motor skills, eye-hand coordination and  attention to tasks.

Multiple Sclerosis:  "MS"-An  auto immune neurological disease usually occurring in adults between  20-40 years of age and more frequently in women than men.  Symptoms and  manifestations include weakness in one or more limbs, visual impairment,  minor gait disturbances, weakness on one or both sides of the body,  emotional highs and lows and inattention.  MS runs a course of  progression with periods of remission.  There is no known cure for  MS. Benefits: Riding maintains and strengthens weak muscles and provides  opportunities for improved self esteem.

Muscular Dystrophy:  "MD"-A  hereditary condition usually appearing in infancy, early childhood or  adulthood.  It is characterized by progressive skeletal and muscle  deterioration. Benefits: Riding may slow muscle tone degeneration and  maintain muscle function.  Riding provides appropriate opportunities for  social interactions and elevate emotion depressions.

CIRT's right to refuse participation in the program includes, but is not limited to, the following reasons:

• Age: i.e. under 4 years old
• Contraindication
• Creates an unsafe or unhealthy situation for the participant, staff, team of trained volunteers and/or horse. 
  • Behavior
  • Height
  • Weight: 300 lbs or more
  • Medical conditions
  • Criminal record or conviction of a felony for 
    • stealing
    • violence
    • sexual offence 

Should the participant become ineligible they will be discharge by the following means.

• A written letter explaining why and if they will be eligible in the future.
• A meeting will be arranged if requested.

CIRT is a Wounded Warrior Facility.  However we do not limit to just wounded Veterans after 9/11/2001, we serve all Wounded Warrior Veterans.  

We are currently seeking donations for our Wounded Warrior Program so all Veterans may receive CIRT's therapeutic riding benefits for Free!!!

If you are interested in participating as a rider, volunteer, or donor please contact us at 309.699.3710 or cirt@cirt.info