Dream On Curls Therapeutic Riding

More of Monte Remembered

2011-05-29T03:57:00.000-07:00

If you read the last post -- you know all about Monte ... Here are photo's of the service held at the farm. Monte had many friends who loved him. Many of them had not met Monte's favorite mount Sudie Bee yet. This was a touching and beautiful way to honor Monte and we, at Dream On Curls Riding Center, were touched to be included in the ceremony.

The photo's will tell the story ~~

Monte's caregiver mounts for the final ride in Monte's memory.

Miss Me...But Let me Go.
When I come to the end of the road,

And the sun has set for me,
I want no rites in a gloom filled room,
Why cry for a soul set free?

Miss me a little but not too long.
And not with your head bowed low.
Remember the love we once shared,
Miss me but let me go.

For this is a journey that we all must take,
and each must go alone.

It's all a part of the Master's plan.
A step on the road to home.

When you are lonely and sick of heart,
Go to the friends we know,
And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds.
Miss me but let me go.

This is a poem that was found among Monte's things ~

Monte will be missed by all who were touched by him.

A Rider celebrated in memorium

2011-03-17T03:32:00.000-07:00

Over the past year and a half, we, at Dream On Curls Riding Center INC, have had the pleasure of working with Monte McCormick.

The first most obvious reason that set Monte as unique from most of our riders was his age -- Monte was an older gentleman in his mid to late 60's who was riding for the first time. The goals for Monte were to build core strength and balance. As with all our lesson riders, in his case so much more was gained in his time with us.

Due to the fact he was non verbal and could not hear created another challenge. Different colored reins, easy sign language, and eventually obstacles that provided a visual cue to show when he was knocking into them were used to counter the communication issues. And~ our center's own special therapeutic mount Sudie Bee became Monte's teacher as well. Sudie is a horse so safe, sweet as pie but just enough independence to create a bit of a challenge.

Each week Monte came all smiles and hugs letting us know he was happy to see us and his horse. He learned quickly how to do all the ground work independently including girthing up the horse.
At the start of his time with Dream On Curls Riding Center, Monte was a bit unbalanced, leaning and his posture was slumped. He was unable to remain in the saddle for a long period of time and needed to support of a leader and sidewalker.

As the weeks went by, Monte's strength increased
and no longer needed to have a sidewalker only a leader.

Only a few more weeks later, the leader remained but was there merely as a precaution
as he could not hear for loud noises and prepare for them if they should spook the horse.
Monte was steering the horse himself.
He was able to complete a multitude of tasks- up over bridges, through poles, over poles, figure 8's. As long as Monte had a visual cue to learn something the first time, he could do it. As we work hard to promote and build independence and increase self esteem for all of our riders we worked hard to find different visual aids to assist in Monte's growth and learning.

Monte at the start of his lessons with Dream On Curls

After 8 months of hard work and riding, Monte was able to trot around the arena maintaining his balance in the saddle. He had also moved to riding on his own with no leader!!!! The smile on his face when he realized he was really doing without anyone else was priceless.

Bringing that amount of joy to a person is the reason we do what we are doing because we truly believe that with the right way of teaching anyone can do anything, as our motto states..
We focus on what our riders CAN do, NOT on what they can't !- Monte has been proof of that !

It is with great sadness to report that Monte will no longer be with us. He passed last week from a sudden heart attack but he leaves behind a treasured memory and legacy~ the many lessons he taught to all who spent time with him.
Dream On Curls Riding Center INC feels blessed that we were able to share in his time and help to bring him and his family lasting memories filled with smiles and laughter.

Monte's family has requested that in lieu of flowers, etc - please make a donation to Dream On Curls Riding Center - as a tribute to the location of great happiness and accomplishment for Monte. You can contact us by e-mail to find out how to contribute in Monte's memory.

Here's to Monte- a brave gentleman who rode and smiled to the end !

Start of the Year with the Start of a new Group

2011-01-30T07:29:00.000-08:00

Despite the cold weather of January we still help the start of the first 8 week session of the Prism Ponies, an 8 week long session that is specifically designed for children on the Spectrum to help learn the many smaller social cues and interactions that happen in daily life and they miss. For the past two years we have run this group over the summer months for kids and beginning this year decided to expand it to be a year round offering.

