NEJRO

So far: people have entered since 7/19/98.

       I started volunteering around November of 1997 at Fields of Joy, L.L.P. for community service. First Jill had me go get a horse for her first lesson, then I had to tack him up. During the lesson I led him at the walk and trot around and around, and made him stand while they threw the ball. That's pretty much all I did most of the time. A few times Jill gave me instruction on lunging so she could watch her lesson instead of lunging the horse. Every time I filled out my hours in the volunteer book. Later lessons were moved to Saturdays. If I was there early I helped with stalls or water. I sidewalked a little, but was (and still am) mainly a leader. Playing ball is a lot of fun. the student is supposed to throw a ball, bean bag, or horseshoe into the crate from on the horse's back (a lot harder than you think -I tried), but sometimes it turned into volleyball between Jill and I if the student didn't catch it (or we just had bad aim). After the last lesson I helped sweep and sometimes put the morning feed out. One time we went to buy paint for the MHS barn so I had to carry everything, and another time I cleaned all the brushes and shelves with Betadine and cleaned/swept up the tack room really well.

        Diane got hired at MHS for Rec. and later became the barn manager. She asked me to come help there and start riding Misty. I went on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I had to bring in the lesson horse, groom, and tack him up. Then bring him out to the ring. Once out there I lead 99% of the time, but occasionally side walked. Those lessons were groups (one at a time rode) of about 6 students, so all we did was walk around the ring (some students could trot a little). After lessons towards the end of school some students gave a dance recital so I and a fellow volunteer helped by sitting with Diane's students and bringing them back to their cottages (dorms).

        Now their horses are at MHS and Fields of Joy lessons are run out of there. I also volunteered at the barn durning MHS's camp. I did the same as I mentioned, but also sidewalked more, and got to demonstrate riding once. One week, for special events, we had camp olympics and Diane and I were in charge of the hay pull. Another week the special event was a dance, so to help we helped move the kids back and forth for the Electric Slide, show them the Macarana, push them for the Conga, and do the Chicken Dance with them. That was fun. For lessons after camp I helped on Tuesdays for an hour, Thursdays I got a horse ready for Sarah, rode Misty, then got another horse for Sarah's next lesson when I was done. I double rode with a boy with CP and it was a lot of fun. Then Fridays I volunteered at camp. If I had time I went down more and helped then rode. Sometimes there I would feed, bring the horses+goats in, clean tack (my choice), sweep up, catch chicks (or try to), and water.

        Volunteering at therapeutic riding programs is an excellent experiance. You have to be 13-14 depending on where you live, but don't need to know anything -the instructors and other volunteers will teach you. (I had a friend who hates horses come and everyone loved her, and then have another friend who knows nothing about horses who I teach how to ride after volunteering!). The kids in the programs are wonderful and can be a lot of fun to talk to. Watching their progress, even in one session, is rewarding. Some people gain muscle control, confidence, flexability, even speach, and achieve set goals. Call up the nearest center near you and get involved! You may even get some free riding time in exchange ;-)

       To find the nearest NARHA acredited program call: 1-800-369-RIDE (1-800-369-7433)

Links to TR sites:

• The North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA)
• Special Equestrian Riding Therapy Inc. An absolutely wonderful site about the SERT's program and therapeutic riding in general!
• Loudoun Therapeutic Riding Foundation
• Alaska Therapeutic Riding Association a non-profit organization providing horseback riding and animal therapy programs for kids
• The Adaptive Riding Institute (H.O.R.S.E.S. for the physically challenged)
• The Capital Area Therapeutic Riding Association a tr center in Grantville, PA, USA
• CATRA's info link page therapeutic riding info
• CATRA's tr link page other therapeutic riding sites
• In Harmony Therapeutic Riding, Inc. a NARHA-accredited program based in Ashaway, RI.
• Patchwork Therapeutic Riding Center
• Pony Farm Horse Power Page Pony Farms's therapeutic program- Temple, NH, USA
• Personal Ponies, Ltd. a non-profit organization that donates mini-shetlands to disabled children