| Sunrise EquiTherapy | A Typical Session |
||||
After receiving a doctor's permission and all forms are completed the rider is evaluated by the facilities therapist and instructor. Goals for the six week session are established by the rider (if able), parent/guardian, instructor, and/or therapist. Often the rider's classroom teacher is consulted for goal setting. Lessons are then designed to meet the goals through specific objectives. The instructor writes out a plan for each lesson and at the end of the lesson an evaluation is completed by all involved with the rider. |
 |
|||
| When the rider arrives for the first lesson they are given a tour of the barn, meet all the horses and are instructed about safety. The appropriate horse, tack, helmet, gait belt (if needed) is selected and fitted. The instructor decides how the rider will mount using the ramp, big mounting block, small mounting block, from the ground, and how many volunteers are needed to assist the rider. Some of the riders need to be lifted onto the horse. Beginning riders are accompanied around the arena by one volunteer who leads the horse, two volunteers walk on either side of the horse (sidewalkers) and help the rider maintain balance. The certified instructor and/or therapist direct the lesson. |
||||
 |
As riders improve they can graduate to group session with other riders. More advanced riders may need fewer volunteers and eventually become independent riders. Some riders can advance to riding in the pasture or to the outdoor nature/sensory trail that will be established at our new location. Riders that are able to learn how to groom, muck out stalls, lead the horse safely and tack-up, untack, clean tack and put tack away. | |||
Depending upon the rider's limitations, he or she may or may not ride in the traditional manner. Sometimes students ride sidesaddle if their current physical conditions do not permit them to straddle the horse. Some individuals may ride facing backwards with their fore arms or hands on the horses rump. Also, riders usually do more than just ride their horses. While atop their horses, riders may be asked to catch and throw balls or bean bags, remove items from a bucket, place rings or remove rings from our special tree, remove scrunchies from the horse's mane, or even play basketball! Performing these skills atop a horse, improves balance, hand-eye coordination, listening and communication skills and it is fun. Music also enters into the lesson where appropriate. The favorite song this year is "The Freeze" and "She'll be Comin' Around the Mountain." |
 |
|||
 |
More Aspects to the Sunrise EquiTherapy Program! Another aspect to the Sunrise EquiTherapy program is the curriculum used to reinforce the concepts which are being taught. Therefore, horse homework is given at the end of the lesson. Books, worksheets, workbooks, charts and videos are all integrated into the lessons. All homework given is age appropriate. Adult riders can enjoy books such as "Seabiscuit," "The Horse Whisperer," "Chicken Soup for the Horse Lovers Soul," etc. It is quite noticeable that the Director of Sunrise EquiTherapy is a teacher! The horse is just a tool that helps the rider. The best part of it is that the rider doesn't know they are receiving therapy. They think they are riding a horse and having fun, and that's what is thought about more than that they are being stretched or being challenged. Just like any type of therapy, improvements in the patient's condition are slow and steady. Many of our riders continue to ride into the next session and some of our clients have ridden with the Sunrise program for as many as five years. |
|||
Parents, grandparents and riders themselves become more involved with Sunrise as they volunteer to help out with fund raising and informing the community about our program. Exhibition rides are given to help inform the public about what those with disabilities "CAN DO!" Our special rides also reach out to other individuals who may want to be part of the Sunrise program as a rider, volunteer, or donor. To see individuals with disabilities ride horses is truly an unforgettable experience. Not only do they sit taller and smile more, they extend their dreams beyond the confines of their disabilities into new unexplored worlds. Riding exercises the mind, body and most of all the spirit. |
 |
|||
