Frequently Asked Questions
What does inclusive mean?
This means that everyone, of all abilities, ages, backgrounds, and walks of life, are welcome. Group activities, such as group riding and vaulting lessons and volunteer teams, are structured based on participants’ experience and goals, not based on disability or diagnosis.
For example, a group riding class may include a typically abled child, a child with a cognitive diagnosis, and a child whose family receives Financial Assistance. Each child receives quality instruction in a manner appropriate and effective for them, they benefit from interaction with peers who have different life experiences, and they all get to be part of a welcoming community that celebrates them for who they are.
Why use a horse?
Horses provide a variety of enhancements to therapeutic environments. When astride a moving horse, the motion of the horse’s gait moves the rider’s body in a way that closely mimics the movement of walking. This is beneficial for individuals with physical disabilities, especially mobility impairments. The sensation of being on a living animal who responds to their environment in real time also provides a wealth of sensory information that could not be replicated in an office environment. Additionally, horses are herd animals with highly developed social behaviors. They seek out engagement and relationships with others and utilize non-verbal communication to express themselves. Many individuals who struggle with social situations or communication find solace in spending time with an animal that does not judge them or even require them to speak.
How do I get started?
First, we recommend reading about our different programs on our Services page. Once you know which program you would like to be in, fill out the registration form for that program. If you want to register for more than one program, be sure to fill out the registration forms for each program you are interested in. Once there is an opening that fits your availability, someone from that program will reach out to you to begin the evaluation and placement process!
How are classes scheduled?
We schedule our Equestrian Sports (Riding and Vaulting) on a quarterly basis, using the Beaverton School District’s schedule as a guide. Quarters, also called terms, are usually between 10 and 13 weeks long. Clinical Services (Rehabilitation Services and Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy) schedule on a rolling basis but observe the same holidays and quarter breaks. Sessions are scheduled Monday through Saturday.
How do I know which program is right for me?
We encourage you to take some time to peruse our program descriptions and see what seems most interesting to you! The main goal of our Equestrian Sports is skill development in a discipline; for our Clinical Services, it is improvement of physical, mental, or emotional function; and for our Personal Development programs it is overall skill development and learning. However, all of our programs also provide the opportunity to improve confidence, fitness, communication, and to be part of a vibrant and welcoming community.
How do you keep session fees affordable?
We are a non-profit organization which means that a significant portion of our yearly budget is raised through donations. Our programs cost a lot to run, and it would be a hardship on our clients to charge the true cost for each of our program sessions. The donated funding we receive (which adds up to almost half of our $1 million dollar budget!) allows us to keep our session fees at a reasonable level and continue to run our business!
Want to help us keep session fees low? Donate here!