UPCOMING POLO MATCH: November 6th at Hyde Park Polo club. Come out and show your support

Our Mission:

To create and sustain an equine assisted therapy facility where people with disabilities of all kinds can learn, grow and heal.

Rein and Shine is a NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association) Premiere Accredited Facility, and has been providing horseback riding as therapy since 2001. Rein and Shine is a registered non-profit organization, dedicated to providing an alternative method of healing to children and adults with physical, emotional, social, and/or cognitive disabilities. A horse's three-dimensional gait provides movement unparalleled for therapeutic benefit to the rider with a physical disability. The movements stimulate the rider's trunk and pelvis in a manner that closely resembles the normal gait of a human walk. This input produces specific physical changes in the rider and promotes normalization of tone, postural improvement, increased motor skills, improvements in balance and coordination, and increased strength.

The emotional and social benefits are also noteworthy. Learning a new skill, along with participating in a sport, and overcoming the fear and/or anxiety of being astride a large animal, fosters self-confidence. It also increases motivation, decreases agitation and frustration, and promotes pride and confidence. Of social significance, the barn environment and the relationships that develop between riders, horses, volunteers, and staff, all nurture a sense of belonging.

"Rein & Shine and the instructors have had a wonderfully positive affect on Shayla. With her ability to focus her attention on riding skills, interaction with the horses and barn volunteers, she has significantly improved her overall ability to concentrate. The most noticeable improvement is with her balance, stature, and muscle control. What a true blessing the Rein & Shine program is for kids, parents, and volunteers as well."
-Lisa Duling

"When Tate began riding he was basically using the wheelchair 75% of the time and walking with his cane the rest of the time. He seemed to be at level of comfort with this arrangement, but very quickly began to walk more and express more independent movement. Basically, Tate went from being dependent on a wheelchair to walking 99% of the time. The riding freed him to experience new areas of his newfound abilities. With the encouragement of you and your staff, family and friends, Tate has turned a corner in his recovery. I fully credit this to his experience on horseback."
-Marsha Mikell, Parent of participant