RIDEABILITY
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Mission Statement
RideAbility Mission Statement: Serving children and adults with disabilities; Through horseback riding and related activities. We create an environment of fun and therapy. We encourage family involvement. (enhancing physical, emotional, spiritual and mental health) Where everyone is able!
About This Cause
Therapeutic & Recreational Horseback Riding Horseback riding is a uniquely beneficial form of physical therapy for individuals with physical needs. A horse’s gait is similar to the human walk. The gentle rocking motion can help to strengthen spine and pelvic muscles, improve balance, posture & coordination. In addition to the physical benefits horseback riding can give an individual the feeling of control that promotes a sense of accomplishment and self -confidence. Individuals with mental and emotional disabilities not only benefit from the physical exercise but also develop the discipline and concentration required to learn riding skills. The special bond they develop with the horse and team members helps to encourage positive attitudes and pave the way for improvements in overall life skills for young and old alike. RideAbility began in 1997 as a Minnesota 4H project with the goal of providing therapeutic horseback riding to children with special needs and their siblings. RideAbility grew to include adult students in 1999. Non-profit incorporation was completed in 2000. The program has grown so that RideAbility continues to serve well over 100 students every year! Classes are held at Promised Meadows farm near Pine Island, MN and are run by certified instructors. The spring&fall sessions focus on adults, while the two summer sessions focus on children and families. A session includes an evaluation lesson and 4 riding lessons, each being about one hour in length. (We also offer private lessons and community group visits.) Our students are all invited to ride at a Barn Event each month in the summer and our Student Horse Show. Parents and other caregivers are encouraged to volunteer as sidewalkers. Family involvement is a very important part of RideAbility. We are always thrilled when a parent is in the arena with their child, and the child accomplishes something miraculous (like following directions or saying a new word). This brings new hope to families, and they take it all home! Incredible Personal Benefits! - Exercise and stretch muscles - Build muscle tone and strength - Improve balance and coordination - Improve concentration & attention span - Build self-confidence for life skills - Make friends, improve social skills - Increase language (more words!) - Learn horsemanship skills&knowledge Plus: Fun for students&volunteers! Creates Smiles! Incredible Community Benefits! RideAbility is a family-focused program where everyone is appreciated and loved. Clients&caregivers are part of the team, developing therapy goals for each rider. RideAbility’s inclusive sports therapy allows riders with severe physical problems to be included in activities with riders who have no diagnosis, they may be family or friends. A great environment! RideAbility makes the community aware of the special needs of many people. RideAbility’s Vision: To provide the best possible therapeutic, educational and recreational year-round equine activity program for persons with disabilities and their families, by embracing opportunities (now and in the future): - A well functioning facility, included training and therapy rooms and an office (plus!). - Multiple site offerings (using whatever facilities are offered to us). - Working with other programs to create the best community offerings (Ironwood Springs, Rochester Park and Rec, PossAbilities, ArSys, Hiawatha Homes, Cardinal of MN, Ability Building Center, We Can Ride, other programs as they start up and PATH Intl.) - Growth and improvements in class offerings: - Registered Group lessons - Privately scheduled lessons - Community group offerings of One-Time-Fun-Time visits - Creative and Educational additions to all offerings: - Ground program (including showmanship, horse science, spirit painting, grooming and more ) - Sensory trail - Vaulting and other ideas incorporated to offer creative lessons - Rainbow Curriculum (goal oriented classes incorporated into our 5 week curriculum) - Driving program training and certifications How Can You Help ? Volunteer!!! RideAbility is a volunteer- intensive organization. Volunteers include parents, sidewalkers, horse-owners, class assistants, riding instructors, physical therapists, board members, fundraisers, committee members and more. No experience is necessary to volunteer and training sessions are available. Opportunities are endless – and your time and talents are what shape our program! Donate!!! -Horseback riding equipment (new/used) -Trophies and Ribbons -Office supplies -Gifts & awards for clients & volunteers -Financial contributions -Silent Auction items or gift cards -Volunteered horses are needed! Financially Support!!! RideAbility is funded through class fees, membership dues, silent auctions, family- fun barn dance, pony-ride fundraisers and other fun/fundraiser events, corporate contributions, community donations, private donations and United Way. RideAbility services are available to all people regardless of race, religion, age, gender, disability or sexual orientation. RideAbility History and Background: Program history and philosophy: RideAbility began in 1997, founded by Ellen Newman, Mary Lubahn and Lynne McCutcheon. Mary had given birth to a daughter with a disability and was afraid she would never get to take her daughter horse back camping or share the enjoyment of horses with her daughter. Mary, her neighbor (Ellen) and her daughter’s pediatric physical therapist (Lynne) decided to research therapeutic riding. The first year was financed by a grant from the Minnesota 4-H Foundation and the volunteers were members of the Roscoe Rockets Minnesota 4H Club. Their Community Pride Project won a State Fair trip!!! RideAbility was recognized for providing therapeutic recreation for children with disabilities and also for: (1) emphasizing mental health rewards of interacting with peers (with and without special needs) (2) including parents as active program participants and (3) providing a support network for the parents with common life difficulties. The program grew from three riders on a warm night in June 1997 to more than eight riders with disabilities by the end of the summer. Ellen, Mary and Lynne set-up and ran the program for 5 years and finished incorporating it as non-profit, setting up a board of directors, gaining United Way funding and completing processes and forms, etc. as suggested by PATH Intl. ( previously NARHA - North American Riding for the Handicapped Association). Jim and Jeanie Michelizzi volunteered to host RideAbility at their farm. In 2001, Jeanie became the volunteer executive director and program director. We are very family centered, inspired by the original idea of providing horse back riding for children with disabilities and their siblings. This implementation of inclusion is quite unique for a therapeutic riding center. RideAbility received an award for inclusion in 1999, presented by Arc SE MN. We also provide events each year for the whole family, including: - Annual luncheon with silent auction - Barn Dance fundraiser (w/riding time for children and young at heart) - Red/White&Blue Open House at the Barn (with Equine Activities available) - Mile Ribbon Ride at the Barn (w/extended horseback riding time for the students) - Student Horse Show (where students and their family and friends ride&show the horses) We encourage families and volunteers to help with these summer events at the barn, or with the Olmsted country fair or other events during the summer months. After more than 20 years of RideAbility, Mary Lubahn’s daughter learned to ride independently, owned 3 of her own horses, and (YES!) went horse back camping with her mother. She keeps her current horse (Savannah) at RideAbility and joins us at Horse Care and Exercise times. We view our students as our main clients, and our volunteers as secondary clients who also need an enjoyable and therapeutic environment! Let’s have fun with our kids!