April, 2011
NOTE:
This listing does not indicate approval or recommendation of any program by the Minnesota Horse Council.
NARHA: national certification of programs & instructors for riders with physical disabilities & mental health/developmental issues.
EAGALA: Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association. National certification of programs & instructors for riders who have mental health/developmental issues.
NARHA Affiliated Programs:
COURAGE RIDERS :
Gay Soltis (651-351-2315). Affiliated with but not funded by Courage St. Croix. Lessons offered to children (up to age 18) who have physical and sensory integration disabilities. Located at Washington County Fairgrounds. Indoor arena. Lessons offered April-October. NARHA certified instructor. Non-profit.
EQUUL ACCESS, INC.:
Marsha Anderson, 13769 Pheasant Rd., Hutchinson, MN, 55350 (320-234-7895). Email: info@equulaccess.org. Web: www.equulaccess.org. Equul Access offers equine-assisted activities for individuals with disabilities in the McLeod County area. Three 8-week sessions offered from April through October. Indoor arena. NARHA premier accredited center. Non-profit.
FORGET-ME-NOT FOUNDATION :
Brian Nalli, P.O. Box 106, Nashwauk, MN., 55769 (218-885-3663) www.fmnfride.org email: fmnfride@northlc.com. Program is located between Hibbing and Grand Rapids. Serves riders who have physical or mental disability. Year round (except Dec) through fall. Indoor arena, accessible playground with the only wheelchair-accessible swing in Minnesota. NARHA certified instructor. Non-profit.
FREEDOM FARM:
Susie Bjorklund, 11500 Furman Ave. SW, Waverly, MN, 55390 (952-955-2505). www.freedomfarmmn.org
Email: info@freedomfarmmn.org. Program serves children and adults who have physical, mental, and emotional challenges as well as active & veteran military service members. Program intends to promote parent and sibling involvement with family oriented activities. Year-round. Indoor arena. NARHA Premier accredited center. Non-profit.
HEALTH DIRECTED RIDING :
Rhonda Mostrom, PO Box 335, Grandy, MN, 55029 (612-247-9582) www.healthdirectedriding.org email: rkmostrom@hotmail.com. Program located in Cambridge, MN. Therapeutic horseback riding opportunities are offered to children and adults who have disabilities, while promoting physical, mental and emotional well-being. May-October. NARHA certified instructor. Non-profit.
HOLD YOUR HORSES:
Janet Weisberg, OTR, 5120 Colonial Dr, Golden Valley, MN 55416 (763-595-7112) www.holdyourhorses.org, email: janet@holdyourhorses.org. Private therapy practice providing equine-assisted services to improve quality of life, specializing in hippotherapy. Fee for service. Site is in Independence, MN. Mon-Thu days. Heated indoor arena, year-round. NARHA certified instructors. Non-profit pending. Instructor is a board member of American Hippotherapy Association.
JACK PINE STABLES:
Kristine Oppegaard, 7011 Cty Rd 38 NW, Walker, MN, 56484 (218-547-2720). Program serves children & adults who have physical & mental disabilities. Serves north central Minn. Jun-Oct. Indoor arena. NARHA certified instructor. Non-profit.
MN VALLEY RIDING ACADEMY at LEE-MAR RANCH EQUINE CENTER:
Jerry Ims, Kris Zieska, PO Box 151 State Hwy 212, Granite Falls, MN 56241 (320-564-2310), www.lee-marranch.com, lmrec@mvtvwireless.com. Main focus is on equine assisted riding for individuals with physical, mental, or behavioral challenges. Three instructors in training for NARHA certification. Spring-fall. Indoor & outdoor arenas. Non-profit.
MAJESTIC HILLS RANCH:
Kris Zieska, 24580 Dakota Ave., New Market, MN, 55044 (952-426-5688), kzieska@majestichillsranch.com www.majestichillsranch.org. Serving children and young adults with special needs as well as military veterans in rehabilitation. NARHA certified instructors, EAGALA certified instructor. Spring-fall. Non-profit.
