Farm Policies & FAQs

 Because of the nature of our work here, our customers have a right to privacy and confidentiality.  Please be considerate of others when on the farm. Remember, horses are large prey animals.  This cannot be trained out of them. For safety reasons, please keep younger children close by and have them refrain from running around and yelling, which only serves to distract horse and rider.  Please refrain from wondering around the property unless expected and/or escorted by staff.

BASIC SAFETY
There are electric fences all around that are usually on, so use caution.  While touching an electric fence isn’t necessarily fatal, it doesn’t feel very good.  Please refrain from hand feeding the horses or playing with their mouths/noses.  Some horses cannot tell the difference between a finger and a carrot.  Please do not allow children to play on the mounting ramp, or play with other equipment. 

DOGS
Unfortunately, dogs are not welcome to visit the farm.  Please leave them at home.  Waiting in the car is also not allowed.  This upsets the farm dog, Brodie, and can be alarming for horses walking by.

HOURS
We don’t have general open-to-the-public hours as we’re always teaching lessons.   If you would like to make an appointment to visit the farm or take lessons, please don’t hesitate to call so that we can give you our undivided attention.

HELMETS
Mounted riders will wear an approved ASTM helmet, with chin strap.  If you don’t have one, we can provide one.

ENTERING THE RING
When there are horses in the ring, they are attentive to the rider.  Please use caution when entering the ring from the shop and the back door, so as to not spook the horse. 

WEIGHT LIMITS
Due to the size and strength of our current horses, we must enforce a weight limit to ensure horse health and rider safety.  Currently, our weight limit is 185 pounds. 

PARKING
Live so that others may live; Park so that others may park.  Under the best of circumstances, please park out back along the fence line (in a way that allows adequate parking for others) and enter through the back door. There is a waiting area/information board at the back entrance. Please park so that you don’t block the driveway, it makes the driveway unsafe to pass through with horses.  

24 HOUR CANCELLATION
Due to the nature of our work, and the number of volunteers we must coordinate for each lesson, it is imperative that we get a 24 hour cancellation notice for all lessons.  Should you be late for your lesson, the rider may be able to finish out his/her time without extension.  Make up lessons will only be offered when cancellations are made on the part of the farm.  There are times when we must cancel a lesson, and we will do so with as much advanced notice as possible, and reschedule it in a timely manner.  It may be because we do not have adequate volunteer coverage, a horse may have an injury, or the weather may pose some threat to safety.  You will not be charged for a cancellation on our part and we apologize in advance for any inconvenience to you.

CANCELLATION DUE TO WEATHER
We will cancel lessons when it is below 20 degrees.  It’s just not fun or safe for horse and rider when it’s that cold. We may also cancel lessons during a huge thunderstorm or downpour, or if the temperatures are in the 90’s.  We will make every effort to contact you regarding the cancelled lesson in a timely fashion.  However, should you be concerned about the weather- don’t hesitate to call.  We will leave a message on the machines.   

FAQ's

What is Therapeutic Riding?

Therapeutic riding benefits individuals with physical disabilities, including but not limited to: traumatic brain injury, Down Syndrome, MS, and Autism. It has been shown that equine-assisted activities improve muscle tone, balance, posture, coordination, and motor development, as well as emotional well-being. Therapeutic riding developed in Europe and NARHA sought to bring these benefits to individuals with physical disabilities in the United States as well.

The Equine Facilitated Mental Health Association, an emerging branch of NARHA was further established to bring Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy to individuals with psycho-social and mental health issues, including but not limited to anxiety disorders, mood disorders, behavioral difficulties, Attention Deficit Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Depression and Autism. 

 What is the difference between therapeutic riding and hippotherapy?

Therapeutic riding is taught by a certified therapeutic riding instructor who may sometimes work with a therapist (speech & language, physical, psycho) for the purposes of treatment planning.

Hippotherapy is taught by a physical therapist that is also certified as a Hippotherapist. 

