Here you will find answers to some typical questions asked
Why are some of your horses wearing masks?
This is the number one question asked at our barn. Most of our horses are older and wear fly masks to keep the flies from bothering their eyes and causing eye infections. They are made of mesh and they can see through them. The horses who wear them are more comfortable when they have them on.
Why do you keep your gate closed?
Often the horses who live at the field are turned out to graze, or simply escape from their paddocks. We keep the gate closed to ensure that they are unable to escape onto the highway!
May I bring my dog to your facility?
We do not allow dogs as they can scare our horses or are a liability to participants. Our insurance also does not allow us to have dogs around, so please leave them at home or in the car!
Can we come and visit?
Yes! But please call to schedule. We offer free educational tours to groups or school field trips that do not include riding.
My child does not have a disability, can they still learn to ride here?
Yes! Our riding lessons are similar to any other facility, except that our main goal is not to produce competitive riders (though we have!) but to make sure our participants have a safe and positive riding experience. We like to see our participants improve their physical ability and become happier people through riding horses!
May we bring treats to your horses or feed them?
We keep our horses on a very strict diet to ensure their health and welfare and do not allow them to have treats. We also do not allow any feeding by hand because it can cause them to become mouthy, which would be hazardous to some of the participants we work with. We are always looking for help with feeding shifts in the morning or evening however, so feel free to ask how to volunteer for that!
How is riding horses therapeutic?
Riding horses can improve a participants balance, strength and endurance. It’s a very physical activity that is also very fun! The motion of a horse waking actually moves the rider through a normal walking gait. So, for someone who has never walked, it can produce a walking experience and for individuals with impaired gait, it can cause improvements in their walking ability. It also greatly improves self-confidence and morale. The whole world can look different from the back of a horse!
How old do you have to be to volunteer?
We prefer that individuals be at least 12 years of age to become a volunteer, however, volunteers must be physically able to handle our horses and assist our riders as well as emotionally mature enough to be able to be able to work with minimal supervision. Our instructors and barn managers main focus is on our participants so we depend on our volunteers to be able to assist us without creating more responsibility.
Do you offer military or other discounts?
Since we are a nonprofit, we are able to offer our riding sessions at a price that is below our costs and depend on fundraisers and community support to keep us in operation. Because of that, we are unable to offer further discounts. We do offer discounts for individuals who are able to volunteer a significant amount and are open to work/trade options. Its important for us to make interacting with horses available and affordable to our community.
Where do your horses come from?
They each have their own story. Some of them have been donated at the end of a competitive career and some we have purchased. They are all different sizes and ages and each has their own special way of teaching kids to ride!