Director Jud's Blog

SMA Teen Horseback Riding Summer Camp: Dulles Town Center Fair

Posted by Jud Millar

Sun, Feb 23, 2014

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Topics: Horseback riding camp northeast, riding summer camp, Riding Camp, camp fair, Dulles Town Center

Pam and Biff Launch a New Website for their Horseback Riding Program!!

Posted by Jud Millar

Wed, Nov 6, 2013

Pam and Biff have created a new web site for Therapeutic Horseback Riding Program called Horsepower!

 

www.HorsepowerFarm.org

Therapeutic Horsemanship

In 1980 Pam Hayes-Houldin, in conjunction with PRIDE (then Easter Seals) and the local community, started Huntingdon’s first equine assisted therapeutic program to help clients with many types of disabilities.  Over the past 30 years hundreds of riders have participated in and have been helped at Horsepower Farm through the widely acknowledged benefits of equine activities.

WHAT IS EQUINE ASSISTED THERAPEUTICS OR THERAPEUTIC RIDING?

The horse is used to help meet the physical, mental, social and emotional needs of riders with disabilities through the teaching of horsemanship skills.  This may include, according to a riders’ ability: handling, grooming, tacking, riding, and developmental vaulting.   Activities exercise both “mind and muscle” and can help improve

  • mobility
  • balance
  • posture
  • muscle strength
  • coordination
  • learning
  • language development
  • concentration
  • social interaction
  • behavior control
  • self confidence and esteem

Therapeutic riding has many positive benefits including interaction and connection with horses, volunteers, other riders and the instructor. These experiences hopefully will enrich and have an impact on all aspects of the riders’ life.

IS EQUINE ASSISTED THERAPEUTICS SAFE?

 

All of the horses at Horsepower Farm are especially trained to work with riders with special needs. The horses used in the program must meet very strict behavior and movement criteria, having both sound mind and body. Additionally, as needed,  each rider will have trained volunteers as a leader and side-walker. But as a student progresses, we encourage independence and hope to empower them with the ability to ride alone safely. In order to participate in the Horsepower Program and to help personalize goals, all riders must be referred by and have forms completed by parents, school teacher, Physician, Physical, Occupational, or Speech Therapist, and/or Social Worker.

WHAT ARE THE CREDENTIALS OF THE INSTRUCTOR?

Pam Hayes-Houldin was raised on a horse and dairy farm and has been working with horses her entire life. As an instructor, she became very interested in therapeutic riding and decided to pursue that field.

Pam trained at The Cheff Center for Riding for the Handicapped in Augusta, Michigan and then became qualified as a Master Instructor through the Pennsylvania Council on Therapeutic Horsemanship (www.pacth.org) and the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (www.pathintl@pathintl.org). Pam has been involved with the Pennsylvania Council for many years, is currently the President of the Board of Directors and  is on the faculty for the Instructor Training Courses. She also received an Honorary Doctorate Degree from  Wilson College, Chambersburg, PA for her work in therapeutic riding.  When she is not teaching, she continues her own education and broadens her knowledge by attending varied seminars and clinics around the country.

HUNTINGDON COUNTY PRIDE

Huntingdon County PRIDE (www.huntingdonpride.org), which has many programs for those with special needs,  continues as the support organization for the Horsepower Program and is instrumental in the success of our therapeutic riding activities. For those interested in taking part in Horsepower’s equine assisted therapeutics program, you may contact Pam Hayes-Houldin directly, or the Huntingdon PRIDE office.

Pam Hayes-Houldin 
9794 Old Hawn Rd.
Huntingdon, PA 16652
814 667 2497
Email: phayeshouldin@earthlink.net

PRIDE office
1301 Mt Vernon Avenue
Huntingdon, Pa 16652
814-643-5724
E-mail: sbair@huntingdonpride.org

 
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Topics: Teen Horseback Riding Summer Camp, Horseback riding camp northeast, riding summer camp

Fall Barn and Horsemasters Update

Posted by Jud Millar

Thu, Nov 1, 2012

   Happy Holidays to Horsemasters and Non-Horsemasters alike!  Chilly weather is in the air at the farm, and all of the horses are bundled up in their blankets in preparation for the colder weather. While the snow hasn't started falling quite yet, there has been plenty of ice in the water buckets in the mornings, and the horses are feeling frisky with the cold wind blowing!

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Topics: Horseback riding camp northeast

Read Update about Pam's Early Spring Horseback Riding Summer Teen Camp

Posted by Jud Millar

Mon, Mar 19, 2012

To all of you Horsemaster’s and non-Horsemaster’s alike…Spring seemingly is here! The grass is growing, the trees are budding, the flowers are blooming and the horses are crazy frisky. A little bit of warm wind blowing sends their tails into the air and we hear happy snorts and squeals from the far corners of the pastures!

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Topics: Teen Horseback Riding Summer Camp, Horseback riding camp northeast, Riding Camp

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This blog will give you the "411" about everything that is Stone Mountain Adventures Teen Summer Camp!  Everything from "Summer Updates" to useful family and camp resources.  Check it out! 

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