 Who benefits from therapeutic Riding?

Many people benefit from riding a horse in many different ways.  Emotionally, working with and being in relation to a 1000 pound prey animal improves sensory awareness, sense of self, self-esteem, confidence, and trust. Cognitively, riding improves problem-solving skills, sequencing ability, language skills, perceptual skills and fine motor coordination.  Physically, riding increases core strength, balance, posture, trunk control and range of motion. Research shows that the gait of a horse walking most closely resembles that of a person walking. By riding a horse, riders are able to strengthen and tone core muscles simply by sitting on a walking horse.   Riders on the Autism Spectrum often experience a calming groundedness by riding.  The movement of the walking horse stimulates the central nervous system, which many riders find soothing.   

What does a lesson look like?

Lessons are designed according to the abilities of the rider.  Many riders assist in grooming, saddling, and leading their horse to the ring, while some just come for the ride. We have a mounting block as well as a mounting ramp to help riders who use a wheelchair. Riders learn to mount and dismount using safety precautions at all times.  They learn to ask the horse to walk and trot using both their voice and their bodies. Whatever the goal, we ensure that each rider has the assistance they need for success. 

  How are the instructors trained?

The North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) is a national non-profit organization that promotes the benefits of the horse for individuals with physical, emotional, and learning disabilities.  Sarah Rury is an advanced NARHA Certified instructor trained at HorsePower in Temple, NH.  Erika Heilig is apprenticing under Sarah Rury and pursuing her certification in the summer of 2008.

 How are the volunteers trained?

Volunteers attend a two hour training at the farm with the instructor.  Volunteers are taught methodologies and standards as identified by NARHA. Some riders require up to three volunteers to ensure safety.  If you are interested in volunteering, please contact us. Volunteers are expected to make a commitment of at least 1 hour a week, for 8-10 weeks to ensure consistency for the rider.

 How much does a lesson cost?

The actual cost of a lesson would be prohibitive for most people due to the overhead cost of running the facility.  Currently our lessons run at about a 1/3 of the actual cost, ranging from $35-$65, depending on the length of time, needs of the rider, and financial ability to pay.  We are working to offer discounts/scholarships for financial hardship in the future.  Please call to inquire. Our ability to demonstrate need to potential funders helps to secure that funding.

 How old does a rider have to be?

Currently our youngest rider at the farm is three.  We have two smaller ponies for youngsters under 48” tall.  (This is not to imply that you can only ride a pony if you’re under 48” tall).

 Do insurance companies cover therapeutic riding?

It's up to the individual insurance company, of course, but as a general rule, therapeutic riding is not covered by insurance in the United States at this time. Neither is Hippotherapy, but a licensed therapist may be able to bill for it as a regular therapy session. NARHA also offers a guide to billing insurance for hippotherapy.

 Does the rider have to wear any special shoes or a helmet?

Whenever possible, riders should where some sort of heavier boot .  Sneakers are not prohibited, but should be avoided whenever possible. Also, there tends to be manure and mud at the farm, so shoes that can get dirty would be best.

All riders wear ASTM/SEI approved riding helmets for all equestrian activities.  We have helmets for riders who do not their own.

  Can I observe the lesson?

Families may observe the lesson from the viewing area, as long as siblings are well-supervised by the family. You are welcome to bring others to watch your child's lessons. All who observe the program are asked to follow posted rules. Please contact us if you have any questions regarding confidentiality.

 Can we bring friends and family?

For everyone's safety, all children must be supervised in appropriate waiting areas at all times. If your assistance is required in the treatment session and you have brought other children, it is your responsibility to provide alternative supervision for them. 

 Can we feed the horses?

For everyone's safety, please do no hand feed the horses unless you have been given explicit permission to do so.  Horses can easily forget that fingers are not carrots.  There is a correct way to feed horses.  Additionally, while only one treat from you isn't much, another treat from the following three riders can give him/her a belly ache.  Thank you.