The United States is facing a reading crisis. With 60% of all students reading below grade level, parents and caregivers often feel unsure how to support learners who may be struggling. Everyone has different learning styles. It’s important to try various methods to find what works best. Unfortunately, this can be challenging in traditional educational settings.
Emerald M Therapeutic Riding Center is proud to be one of only seven Horse Powered Reading® (HPR) Certified Programs in Florida. Our HPR program is designed to support children of all skill levels, regardless of their abilities.
Horse Powered Reading® Instruction was created in 2012 by Michele Pickel, Ph.D., as an equine-assisted strategy to aid learners experiencing reading difficulties. Horse Powered Reading® provides hope for struggling readers by integrating social-emotional learning with academics. This approach allows learners to experience reading through their mind, body, and emotions.“
Through Horse Powered Reading®, learners interact with horses on the ground, using toys and props to identify obstacles that symbolize their restrictions. The skills addressed through Horse Powered Reading® include:
Decoding - building phonics skills and sight word recognition
Enhancing vocabulary
Developing fluency - reading quickly, accurately, and with expression
Gallop is our small group reading program, where children improve their reading skills in a unique and encouraging way. The groups consist of 2-3 children with similar skill sets.
By combining the power of reading with the gentle presence of horses, Gallop helps children overcome reading anxiety, grow academically, and experience the confidence that comes from mastering new skills.
Our Gallop Program allows children to:
Build reading confidence in a safe, non-judgmental space
Practice around our horses, who offer calming support and motivation
Strengthen their comprehension, vocabulary, and fluency in a group setting
Strengthen their comprehension, vocabulary, and fluency in a group setting
Discover the joy of learning while developing empathy and connection through horses
At Gallop, horses listen, confidence grows, and readers shine!
