About Riverwood

Riverwood provides quality, professional equine assisted activities for both children and adults with special needs. Equine assisted activities help to improve muscle tone, balance, posture, coordination and motor development as well as emotional well being. Founded in 1995, Riverwood is a 501 (c)(3) charitable corporation serving 90 individuals weekly. We are a PATH Intl. (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International) Premier Accredited center with three nationally certified instructors and a physical therapist registered at the intermediate level with PATH International and AHA (American Hippotherapy Association). Riverwood is located among 53 acres in Tobaccoville, NC and serves Forsyth, Yadkin, Stokes, Surry and Davie Counties.

The Riverwood Barn was completed in 2002 and houses a 60’ by 120’ indoor arena for year round activities. It also includes a classroom with observation window, an office, 5 horse stalls, feed room and tack room.

Riverwood offers several programs:

Therapeutic Riding offers goal directed activities including riding skills, exercises, games, stable management and trail riding.

EAL/EAP activities are experiential modalities that incorporate horses in activities designed to enhance personal growth and learning. We follow the EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association) model, which uses a team approach that focuses on clients finding their own solutions to problems. All EAL/EAP activities are conducted on the ground (there is no riding). The team includes a mental health professional (MHP), and equine specialist (ES), and the horse.

Hippotherapy is a one on one treatment session with a licensed physical, occupational or speech therapist, focusing on individual therapy goals while incorporating the horse in the therapy session.

Traditional Able-bodied lessons are offered at specific times throughout the year for volunteers, siblings, parents and the community.