MIRACLE HORSE RIDERS, INC.:
Candy Esterberg, 12373 485th Ave., Parkers Prairie, MN, 56361 (320-766-2994, 218-267-5216). Miracle Horse Riders provides therapeutic riding lessons to children and adults who have physical or mental disabilities. May-Oct. Indoor arena. NARHA certified instructor. Non-profit.
MOUNTED EAGLES:
Lynn Fairbanks, P.O. Box 566, Nisswa, Motley, MN 56468, (218-888-9920, 218-454-3228). Facility located in Brainerd, MN. www.mountedeagles.org email: info@mountedeagles.org. Lessons offered to children and adults with physical, emotional and/or mental disabilities. Focus on self-esteem. Year-round. Indoor arena. NARHA Premier accredited center. Non-profit.
NORTH COUNTRY R.I.D.E. :
North Country R.I.D.E., PO Box 312, Esko, MN, 55733 (218-879-7608) www.ncride.org, email: ncride@gmail.com. Program serves Duluth and greater northeastern Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin area. Riding sessions run from April through October in six week segments. R.I.D.E.'s goal is to provide safe, therapeutically sound, goal-oriented riding sessions through the cooperation of physicians, therapists, educators, instructors and volunteers. All disabilities considered, with ages ranging from 4 to 82 years to date. Indoor arena. NARHA certified instructors. Non-profit.
PROJECT A.S.T.R.I.D.E. :
Clare Palmquist, P.O. Box 873, St. Joseph, MN, 56373 (320-468-2524) www.astride.org, email: info@astride.org. Program serves the St. Cloud and central Minnesota area. Project A.S.T.R.I.D.E. provides a community based recreational horseback riding experience for children and adults with disabilities. Riding sessions run from April through October in eight-week sessions. The program strives to meet the individual physical and social needs of its riders. Indoor/outdoor arena and trails. NARHA Premier accredited center. Non-profit.
RIDEABILITY:
Jeanne Michelizza, P.O. Box 995, Pine Island, MN, 55963 (507-356-8154) www.rideability.org, email: rideability@yahoo.com. Serves riders with physical, mental and emotional disabilities and their siblings. Family centered approach. A goal is to integrate the riders with able-bodied riders. Apr-Oct. NARHA Certified instructors. Indoor arena. Non-profit.
RIDING ON ANGELS' WINGS:
Bette Shipley, 5062 120th Ave N, Felton, MN 56536 (218-359-0007) (north of Moorhead) www.ridingonangelswings.org, email: execdirectorROAW@aol.com. Hippotherapy, therapeutic sport riding, and equine facilitated learning, offered to people ages 2-18 with physical and mental disabilities. NARHA certified instructor. Indoor arena. Spring-Fall. Non-profit.
RISING STARS THERAPEUTIC EQUITATION:
Robin Scholl, Brian Leet, 10345 Hilton Rd., Little Falls, MN, 56345 (Robin: 320-632-2152, Brian: 763-689-5291). Email rising@northlc.com. www.rstherapeuticequitationinc.org. Program serves people with emotional, mental, and/or behavioral challenges. RPT and OTR. Program includes riding and driving, and groundwork. May-October. NARHA certified instructors. Non-profit.
RIVER VALLEY RIDERS:
Joan Berg, 260 S. 4th St., Bayport, MN, 55003 (651-439-2558) www.rivervalleyriders.org, email: rjberg@centurytel.net. A program started by experienced instructors and volunteers. Program serves children and adults with physical, mental and/or emotional disabilities. Located at Washington Cty. Fairgrounds, Scandia, Afton, and western Wisconsin. Apr - Oct. NARHA certified instructors. Non-profit.
SHARADISE THERAPEUTIC FOUNDATION:
Shari Mangas, OTR, 10922 Bolton Ave. NW, Monticello, MN, 55362 (763-360-4117, 763-878-2769) email: smangas@hotmail.com. Primarily group and private lessons for children and adults who have physical and/or mental disabilities. Services offered: occupational therapy, hippotherapy, therapeutic riding, and Horses for Heroes: program for veterans. Instructor is a NARHA certified instructor and occupational therapist certified to do hippotherapy. Heated indoor arena- year round lessons. Non-profit.
