SPECIAL METHODS IN LEARNING EQUINE SKILLS INC

THERAPEUTIC RIDING TEACHES HORSEMANSHIP SKILLS WHILE USING THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITIES THAT OFFER CHALLENGING RECREATION GEARED TOWARDS THE INDIVIDUAL'S PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, SOCIAL AND EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS IN MIND. IN OUR THERAPEUTIC RIDING PROGRAM, PARTICIPANTS LEARN TRUE HORSEMANSHIP SKILLS AS WELL AS FOUNDATIONS FOR LIFE'S ENDEAVORS. THE PATH INTERNATIONAL CERTIFIED INSTRUCTORS DEVELOP CHALLENGING LESSON PLANS THAT INCORPORATE SPECIFIC RIDING SKILLS TO MEET THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF EACH INDIVIDUAL, AND AT THE SAME TIME FOSTER SUCCESS. SMILES RUNS IN FOUR 8 WEEK SESSIONS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, WHERE CLIENTS TYPICALLY COME ONCE A WEEK FOR A 45 MINUTE RIDING LESSON BASED IN A SMALL GROUP SETTING.HEARTS (HORSE EXPERIENCES & ACTIVITIES RESULTING IN THERAPEUTIC SUCCESS) IS AN UNMOUNTED PROGRAM DESIGNED ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS TO ACCOMMODATE EACH STUDENT'S SPECIFIC NEEDS AND GOALS. CLIENTS LEARN HOW TO SAFELY WORK WITH THE HORSES IN A ONE-ON-ONE SETTING WHERE THEY WILL COVER TOPICS SUCH AS HORSE CARE, GROOMING, LEADING, SADDLING, AND SO MUCH MORE! THIS PROGRAM IS TAILORED TO EACH INDIVIDUAL AND THEIR ABILITIES TO ENSURE SUCCESS.CLIENTS TYPICALLY COME ONCE A WEEK FOR A 30 MINUTE LESSON FOR THE DURATION OF A 9 WEEK SESSION, WORKING ONE-ON-ONE WITH A PATH INTERNATIONAL CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR. THIS IS A GREAT OPTION FOR CLIENTS THAT WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THEIR HORSE OUTSIDE OF RIDING, OR FOR CLIENTS THAT ARE UNABLE TO PHYSICALLY RIDE BUT STILL WANT TO RECEIVE THE THERAPEUTIC BENEFITS OF WORKING WITH THE HORSES.RECREATIONAL RIDES SMILES OFFERS UNIQUE FIELD TRIP-TYPE EXPERIENCES FOR SCHOOLS AND GROUP HOMES CALLED RECREATIONAL RIDES.THE PLANNING OF THE DAY'S ACTIVITIES WILL BE TAILORED PER YOUR REQUESTS. WE CAN ACCOMMODATE UP TO 18 CLIENTS PER VISIT, DIVIDING THEM INTO THREE STATIONS. WHILE ONE GROUP IS LEARNING TO RIDE THE HORSES FOR ONE HALF HOUR, THE REMAINING TWO GROUPS ARE PARTICIPATING IN A SPECIALIZED STATION CONSISTING OF FARM AND HORSE RELATED ACTIVITIES SUCH AS GROOMING, LEADING, HORSE NUTRITION, OR BAKING HORSE COOKIES, ETC. THE LIST GOES ON AND ON SINCE OUR 35 ACRE FACILITY PROVIDES MANY UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES. AT THE END OF EACH HALF HOUR, THE GROUPS ROTATE ACTIVITY STATIONS SO THAT ALL THE STUDENTS ENJOY THE SAME REWARDING EXPERIENCE. ALL OF THESE ACTIVITIES ADDRESS SENSORY LEVELS, PHYSICAL EXERCISE, ENDURANCE, NURTURING, AND JUST PLAIN FUN! OUR CLIMATE CONTROLLED ARENA ALLOWS US TO OFFER THIS PROGRAM IN ANY WEATHER.