Westwind 4-H Riding for the Handicapped was organized and began classes in October 1978. It has been providing horseback riding instruction for children with physical handicaps since its inception. Riders, ages 5 to 19 years, are eligible to participate. Volunteers come from all walks of life. Volunteers must be at least 14 years of age to help out: Learn more about volunteering for 4-H.

The 4-H program is a year-round program. Riding sessions during fall, winter, and spring are held on Monday and Thursday afternoons from 4 to 5 p.m. Riding sessions are eight weeks long, and a different set of riders and volunteers come on each Monday and Thursday. A shorter summer session is held during the month of July. View current schedule.

Westwind is the home base of the Westwind 4-H riding program. The 4-H club (through the Westwind Riding Institute) owns its own horses and has, thanks to the funding support of five local foundations, a fully equipped 4-H barn. The program currently has eight horses and ponies.

About therapeutic horseback riding

The benefits of horse riding are both psychological and physical. The program builds confidence and self esteem; develops coordination and balance; affords freedom of mobility not usually available to the handicapped; offers outdoor fun and a sense of accomplishment; allows disabled and able-bodied people in the community to work together; and allows riders to develop horsemanship skills and independence in riding to the extent that each individual child is capable.

Horse riding is one of the few recreational activities, other than swimming, that is truly physically therapeutic. Horseback riding requires the involvement of the whole body and utilizes every muscle and joint. Sitting astride a horse helps stretch shortened muscles and increases range of motion. At the same time the movement and warmth of the horse can be soothing, helping spastic muscles to relax and stimulating and rebuilding unused ones. Exercises that would be tedious in a clinical setting become exciting and fun in these surroundings. The lessons incorporate exercises ranging from simple stretching to turning "around the world" in the saddle. Games and occasional trail rides lend interest and variety. Riders also have the opportunity to compete at Westwind hosted horse shows.