SPECIAL RECREATIONAL SERVICES::
Michael Oldfield, 10590 90th Ave. SE, Lake Lillian, MN, 56253. (320-220-0940) Program serves children and adults who have physical, mental, or emotional disabilities, as well as at-risk youth. Year round. Indoor arena. NARHA certified instructor. Non-profit.
VICTORY RIDERS :
Shelly DeRosier, 21315 Territorial Rd, Rogers, MN, 55374 (612-805-6279) victoryriders@hotmail.com. Program offers lessons to people with physical and mental disabilities, as well as people with mental illness. NARHA certified instructor. Apr-Nov. Indoor arena. Non-profit.
WE CAN RIDE, INC. :
Brad Thorsen, P.O. Box 1102, Minnetonka, MN, 55345, (952-934-0057) www.wecanride.org, email: office@wecanride.org. Provides equine-assisted activities and driving lessons to persons of all ages with physical, cognitive, and emotional/ behavioral disabilities. Lessons offered April through October. Four sites: Minnetonka (riding & hippotherapy), Marine on St. Croix (riding), Delano (driving, riding, & hippotherapy), and U of Mn Equine Center St. Paul (riding & hippotherapy). Classes offered evenings and Saturday mornings. Indoor arena. NARHA certified instructors & NARHA Premier accredited center. Non-profit.
EAGALA Affiliated Programs:
Hillside HOPE Thru Hooves:
Terry Bateman, 14179 55th St. NE, St. Michael, MN 55376, 612-840-5366, 763-238-7283, www.hillsidehopethruhooves.com info@ hillsidehopethruhooves.com,. Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Equine Assisted Learning for individual, families, and groups with behavioral or emotional issues, working on communication and teamwork. Year-round. EAGALA certified instructor. Non-profit.
HOPE RANCH:
Kit Muellner, LICSW, 6005 Salem Rd SW, Rochester, MN, 55902 (507-281-3033) www.hoperanchteam.com, hoperanch@dmbroadband.com. Equine-assisted psychotherapy that addresses many mental health and human development needs through ground work with horses. Instructor is Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, EAGALA certified.
MIDNIGHT SUN ENTERPRISES LLC:
Kerry Severson, 11050 Manning Ave S, Hastings, MN, 55033 (612-590-4687) www.midnightsunenterprises.net, email: midnightsunenterprises@embarqmail.com. Equine assisted psychotherapy for individuals, families and groups at private horse facility. Focused on personal growth and awareness for individuals and groups who have various mental health and relationship issues. Programs for business, corporations, and veterans also available. Indoor arena. EAGALA certified staff.
MORAVIAN MEADOWS EQUESTRIAN THERAPY:
Faith Jaeger, 36254 London Tr NE, Stanchfield, MN 55080, (763-639-9774). email: faithj_46@msn.com. This program serves people with mental health diagnoses. Lessons are mainly groundwork. Year-round. Instructor EAGALA certified. Non-profit.
STABLE THINKING:
Laraine Lekander, 2590 Cty Rd 139, Barnum, MN, 55707 (218-390-1707) ADRServicesmn@dishmail.net. Equine assisted psychotherapy & equine assisted learning. Program works with individuals, families, and workplaces. EAGALA certified staff.
(not updated)
TRUE BALANCE:
Dr. Leslie Russell-Martin (LMFT, PhD, LP), 15920 233rd St, Little Falls, MN, 56345, 218-831-1871 www.truebalancefarm.com email: info@truebalancefarm.com. Offers outpatient mental health services for children, individuals, couples, & families. EAGALA certified staff. Indoor arena. Year-round.
Other Programs:
AGAPÉ RIDING CENTER:
David & Jill Spellman, 24474 361st Ave, Henderson, MN 56044, 612-581-8924, david@agaperidingcenter.com, www.agaperidingcenter.com. Services to people ages 5 & up with behavioral challenges. Access to indoor arena & trails. Year-round. Non-profit.
