HAPPY TRAILS HORSE CAMP
• Contact: BRIDGET BOGAN / ROCHELLE KNOTTS
• Phone: 806-355-4773
• E-mail: 7startherapeuticriding@gmail.com
• Location: Holland Farms, 694 US 287, Claude
• Dates/times: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 6-10, June 20-24, July 11-15 and July 25-29
• Ages: 6-17
• Cost: $200
• Happy Trails Horse Camp utilizes our NARHA-certified instructors to teach children horsemanship skills such as grooming, riding and care of horses, as well as horse conformation, breeds, colors and first aid/safety. This hands-on camp allows children to ride as well as learn important steps in horse care. The camp is open to children with or without disabilities. At the end of each session, campers can demonstrate what they have learned throughout the week in a horse show designed for parents, friends and relatives. Based on response, we will reserve one camp specifically for children with parents that served in Iraq or Afghanistan.
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Thinking 'Outside the Box'
One down and two to go! Well, this won't work Brigitta restrains Gwen
Volunteer and Board Member Training
One person could move outside the line at a time, and the rest were required to stay between two buckets. The object was to move each of three horses, which were loose in the arena, into the ‘pockets’ of a simulated pool table. Participants could not touch the horses, ‘bribe’ the horses with treats, or talk among themselves in the ‘bucket line.’ The one participant moving outside the line was allowed to talk.
The volunteers and board members who took part in the training decided this exercise increased their level of cooperation and understanding of each person’s strengths as they worked together to accomplish the goal.
7 Star offers this exercise and others to businesses and organizations as a team building program.
Volunteers also spent time riding the therapy horses, to learn how it feels for the clients who ride on bareback pads, sometimes even sideways or backwards. Volunteers who help during training sessions either lead the horse or are ‘sidewalkers’ who are on hand to steady the client if he or she loses his or her balance. Volunteers are also trained to help clients mount horses from the wheelchair ramp, and aid clients in dismounting. To prepare for any situation, volunteers are also taught to perform emergency dismounts designed to protect the client and the other volunteers.
In addition to offering therapy to physically and mentally challenged individuals, 7 Star now works with veterans experiencing post traumatic stress disorder and other combat related injuries.
7 Star Therapeutic Riding Center is a nonprofit organization providing equine assisted therapy to physically and mentally challenged individuals. The highly trained instructors are certified through NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association.)
For more information on team building, volunteering, psychotherapy or therapeutic riding contact Executive Director Faith Elliott at 806-355-4773 or 7startherapeuticriding@gmail.com.
Tim Jobe and Bettina Schultz of Natural Lifemanship with Mo Bettina with Mo
7 Star Therapeutic Riding Center
Personnel Receive Lifemanship Training
7 Star Therapeutic Riding Center utilizes NARHA certified riding instructors to teach clients with developmental, psychological or physical disabilities horseback riding and horsemanship skills. 7 Star NARHA certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor Brigitta Bogan, organization president and Licensed Professional Counselor Gwen Murphy and Executive Director and NARHA certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor Faith Elliott recently received certification in Natural Lifemanship Training. Natural Lifemanship Training is a therapeutic intervention utilizing horses and sound principles of equine psychology to repair and enhance life’s relationships.
In addition to work with clients with mental and physical disabilities, the Natural Lifemanship training will help 7 Star Therapeutic Riding Center in their work with veterans dealing with issues ranging from physical injuries to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Individuals dealing with mental health issues develop problems relating to other people. They may have formed relationship patterns to deal with their adverse circumstances , but these patterns don’t work well in daily life. By seeing how horses respond to them, clients see how their actions can also create positive or negative reactions in people.
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2010 Fun Day
On August 14, 2010 7 Star hosted our first annual Fun Day at Holland Farms.
The main purpose of the Fun Day was, of course, to have fun. It also gave our clients an opportunity to display skills learned throughout the year to friends and family. Board members, clients and friends of 7 Star invited guests from the area to come and see our horses and clients interacting in a relaxed situation.
In addition to the equestrian events, there were activities such as a blow-up jumper provided by AQHA, face painting by Sierra, food and refreshments courtesy of Tyson, United and Ben E Keith.
Other stations included a blowup water slide, apple bobbing, bean bag toss, horseshoe decorating and entertainment by Gray County Line and Cowboy Poetry from Amarillo.
Children from the community were invited to participate in the stick horse competition, an event which brought joy to contestants and spectators alike.
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