Home

Welcome to Horse Connections

at Rockin' Horse Farm

Benefits of Equine Assisted Activities
Establishing a bond with a magnificent creature, such as the horse, elicits feelings of hope and acceptance. Whether spending time with a pony or a full sized horse, you can't help but to feel like you are in the presence of a special being. The farm environment is relaxed, yet seems to stimulate the student's ability to focus and grow. We see improvements in our students, ranging from speech development and improved verbal and communication skills, to the physical benefits of improved strength, stamina, balance, coordination and even fine motor skills. There are emotional rewards that benefit our students as well, such as confidence building and relationship building. The door for relationships is often opened by a bond forming with the animals and then with our human volunteers and staff.

A Connection With Horses Through Riding
Horse Connections' Therapeutic Riding Lessons are held on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and on Saturdays. We provide weekly therapeutic activities to children and adults with a variety of disabilities. Some of the disabilities include amputations, autism, cerebral palsy, Downs syndrome, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida, stroke, traumatic brain injury, learning disabilities, and hearing and visual impairments.Our lessons incorporate riding time with a major focus on time for each student to bond with the horses through grooming and petting. We have a horse walker, and side walkers available for each rider as needed. Our instructor will develop a lesson plan for the class. We can accommodate small groups of up to 4 students at a time, giving each student time alone with “their” horse. The charge is $250 per person per quarter, and we assist with finding sponsorships based upon need. We are pleased to offer this therapy riding program and to see the difference it is making in our student's lives!

There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.

~Winston Churchill.

* First name (required):

* Last name (required):
* E-mail address (required):

Phone number:
* Message (required):

I want to receive newsletters, updates, and special offers

Our November 2011 Poker Run Fundraiser was a huge success!!!

Thanks Suzy for organizing these great fundraisers!

We have our 501 (c) 3 non-profit status from the IRS!

All of your donations are TAX DEDUCTIBLE as provided by law.

Dear Amy and Annette,

I can not Thank You enough for the introduction to Ms. Walsh. Angie has shown her book to everyone in our family plus our neighbors. My sister-in-law in Indiana owns quarter horses. We may send her a book.

You have the most wonderful and relaxing environment. This has helped our daughter to greatly improve her mental health.

Sincerely,

Ken and Diana Hartman

Check out Mary's book at:

http://www.shamracehorse.com/Home_Page.php

Click here to meet our wonderful HORSES!

"Dear Amy, staff and volunteers,

I can't even express to you the level of fun that my whole family had in experiencing Horse Camp this past week!!!!!! This was truly the highlight of our summer. I saw the twins make connections that I had never seen before with their language, with empathy and concern for the animals, socially- with new friends and buddies, and with accepting alternatives to what they had become comfortable with as the routine. Those are all HUGE accomplishments and if that is what can happen in a week, I can't imagine what could happen in a season. We fully intend to find out, though. Please expect to see us back in the fall for lessons. Particularly for Emanuel and we'll see about Madelyn.

Thank for all your hard work and warm inviting atmosphere. You made it feel like it was OK to be ourselves, quirks and all. That is the kind of place environment where real learning can take place.

We loved it all!!

Fondly.

Elizabeth Wilson and family"

Our Amazing Horses and Students

Horse Connections' Horsemanship and Riding Classes:

Sponsorship Donation page

Thank You!!!

Horse Connections' Field Trips:

Please contact us for a price quote, we can customize a field trip for your special needs group. Activities can include farm tour, grooming ponies/horses, pony dress up and decorating, hay rides, and possibly even riding.

Evan is an avid Star Wars fan. When the afternoon at the farm is over and Evan has enjoyed his ride, he often comes and finds Ms. Amy and waits for us to send him off by asking for "your line please", as if he were George Lucas directing a Star Wars film, and we are asked to respond with a hearty "may the horse be with you!", to which Evan responds "and with you as well".

So from all of us at Horse Connections to all of you, our fans and supporters, we say...

MAY THE HORSE BE WITH YOU!!!

We were in the news - check it out here!!!

"The Horse Connection Program at Rockin' Horse Farm has made a dramatic difference in my son, Jason's life. Jason had no attachment to people or animals. He was not interested in anything and he has trouble concentrating. We were lucky enough to have gotten a scholarship to Horse Connection about a year ago and ever since Jason started taking lessons and volunteer at the farm, he can't stay away. He looks forward every week to see Miss. Amy and of course his favorite girl, Kashi. Kashi is a beautiful grey and white horse that Jason loves. I can't say enough about the Horse Connection Program it is the best program out there and it has helped Jason tremendously."

-Laura Sullivan

Please click here to open and print a flyer about our program to share with others!

Therapeutic Horsemanship and Riding

HC Flyer.docx

According to the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association "Because horseback riding gently and rhythmically moves the rider's body in a manner similar to a human gait, riders with physical disabilities often show improvement in flexibility, balance and muscle strength." "For individuals with mental or emotional disabilities, the unique relationship formed with the horse can lead to increased confidence, patience and self-esteem."

www.path.org

Glossary of Terms

Therapeutic Riding Lessons - Considered a sport, a trained team of horse and volunteers under the guidance of the Instructor take the rider through a planned lesson

Hippotherapy - A therapy session using a horse (hippo is Greek for horse) where the client is under the direction of their therapist (physical, occupational, speech, etc.) and the Instructor and volunteers act as the support team

Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy - A mental health therapy session where the client is under the direction of their mental health practitioner and the Instructor and volunteers act as the support team

No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle. ~Winston Churchill

Horse Connections, Inc.

Facilitating the magic of the horse-human connection.