New Kingdom Trailriders (NKT) is a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) corporation founded by a group of Christian horse owners wishing to dedicate their animal toward helping others. This desire to be of service to the community has produced a therapeutic horseback riding program for the purpose of contributing positively to the cognitive, physical, emotional, and social wellbeing of people with disa
bilities and challenges in the greater Quad City area and surrounding communities. NKT is affiliated with and accredited by Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH). PATH provides support through setting of safety standards, accreditation, instructor certification, insurance coverage, literature and continuing education seminars which establishes program standards and techniques and provides other professional support to therapeutic horseback riding programs across the nation. PATH is dedicated to promoting the development and expansion of quality horseback riding programs for people with challenges. Since 1984, NKT has provided equine assisted therapeutic programs for the education and recreational benefit of physically, mentally, and emotionally disabled and challenged individuals. Today, NKT works with approximately 80 to 100 students in a given year, ranging from ages four to adult. Horseback riding helps individuals who face physical, mental, social and emotional challenges enrich their lives through:
- Mental Stimulation
- Physical Strengthening
- Emotional Development
- Social Interaction
The horses' soothing rhythm, strength, warmth, and three-dimensional movement patterns provide healthy exercises for the rider while improving their circulation and muscle tone. Most riders show significant improvements in their core strength, fine and gross motor skills, coordination, tone, self confidence, mobility, social skills, and even verbalization after participating in NKT’s programs. NKT is the only premier Accredited PATH facility providing therapeutic riding of this kind in the Quad City Area.