Our Prism Pony Group is getting off to a great start in 2011 -- this is a block of sessions specifically designed for children and young adults on the spectrum.

Within the structure of the lesson will be both mounted and un-mounted activities

with these goals in mind :

¨ engage in co-operative teamwork

¨ improve stamina

¨ encourage physical activity

¨ strengthening in the abilities to read social cues

Children will be introduced with a simple schedule and build from there to provide more involvement in independence and learning to cope with transitions.

The two boys who began in this first winter session are both elementary aged so it seemed appropriate to assign some true ponies for them.

OYY Arcus a 12.2hh pony made his debut as a lesson horse and just as we thought ~ he proved to be very capable in the therapeutic setting.

OYY Pal’s Job a 13.3hh pony was the other choice. He has given lessons in the past including being a part of our summer Prism Ponies group. He has demonstrated time and time again what a safe, capable pony he is.

As a part of their first lesson they learned and worked on ground skills with the horses that emphasized using their body to communicate, respecting space of the horses and each other, making a plan in their head and carrying it out, and staying focused, while also working on basic horse skills such as how to stop, how to direct, how to move around a horse and so on.

Both boys were happy and excited to be working with their mounts and the personalities seemed to be a perfect match between horse and handler.

As the sessions continues we are going to continue to emphasize how to communicate with your body, how to read the body language of another, a stronger understanding of personal space and what it means, and their ability to focus while also teaching basic horse and riding skills.

Just a short video of the first lesson ~

Each group is a block of 8 once a week sessions. If you are interested in signing up for one of our Prism Pony Groups -- call the instructor Zoe Lirakis at the Center - 802-885-4126 !

Holiday Greeting and a new Program

2010-12-27T11:19:00.000-08:00

This free slideshow created with Smilebox

We have had a hectic but joyful summer at

Dream On Curls Riding Center --

with many fundraisers and

two Rider Appreciation Days !!

We ran a very successful and full of giggles Girls' Group ~

Photo's will follow before the New Year.

We have implemented a new group -- actually - this is a group

we have offered in the past- but it has a fresh and official name ~

We are excited about this group -- it will run every 8 weeks starting in January.

Our riding group for children and young adults on the spectrum has been a

very successful group we ran in the summer months. Now ~ it runs all year !

Along with your registration -- each rider receives a shirt with our new program logo.

It's cold at Dream On Curls Riding Center -- but the riders

keep braving the weather to ride their favorite Curly horse --

we are proud of each and every one of them !

Hope everyone had a super holiday and

we look forward to seeing you

back in the saddle after the New year !

AAMFEST !!

2010-06-27T03:40:00.000-07:00

Autism Awareness Music Festival - the second annual gathering. This is the first year the festival was held at the property of Top O' The Hill farm and location of Dream On Curls Riding Center. What an exciting day for us ! Crowds attended to relax under the tent to hear super music from 5 different bands and learn more about the resources available for those on the spectrum.

John Sullivan, Team Leader for HCRS’ Developmental Services program at HCRS and lead singer/guitar player of the John Sullivan Band says it all in his original music and lyrics -- Autism Speaks ~ and it's up to us to hear.

John Sullivan has also introduced a music program for HCRS clients called The Rhythmic Arts Project (TRAP). TRAP is an educational program for individuals with disabilities which uses percussion instruments to teach basic life skills. The program has supported HCRS clients in achieving their rehabilitative goals and has made a difference in the lives of those participating.

We had a brief shower and some threatening winds during the festival -- the horses played and enjoyed the music as well.. our two little lesson ponies put on a show

More samples of the great music -- just so you can experience what you missed by not attending this year's AAMFEST !! :)

The festival was not only all about the music however -- as the acronym suggests.. it is all about raising awareness. Autism is a general term used to describe a group of complex developmental brain disorders known as Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD). The other pervasive developmental disorders are PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified), Asperger's Syndrome, Rett Syndrome and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder. Many parents and professionals refer to this group as Autism Spectrum Disorders. Today, it is estimated that one in every 110 children is diagnosed with autism, making it more common than childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes and pediatric AIDS combined. An estimated 1.5 million individuals in the U.S. and tens of millions worldwide are affected by autism.

