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The minimum age for becoming a Strides participant is 3 years. Prior to this age, there is some evidence that micro-fractures can occur from the repetative motion of riding. In addition, children under this age rarely fit into a safety riding helmet. There is no maximum age for participating in our program. For the well-being of our horses, we have a weight limit of 175 lbs. This may change if we get a horse that can carry a heavier rider. We accept riders with all disabilities, providing that NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicap Association) does not list the disability as a contraindication to riding, and a doctor signs a release indicating that, in his or her opinion, riding would be indicated for this person. An initial evaluation by one of our certified instructors is required before anyone is accepted into our program.
After the initial evaluation, goals are set for
the rider for the current quarter. These may include physical, cognitive
and/or behavioral goals. They may also include riding skills and competition
goals. An appropriate method of mounting and dismounting are described
and put in the rider's chart, along with the evaluation results. Suggestions
for appropriate horses and tack are also included. This information
is then used by our instructors to design lesson plans and objectives for
each lesson. At the end of the quarter, the rider is reassessed to
see if the goals have been met, and to set new goals for the next quarter.
What is a typical lesson like?
There are no "typical" lessons. Lessons are designed with the individual
rider's goals and needs in mind. Individual lessons are 1/2 hour long,
and usually include stretches and warm-up exercises, activities designed to
reinforce and meet the goals and objectives, games that reinforce the day's
lessons, and there may be homework assigned as well. As the rider
advances, ground skills such as grooming and tacking may be added to the
lesson or incorporated on rainy or windy days instead of riding. Group
lessons are 1 hour and always include ground skills as well as the activities
described above. For riders who are too small to groom and saddle a
horse, are in wheelchairs or walkers, or have poor balance, we have a miniature
horse who is just the right size for learning grooming and saddling, and even
walking and lunging a horse.
We have classes on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, all year round. During the school year our classes are in the afternoons. To avoid the summer heat, we switch to morning classes once school is out for the summer. Strides operates on a quarter system, with 12 weeks of classes, followed by one week off to retrain our horses and volunteers and to write new goals for each rider for the next quarter.
We offer a number of special programs in addition to our regular ones
described above. We have a summer day camp for our riders offered in
1-week sessions. We attend horse shows at least twice a year, once at
our ranch and once elsewhere. There is a sibling program, where able-bodied
siblings may ride on a space-available basis. Siblings over the age
of 13 may also volunteer. As our riders improve their skills, many
of them become volunteers as well. We also offer a Work-to Ride program
of Equine Assisted Learning for abused teens. Each month we put out
a Rider Newsletter, with games, information and activities for our riders.
This is sent by e-mail, so you must have an e-mail address to receive
it.
From the Horse's Mouth Stories in their own words
by riders and volunteers.
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P.O. Box 572455 Tarzana, CA 91357-2455 (818) 341-4737 |
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