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Narrative

Wildstar Wranglers helps 18 to 25 year-olds with Autism Spectrum Disorder prepare for future employment and engage in meaningful work in a safe, supportive, supervised environment. This vocational program teaches basic job skills required in any work setting, such as showing up on time, following directions, checking your work, accepting and giving feedback, identifying and initiating additional work that needs to be done, and communicating effectively with co-workers and supervisors, employability.

Benefits of Therapeutic Riding & Horsemanship for People on the Spectrum.

Our horses are invaluable educators and therapy partners. A horse doesn’t care what we look like, if we can see, if we take medication, or what happened to us at school or home that day. 

Horses live in the moment. They respond to kindness and patience, not appearances or expectations. Gaining the trust and respect of a 1000-pound animal takes self-control and builds self-esteem. 

Taking care of an animal, especially a large one, teaches children and young adults to accept responsibilities. Learning to work with and ride a horse requires determination and perseverance.

The benefits of mounted and unmounted activities (otherwise known as “horsemanship”) are manifold, many:

• Behavioral – Participants learn to regulate their behavior, recognize behavioral changes occurring, interpret the horse’s and their own body language, and employ coping strategies.
• Cognitive – The horse provides a strong motivator for participants. Riding and horsemanship sessions incorporate activities and games designed to help achieve specific goals such as following multi-step directions and staying on task. 
• Emotional – The relationships that develop among participants, volunteers, horses and staff are an integral part of a positive, emotional experience provided by a therapeutic riding and horsemanship program. Overcoming fear and anxiety as well as the ability to master riding and other skills help individuals realize self-worth and increase self-confidence.
• Physical – The horse’s movement has a dynamic effect on the rider’s body. It stimulates brain function, which can lead to significant gains in language, mobility, neurological organization and self-confidence.
• Sensory – The sights and sounds a participant encounters on a farm contribute to the overall sensory experience. Being in nature helps reduce stress, negative thinking, aggression, blood pressure and heart rate while increasing happiness, productivity and cognitive performance. 
• Social – Equine-assisted activities provide an opportunity for participants to interact with their peers, volunteers and staff in a positive and enjoyable environment. 
• Spiritual – The horse-human bond helps ground individuals in the present and raises self-awareness. Interaction with animals can have a profound positive effect on the spirit and soul of all who work with them.

Service Types

• Horseback Riding
• Job Training
• Mental Health
• Occupational Therapy
• Skills Training
• Socialization Activities

Program Type

• Vocational

Populations Served

• Asperger's Syndrome
• Autism Spectrum
• Behavior Disorder
• Language Impairment
• Learning Disabilities
• Mental Illness
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Sensory Processing Disorder
• Suicide Loss Survivors

Ages Served

• 14 - 18
• 19 - 22
• 23 – 59

Accessibility Features

• Accessible Parking
• Accessible Restrooms
• Wheelchair Ramps

Additional Information

• Accredited By: Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship
• Fees: Free Service
• Licensed By: Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship and Commonwealth of Massachusetts