The High Road Schools of Perryville and Elkton are participating in the Freedom Hills Therapeutic Riding Program this year. This program is a fun, hands- on and extremely beneficial program that brings horses and individuals with disabilities together for a variety of therapeutic goals.

Students began their lessons at Freedom Hills, which is located in Port Deposit, Maryland, in September and “work” on the farm on a weekly basis. Students are responsible for grooming their assigned horse, organizing supplies, cleaning different areas of the stable and farm, and walking their horse to and from the paddock. They also participate in riding lessons. The students were encouraged to establish a relationship of trust with the horse before riding. One student commented, “My horse seemed to trust me. I walked him, groomed him and fed him before we started riding. I thought I would be nervous to ride, but I wasn’t nervous at all!”

Staff members at the farm agree that individuals have the potential to learn about aspects of life such as accountability, forgiveness, learning through mistakes, teamwork, responsibility, and concentration by interacting with the horses.  One staff member mentioned the amount of emotional control it takes to master riding. 

This program has provided a huge incentive for students to do well in school as they have to maintain the 2 highest behavioral levels in order to participate. Ms. Carri, a teacher in Perryville, is thrilled that the program has been a hit with the students and is not surprised by the never- ending questions about Freedom Hills and one question in particular, “When can we go back??”

High Road School of Perryville

High Road School of Elkton