There are many types of disabilities that can benefit from therapeutic riding. For people with disabilities, the relationship with a horse can improve interpersonal and motor skills. While riding they will find the horse's motion similar to human walking. These two benefits alone can enhance life, but riding offers much more.
Improves eye-hand coordination by increasing muscle strength, flexibility, balance and coordination.
Improves confidence and self-esteem by instilling an overall sense of accomplishment and responsibility.
Increase positive emotional behavior, social, interaction and life skills.
Increase communication, memory, speech and learning skills.
Increase attention, concentration, and visual skills.
Promote an overall sense of well-being.
Provide an enjoyable and safe recreational activity.
New Rider & Parent Orientation
First time riders and parents will participate in an orientation at Fox Chase Farm prior to the start of each riding session. The orientation includes a tour of the facility, meeting the horses, a time for evaluation, and determination of needs and goals. The rider or parent/guardian will deliver the required H.I.S. forms and tuition payment at the orientation. General rules and guidelines for the facility will be discussed and the rider will also be fitted for a helmet at this time. Any questions or concerns of the rider or parent/guardian may be addressed during the orientation.
New Rider Orienations are scheduled on an individual basis. Please contact H.I.S. Program Director, Sue Ellen Hargadon, for more information. Sue Ellen can be reached at 757-870-7578 or via email at sue.hargadon@gmail.com
Help Horses In Service raise funds and at the same time earn some scholarship money towards your lessons. Here's how it works. Riders draw a picture about his/her experiences at the farm. Below are some examples that were drawn in the 2007 contest.
Horses In Service will select and use several pieces of artwork to be made into "Blank Card" gift sets. Riders whose artwork is selected and featured on our CARD SETS will earn $30.00 towards a session (or one free lesson).
TURN IN ARTWORK BY: FRIDAY October 1, 2010
SUBMIT ARTWORK TO: Martha Wagner
GIFT CARD SETS AVAILABLE: October 9th, H.I.S. Horse Show
USE SCHOLARSHIP MONEY: Lessons during 2010 - 2011
All riders and their families can also earn additional $$ towards a scholarship. For every 20 CARD SETS that you buy or sell, you can earn $30.00 towards a session (or one free lesson). The gift card sets will make great Christmas presents for all your friends and family.
For more information, please talk to H.I.S. Executive Director
The Therapeutic Riding Association of Virginia (TRAV) holds an annual horse show in Lexington, VA every October. We will NOT have lessons on this weekend in order to provide students and their families an oppertunity to travel to the horse show. Traveling to Lexington with your family to watch this show is worth the time and money. We suggest that you make the trip to watch the first time, in order to see if your student is interested in participating in this event.
Three students at Horses In Service have participated in the Annual TRAV Horse Show in the past. H.I.S. students have won 1st and 2nd place ribbons in the following catagories:
Equitation
Dressage
Trail Ride Course
Pole Bending Course
Costume
If you are interested in participating in the annual horse show in the future, please let me know. There will be additional costs for the families involved, as the expense to transport horses and stay overnight is significant. Also, we have a limited number of horses that we can transport. Please contact Martha Wagner if you are interested in participation or have questions.
Horses In Service Natural Therapeutic Riding Center
H.I.S. 2nd Annual HORSE SHOW
Horses In Service will hold a horse show at Fox Chase Farm, VA this fall. Traveling to Richmond with your family to watch this special horse show is worth the time and money. We suggest that you make the trip to see your student riders progressive skills and support his or her participation in this event.
Almost 100% of H.I.S. riders participated in the 1st Annual Horse Show, held at Dorey Park in 2008. We were very proud of our compeditors who rode in equitation, trail ride course, and pole bending. Their excitement in preforming before the audience was contagious.
There are additional minimal costs for the riders families involved in any horse show. If you are interested in participating in H.I.S. annual horse show or have questions, please contact Sue Ellen Hargadon Call: 757-870-7578 or Email: seharg@cox.net