One is never prepared for a diagnosis of autism. It is likely that you will experience a range of emotions. It is painful to love so much, to want something so much, and not quite get it. You desperately want your child to get better and you may feel some of the stages commonly associated with grieving. One goal of the festival is to provide families with information and available resources to assist in coping and supporting.

Dream On Curls Riding Center is one of those resources. We have been providing a summer riding camp specifically focused on the needs of those children and young adults who are diagnosed as being 'on the spectrum' . This is a highly successful program with some very happy engaged riders. Mothers and Fathers are thrilled to see their children smiling and focused during their lesson.

Dream On Curls Riding Center is excited to have had the opportunity to help host this event ~ if you missed this year's festival.. watch for news of next year's date !

If you are interested in learning more about our therapeutic riding activities - please visit the web site or e-mail us.

Enjoy ~

Our Participation in the World Record Trail Ride !

2010-06-17T02:57:00.000-07:00

Sunday, June 13th - Dream On Curls Riding Center and Top O' The Hill Farm hosted a judged obstacle ride working with ACTHA -- the American Competitive Trail Horse Association. ACTHA donates up to 50% of its proceeds to eligible horse charities annually. On the 13th -- a trail ride was held in every state so there were thousands of riders and their horses trying out the same obstacles all across the nation. This ride was held to help fund Horse rescues every where. It was a bit of a dreary day but we had a great turn out and everyone had FUN ! ACTHA gives out some super awards and ribbons, provides all the judging sheets and does all the registration on-line... so Zoe and I only had to gather up volunteers for judging the 6 obstacles, place the obstacles along the route. We provided a breakfast and BBQ lunch with all the proceeds going toward the riding center. We will definitely host another ACTHA ride !!

Once the riders had all arrived and parked, with a yummy breakfast under their belts and the ride briefing -- they headed out to tackle the obstacles. The obstacles were placed along the ride - each one a few miles apart.. 2 judges at each obstacle. At registration time the riders had the option of signing on as either Open or Pleasure.... and the obstacles and judging criteria was based on the category - one being slightly more difficult than the other. The obstacles are kept secret until the pre-ride briefing .. no practicing at home beforehand !

Photo's from the last obstacle of the day - 4 cones set up. 2 and 2, 40 feet apart. For the open class - the horse had to canter or lope in 3 strides or less at the 'starting gate' -- for the pleasure class -- trot in 3 strides. Stop at the end 2 cones, squarely.. the horse standing on loose rein for 3 seconds.

Here's a couple of video's ~

Candids of the horses and their riders.

If I remember correctly- the grey horse rode as a "buddy" -- meaning they were there for the ride only. However, this rider did all the obstacles and did fine -- I think she said it was the grey horse's first time out away from his home. Great job !

There was a large representation of Rocky Mountain Horses.

This woman and her little buckskin "Bucky" made for a special pair. You can read about him on her blog here -

As judges, we saw a lot of great horsemanship and clearly a love between horse and rider.

Lunchtime and prizes !! ACTHA also had plenty of super free samples and discount coupons for horse "stuff " .. what a great day !!

Everyone was happy about their ribbons and prizes !

Despite the weather -- we all had lots of fun and Dream On Curls Riding Center looks forward to hosting our next ACTHA ride ! A big thank you to our volunteer judges !! If you are interested in volunteering for our next ride -- e-mail us

Enjoy ~

Open House and Global Campus Project

2010-05-13T03:09:00.000-07:00

Within Dream On Curls Riding Center’s community there are numerous agencies that work with developmental disabled individuals to build upon both their physical and emotional well-being. One such agency is Lincoln Street Inc.

Recently, they contacted us to see if we would be willing to work with them and their Global Campus program. The Global Campus program provides an opportunities for their consumers which encourages them to investigate topics of interest and present their research and project to their peers. It is their hope that this opportunity will allow the participants to step out of their comfort zone, build their self confidence and of course learn new things. Each week one of the many Lincoln Street consumers teaches something new to his or her peers. Before the class, the presenter works with their case managers and providers to research information on the topic, write a small speech or talk and then present it to peers.

