Eagle Mount

 

North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA)

 

Equestrian Program - NARHA Premier Accredited Riding Center

The equestrian program became a part of Eagle Mount the summer of 1992. The program was primarily a recreational program with therapeutic goals. Since then, the size and scope of the program has dramatically increased to many different parts - therapeutic riding (Hippotherapy), advanced riding, horse camps, and The Wrangler Program. The Eagle Mount Riding Center became a NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association) Premier Accredited Center in September of 2004.

The recreational riding programs focus primarily on teaching individuals with disabilities to ride a horse safely. This riding helps the individual with disabilities by improving balance, posture and coordination and helps the person psychologically by improving their self-confidence and motivation. The participant is able to experience the sensation of being high above others, independent and mobile. Educational goals of sequencing and color identification are also met for those participants who have difficulty with these areas. Advanced riding is for participants who have developed a more secure seat, and who are able to perform more difficult maneuvers. Newcommers participate in an "Intro to Horses" class as a form of evaluation and introduction to our horsemanship programs before being placed in a specific riding class. The Eagle Mount also offers horse camps that are a week long.

Horses have become one of our most valued tools in assisting individuals with disabilities. Hippotherapy is literally defined as "treatment with the help of the horse" from the Greek word hippos, meaning horse. Hippotherapy is carried out by a physical or occupational therapist, working with a riding instructor and a specially trained horse. The rider's role is not to control or influence the horse, but to respond by accommodating to the horse's movement. The simple movement of a walking horse's back duplicates the 'normal' pelvis movements made by a person while walking. The gentle rotation of the rider's pelvis, back, and shoulder girdle is therapeutic as it tones muscles and exercises joints. Activities such as touching the moving horse, varying sitting positions, and performing exercises, all accomplish goals of postural control and sensory integration. Many therapists believe that they can get results with a horse that no other piece of equipment can offer.

The Wranglers Program serves individuals (young and old) who are unable to learn to ride independently or cannot get on a horse. Our wranglers come out and groom the horses and learn to take care of them as well as riding (if capable). Many of our seniors, nursing homes, and group homes are taking advantage of the Wrangler program and love it!

The location of our riding arena is:
    4792 13th Street South
    Great Falls, Montana  59405
    (406) 771-4829

Driving directions: From the corner of 10th Avenue South and 13th Street South go south on 13th Street (next to the Holiday Village Mall).  Travel 2.7 miles south on 13th Street to the arena.  The arena will be on your right just before the railroad tracks. 

* SUPPORT NEEDED: The equestrian program horses need sponsors! Financial support is needed for hay, feed, vet & farrier services, and medications for our wonderful equine "staff". We have about 12 horses on staff that all have their own special feeding and maintenance needs. We invite anyone interested in sponsoring these magnificant animals to please call and schedule a time to come out and tour our facility (4792 13th St So) and meet the horses yourself. If you would like to talk to someone about our horses, please call Val Clark, Equestrian Program Coordinator, at 771-4829. Download a Horse Sponsorship Form Here. Thank you!

Current Schedule

Pre-registration and application is required before participating in the Equestrian Program - call 454-1449
Horsemanship: $20 per person / per hour. Wranglers & Intro to Horses: $5 per person / per activity. Horse Camps: $150 per person/per week. Hippotherapy: (call for more information). Group Rates: Call 454-1449.

Horsemanship Schedule

Recreational Riding - $20 per person / per lesson
* June 17 - September 11
* Tuesdays: 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
* Wednesdays: 2:00 - 7:00 p.m.
* Thursdays: 2:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Wranglers/Intro to Horses (non-riding) - $5 per person / per activity
* Wranglers - Tuesdays: 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
* Intro to Horses - Thursdays: 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Horse Day Camps - $150 per person / per week
* July 7 - 11; July 21 - 25; August 11-15
* Monday - Friday
* 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

 

 

© 2003 Eagle Mount. All Rights Reserved.