CAMP COURAGE:
Courage Center, 3915 Golden Valley Rd., Golden Valley, MN, 55422 (763-588-0811). Campers at Camp Courage are able to participate in activities not otherwise available to them, including an introduction to horseback riding. The program tries to link campers who wish to pursue riding with on-going programs. Serves those who are physically disabled, speech and hearing impaired, and children who have cancer. Camp located in Maple Lake, MN. Summer only. Non-profit.
CHANGING GAITS, INC.:
Guy Kaufman, 27274 Monument Rd, Brook Park, MN, 55007 (320-679-4468). www.changinggaits.com, email: changinggaitsinc@gmail.com. Equine assisted addiction services is an emerging field in which horses are used as a tool for emotional growth and learning. Ours is a faith-based collaborative effort between a Licensed Alcohol & Drug Counselor (LADC) and an equine specialist who work together to design sessions that require the client to apply certain skills. Used for emotional or mental health issues, at risk youth, & veterans as well. OK Corral certified instructor. Indoor arena. Non-profit.
EQUINE CONNECTIONS:
Rae Ann Bartz, 36814 840th Ave, Olivia, MN, 56277 (320-523-1251). Equine-assisted psychotherapy program that serves people with mental illness (e.g. anxiety, depression, ADHD, eating disorders). Mostly on-the-ground work. Outdoor/heated indoor arena. (not updated)
IRONWOOD SPRINGS CHRISTIAN RANCH.
BJ Stoppelmoor, 7291 County Road 6 SW, Stewartville, MN 55976 (507-533-9933) email: wrangler@ironwoodsprings.com. Program is designed for people with physical, mental, emotional, behavioral, and learning disabilities. Indoor arena. Non-profit.
NATURAL CONNECTIONS LEARNING CENTER: (Formerly MN-LINC)
Tanya Welsh (LICSW), 1616 Watson Ave, St. Paul, MN 55116, 952-472-2422. info@naturalconnectionslearningcenter.org, www.naturalconnectionslearningcenter.org. Our mission is to promote cultivating life skills through building restorative connections with animals, nature, and expressive arts. A focus is connection with self, others, and the environment & community supports. Natural connections with animals includes interacting with horses for wellness, therapy, education, and professional development. Lessons and groundwork offered to individuals, families and groups who have emotional/mental disabilities. Indoor arena. Non-profit.
PJS RIDING AND MUSIC SERVICES:
Pat Jensen School of Horsemanship, located at Mill Creek Farm in Buffalo, MN (763-477-4764). PJS serves children and adults who have autism, developmental delay, physical disability, ADD, learning disabilities, visual and hearing impairments, as well as civic and recreational groups, day campers and other individuals and groups of all ages with varying disabilities and special problems. The PJS experience includes riding and music therapy designed to meet many different psychological and physical needs of riders. Primarily private lessons, but some group activities available. Vaulting is sometimes used as a therapeutic modality. Indoor arena.
SCHOENBAUER'S COUNTRY CORRAL::
Pam Schoenbauer, 24435 Drexel Ave, New Prague, MN 56071. (952-758-2560 / 612-501-1869) Special Olympics training site.
SPECIAL HORSES FOR SPECIAL PEOPLE::
Laurie Running, 1109 W Rose St, Owatonna, MN, 55060. (866-451-9769 or 507-451-9769) email: add_steele@hotmail.com. A program of Advocates for Developmental Disabilities serving Steele & Waseca counties for physically /developmentally disabled clients of all ages. Program is located at Waseca County Fairgrounds. Summer only. Non-profit.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
NARHA, Inc., 7475 Dakin St #600, Denver, Co., 80221 (1-800-369-7433). Website: www.narha.org
EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association), P.O. Box 993, Santaquin, UT 84655 (877-858-4600). www.eagala.org
Prepared by: Trina Joyce, Minnesota Horse Council, (612-729-7798)