Services Provided by AFTEC

Services Provided By Our Center

Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies are individually designed to suit each participant's particular need.

Children and Adults
with Special Needs

Why Horses?

Because a horse has a natural rhythmically progressive gait; a swinging motion which then transfers from horse to rider, horseback riding provides a combination of sensory and neurological input that can be used to treat a broad range of disabilities.

AFTEC provides Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies for individuals with a variety of conditions including but not limited to:

Arthritis
Attention Deficit Disorder
Autism
Multiple Sclerosis
Cerebral Palsy
Developmental Delay
Down Syndrome
Emotional Disabilities
Hearing Impairment
Learning Disabilities
Multiple Sclerosis
Muscular Dystrophy
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Sensory Integration Dysfunction
Spina Bifida
Spinal Cord Injury
Stroke
Traumatic Brain Injury
Vision Impairment

Therapeutic riding students learn balance and coordination through a therapy which supports the whole body. Ground activities provide opportunities to learn horse management skills like grooming, tacking and horsemanship. Individuals gain a sense of mastery, self-confidence and accomplishment!

Horses for Heroes

AFTEC is proud and excited to announce the opening of our Horses for Heroes Program in partnership with the Bluegrass Army Depot and in cooperation with Eastern Kentucky University’s Veterans’ Club.

H4H was developed by NARHA and is a program of Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies (EAATs) for veterans and active duty soldiers. EAATs have been found helpful in assisting wounded warriors reconnect with their families and communities and to rise above psychological and physical challenges through the age-old relationship between horse and human.

Participants are supported by volunteers as needed. Volunteers support riders through horse management and through encouragement and facilitation with activities.

It has been proven that military helping military is an additional benefit of the program. Everyone benefits from this experience.

Families Ride Together

AFTEC's Belief in inclusion and involvement offers opportunities for family members to participate in riding activities.
We have found that sharing horseback riding activities and lessons gives families a chance to interact and cooperate in ways that promote feelings of well being and connection.

Driving Program (Future)

AFTEC has begun working toward development of its Driving Program. The Percheron mares, Debbie and Dena, were a generous donation to AFTEC by Mark and Cheryl.
Driving a carriage or cart pulled by a pony or horses gives an unparalleled opportunity for the freedom of movement unavailable in other activities. This experience is open to those who can not, or chose not to go astride a horse, or who want to add driving skills to their riding skills.

Cowboy Art