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Hi Roberta, my name is Robyn Marie and I have taught Therapeutic Riding for
over 20 years. I teach at Freedom Hills Therapeutic Riding Program in Port
Deposit, MD. We never have a waiting list, as soon as a potential rider has
their paperwork complete we will find a space for them even though we keep our
sessions small - no more than 5 in a group per instructor. And of course we
ALWAYS need volunteers.
We have always accomodated every potential client who has come to us as
long as we have a Doctor Referral and there is no problem as far as safety
for horse or rider. Our fees are on a sliding scale from Group Therapy starts
at $20 per session and slides all the way down to $0. We do ask that all
riders participate in at least 3 fundraisers per year and 2 work days. Private
Sessions start at $45 per and go down again to $0. We realize many of the
people needing our services have whopping medical and life bills so we try our
best to help who ever needs it. We have never turned a rider away for lack of
payment.
We teach year round Monday through Friday - some Saturdays during the
winter and I also teach on Sunday private students who need calm and quiet.
Our
riders also compete and are mainstreamed with our "able bodied" riders
whenever possible. We also have a drill team made up of riders who are
challenged
and not so challenged.
I work with our Public School System and provide a "living skills",
vocational program for several different groups of students - Behavior
Modification
- Mildly/Moderately Learning Challenged and At Risk Youth. I've also worked
with clients who have experienced Severe Head Trauma - Abused and Neglected
Youth and Adults - Senior Citizens. My youngest rider to date was one year old
and the oldest was 93 years old (he was a Veteran of World War One and had
actually driven mules pulling cannons during the war). Enough of that -
not tooting my own horn just a little background on our Program and the very
wide varieties of abilities and disabilities we have worked with.
You didn't mention where you or the children are located, please let me
know. I may know someone in your area.
Otherwise I do have several suggestions, first and foremost you need to
have insurance that will cover you and your family and farm should something
bad happen. We live in such a sue happy world today that you must cover
yourself first. Even when having friends over to ride or giving someone's
child a
quick pony ride you really should have a liability release signed. They won't
keep you out of court but they will show you were operating in a
professional manner.
Any time you are working with children no matter what their
disabilities or abilities - you run the risk of being sued twice. First by the
parents
for their child and then when the child turns legal age they are allowed to
sue again. Therapeutic Riding Programs have been sued by riders, parents,
guardians, volunteers, owners of horses etc.. Many of these lawsuits, we
horse
people can not imagine that the "injured" party could win but they do. Don't
make the mistake of believing that your home owners policy would cover this.
Technically horses are considered "an attractive nuisance" any way - if
someone
tresspasses onto your property and are hurt by your horse you can be held at
fault.
Having a Special Ed teacher available is helpful. Of course I don't know
if the children's injuries are just physical or I would think also
psychological.
As to the physical aspects - how old/big are the children - the fjord
wonderful broad back may be too wide depending on the children themselves.
They
may not be able to stretch that far at first. You may need to backride them
or possibly a pad with a surcingle - the saddle issue itself may be way down
the road. If using a saddle it should be equipped with (english) safety
stirrups either peacocks or my preference kwik outs - (western) devonshire
boot
(enclosed fronts). Helmets that properly fit and they should be worn the
ENTIRE
time the rider is around the horse whether on or not.
Here again more info is needed and the input of a good PT preferably who
has knowledge of Therapy on Horseback. And volunteers : backriding alone
takes a good solid leader - the person (backrider) who sits behind the rider
(acts as a chair) and 4 volunteers (two on each side) and the most important
partner of this team : a good sound smooth consistant moving mount (short
coupled)who will tolerate all those people in close quarters.
Just "regular" riding still takes a leader and one to two sidewalkers for
safety and security. Therapy on and with horses is a wonderful tool for many
people with challenges but it should be done under the safest possible
conditions. Now that's not to say it can't be fun because it should be fun
besides
all the therapy stuff. We have a great time with soft beach balls, nerf
balls, treasure hunts finding tack and lots of games on horseback. Or even
just a
quiet trail ride through the woods.
This is getting really lengthy and I'm sure I haven't answered your
questions. Please feel free to contact me off the list if I can be of any help.
It's a great thing you wish to do and I will help in any way possible.
Sincerely, Robyn Marie
