About SunDance

SunDance is a nonprofit organization committed to enriching the lives of children and adults with disabilities through interaction with horses. Our services are available to all people regardless of race, religion, age, gender, disability, or sexual orientation.

SunDance volunteers are people in the Fargo, North Dakota-Moorhead, Minnesota community who realize the importance of therapeutic riding and are willing to commit their time and talent to see people interact with horses who otherwise would not have the opportunity. Board members and volunteers are not paid for their time or services.

Some Benefits of Therapeutic Riding

The benefits of therapeutic riding are as many and varied as the riders. There is no question that the relationship between human and horse and the bond developed through riding is significant to the rider's emotional well-being. The physical effects include muscle relaxation and strength, increase in endurance, stamina, flexibility, and balance.

The benefits of therapeutic riding are sometimes hard to put into terms. Parents and caregivers notice a difference in the physical and emotional perspective of the rider. Carol Olson, mother of rider Angel Olson, says she can feel the difference in Angel when they do the daily stretches and knee bends as part of her daily exercise regimen. Carol notices the difference in her daughter for months after the therapeutic riding lessons are over for the year.

AHA Inc. (The American Hippotherapy Association) promotes the use of the movement of the horse as a treatment strategy in physical, occupational and speech therapy sessions for people living with disabilities. Hippotherapy has been shown to improve muscle tone, balance, posture, coordination, motor development as well as emotional well-being.