Fall – Winter 2007-2008 Newsletter

The session of Class #2 and of Class # 3 were ones that were very enjoyable as far as the weather was concerned. There were some warm days, but for the most part the temps were very tolerable. Riders, horses, volunteers and instructors were very appreciative of them. There has been some very hot fall sessions over the past several years. Only on one occasion this fall did it rain on a Sunday. Unlike this spring, when several rainy weekends, along with some threatening weather, that made changes in the schedules a time or two. However, being able to use the gold barn and the indoor arena, thanks to the Washington Co. Fair Board, keeps all dry and riding sessions are able to be conducted even if it’s raining outside.

Speaking of the Fair, July 29^th was the Washington County Fair’s Open Horse Show and Independence Farms was there. Scheduled to participate were three riders in the therapeutic riding class and two riders in the halter class. Two riders weren’t able to make it at the last minute, so only one of our riders participated. Last minute adjustments were made to accommodate the changes, we’re real accustomed to adjusting at the last minute and the one rider that participated had a wonderful time. His skills were challenged by the therapeutic riding obstacle course. He completed the course and won a set of reins. He had acquired his own cheering section in the crowd also. He’s now learning to use those reins and to clip them on and off the halter. Last year two of our riders participated and received lead ropes which they learned to use them this year also. Besides having lots of fun that day, it was really HOT too, typical for most horse shows.

Independence Farms participated in both the Hanover Day’s of 49 parade and the Washington Co. Fair Parade. Our float featured our lightweight portable ramp. On the ramp was an empty wheelchair with a sign on it that said “Gone Riding”. We were all decked out in red, white and blue. Applause was given to us by all who were familiar with our mission. See the photo page for pictures covering this event. A couple of high school volunteers rode the float. They waved at the crowds as we passed by and saw several of our riders in the crowds.

Weather and conditions permitting, several of our riders venture outside occasionally for short trail rides. The reasons we go outside are numerous. The horse’s gait changes, lengthening its stride and the rider must adjust their balance to that, making them work harder or differently, building up endurance and strengthening different muscles groups. By going outside, the riders experiences a change in visual pictures and how their eyes focus on objects, allowing them not to only focus close but also afar. Having the wind blew in one’s hair or mane and having the sun on your face wakes you up and revives you. Let’s admit it we all, horses included enjoy being out on a nice day.

Some of our riders have progress enough that consideration is being given to participating in local horse shows. And where as most horse show activities are outside, we need to adjust and practice so everyone will be ready when the opportunity presents itself. Our riders in the Horsemanship classes have accomplished so much these last few months, they have learned how to do some basic items for themselves, such as leading, reining and starting and stopping their horses on their own. It was nothing but exhilarating the first couple of times the riders accomplished theses tasks. A big thank you goes out to all the volunteers who helped make this possible. Volunteers have had to learn too, when to help and when to stay quite. When one is watching from the side lines it’s pretty obvious that if everyone in the arena has a smile on their face - side walkers, instructors, horse leaders - then something has been achieved even if you didn’t see it.

In the case of leading their horses, it has been a challenge for some to even look at the horse and to be on the same level as the horse - basically being face to face with the horse. But the gains have come slowly, but never the less progress has been made. Advancement has been made to walking along beside the horse and being vocally commanding enough to tell the horse to “whoa” and talking to the horse to get them to go. Visually looking in the eye of the horse can still be challenging for some, but periodically we see a rider steal a small look at the horse.

Reining has been another issue several of our riders have gained a better handle on. They have learned their left turns from their right turns; they have learned when to turn their horse to avoid coming up against the fence and then having to ask the horse to “back” or to get the horse to go around the barrel or to come up to the ring stand. “Backing” has become quite comfortable for a few of our riders.

One rider is advancing to riding about 15 minutes a session independently. Bob, his mount would normally watch the lead walker for cues as to when to move or stop. The rider however has learned to communicate verbally and with his reins to stop Bob, and reining Bob around the arena had become quite easy for him. The rider was able to get Bob to go anywhere he wanted him to. Getting Bob, to go or to walk off on his own was a tough challenge for the rider though. He would bounce instead of squeeze his legs and Bob would just stand patiently, waiting. The rider concentrated hard on what we were trying to tell him and kept trying to squeeze his heels into Bob’s side instead of bouncing his legs against him. It didn’t take long and the rider figured it out and Bob walked off. A face of glee and triumph followed. The rider had to constantly work at doing the squeezing right, but when the rider did it right Bob moved, when he didn’t do it right Bob stayed put. Bob turned out to be a great teaching tool himself.

Those of our riders in wheelchairs have been working on leading their horses also. The paved area outside the east barn makes that quite easy for them to do. They probably never thought they’d be doing something like this from their chairs, but they are doing it, all smiles while they’re doing it and the horses are following quietly. Those of us at Independence Farms on a regular basis are still amazed at how a horse knows when a particular rider has arrived. They, the horse let us know with a welcoming whinny.

The gold barn has been closed up since November and all equipment has been put stored away for the winter. All volunteers and instructors and horses are getting a couple of months off. Scheduled was a “Fun” Horse Show in October, but due to extremely muddy arena issue, it had to be cancelled. It will most likely be rescheduled for the spring of 2008 before class begins. Watch web site and the local news paper for future details. Thanks to all those businesses who donated prizes for the horse show. January and February is a time of planning, checking calendars and education for our staff. April won’t be far behind that and that’s usually when we start getting ready again. If you are interested in becoming a rider, start now. There is some paper work, etc. that needs to be done and then we can get you worked into the schedule right away verses after the schedule has been made. Independence Farms fortunately is blessed with many good volunteers, young and old alike, but they do come to us from a variety of places and have other activities they need to participate in also. We do try to schedule sessions to accommodate their time and travel as much as we can.

We couldn’t do what we do, share of love of horses and riding and better someone’s life without their help. We appreciate tremendously their commitment and time to us. Independence Farms has also caught the attention of volunteers too young to help during sessions in the arena, but they have become our legs, to run get needed items and come early and stay to help groom horses and learn, always ready with the bucket to clean up any “mess” that may occur in the arena. Our hats off to all our volunteers, to us you all are “priceless”.

The following information is from an article by NARHA CEO Carol Nickell, in the January 2008 NARHA newsletter. In the US, residents’ involvement is what makes the nonprofit sector work. American history is a story of people banding together to make a difference. Hector Ericksen-Mendoza and Aaron Heffron give us the following statistics.

More than 80% of non-profit organizations in the US rely on volunteers. More than half use volunteers on a weekly basis. Volunteers do about a third of the work of all non-profit organizations. If all volunteers were paid employees, their work would cost non-profits over $200 billion per year. Half of the US adult population (49%) volunteers and about 60% of American teenagers volunteer.

How does an organization tap into such help? By asking. Most volunteers do so because someone asked them to participate. Almost nine out of ten people say "yes" when someone asks them to donate their time. We’re asking. Come help us spread smiles across the faces of people who’d like to ride but without this kind of help would not otherwise have the opportunity. You don’t have to be a horse lover to help but it does help. Just wanting to help someone else is a big plus.