One young woman LOVES horses, so she chose to present a short talk having to do with this love of hers.

A few weeks before the set date, the “teacher” of the class visited the farm in order to plan out what she wanted to talk about and to see the space. She then went and researched all about curly horses and therapeutic riding, made a wonderful poster and provided all participants with handouts.

Friday, May 7th - a group assembled from Lincoln Street for the presentation. Dream On Curls Riding Center decided to offer a general Open House that day as well in conjunction with the Global Campus assembly.

Dream On Curls Riding Center INC was thrilled to be part of such an experience. What a great way not only to encourage growth, learning, and socializing but to let more people now about therapeutic riding and its many benefits.

Keri Orla -one of the many wonderful lesson horses at the center-- also got the chance to participate so that everyone could see a curly and have a chance to try out some of the brushes explained in the talk. She, of course, also received many kisses and scratches ~ her favorite.

After the young woman's speech, Zoe Lirakis - instructor - delivered a little speech about our program and also about the Curly horses. We ended the wonderful morning with coffee, snacks and hand outs.

We whole heartedly support programs such as this in our community and are always ready to assist and accomodate in any way we can.

We will be hosting 2 events in the month of June --

June 13th we be hosting a Judged Pleasure Ride in conjunction with ACTHA -- read all about it !! We will be joining in to set a World Record !! Contact us if you are interested in volunteering to help that day or wish to partake in the ride.

June 26th !! Save this day -- Dream On Curls Riding Center and Top O' The Hill Farm will be hosting the AAMFEST on the grounds -- Don't miss this fun and exciting music festival !! celebrating Autism Awareness .

I always like to add... your contributions/donations help us help others !!

Don't forget :)

Spring Fundraiser for Dream On Curls !

2010-03-22T03:32:00.000-07:00

This will be our easiest and most FUN 'Fun'draiser yet !! All you have to do is show up and enjoy yourself !!

There will be a $5.00 cover charge for each person attending which will go toward our fundraising pot. As you know, Dream On curls Riding Center INC is a 501(c)3 organization and depends on public support and fundraisers to help fill in the financial gaps in providing our service to the community.

The featured band for Friday night, April 2nd, will be a talented local band - HIGH WIRE .

High Wire is a hard rocking three piece band from southern Vermont. High Wire has a repertoire of hard rock hits spanning the last three decades, as well as playing the best in new rock. With veteran musicians Jon Fletcher on bass guitar and Dan Borden on drums, HighWire has tons of experience in getting a crowd up & rockin’. On lead guitar & vocals, Josh Adams is still belting out hits. High Wire will electrify you into a dancing frenzy and zap you out of your work-week blues!

We will be holding some 50/50 raffles through out the evening as well as some other surprises !

As a reminder -- our riding center has many 'invisible' behind the scenes expenses which are part of operating within certain safety regulations, one of these being helmets.

The center provides helmets for our riders, so we have an assortment of sizes- about 2 or 3 of each size available. Each rider is fitted by instructor Zoe to assure the proper fit and protection. We do have many groups which riders are on horseback at the same time.

The helmets must be replaced yearly -- and only with approved and certified head gear.

Now many people think that you replace a helmet only if you have taken a fall of some sort but for those who operate a therapeutic riding center not so. Each year the helmets need to be replaced to ensure full safety of each of their participants. The reason being is that over time the Styrofoam that provides the safety to the rider wears down with normal on and off use, weather and just age. As an entity that provides lessons for those with disabilities, it is important to us, and all centers certified by NARHA, that every level of safety is taken so that we can focus on the rewards.

For those who are not horse people - a single helmet runs between $25-$30 for a basic, SEI/ASTM certified helmet, as a center we need to replace between 10-12 helmets a year all ranging in different sizes so that we have a variety of selections for our many ranges in ages and sizes. This adds up to around $400 a year. As our client base increases so does the need for more helmets. This is just one of our many behind the scene expenses that goes into maintaining a quality, safe, fun, enriching learning environment for all.

Anyone who wishes to make a donation spearheaded for helmet purchase can do so by going to our donation page on the web site and clicking the pay pal donation button. Or go here

Hope to see you all at our next event !!

Enjoy ~

Snow, Sleds and FundRaising

2010-03-02T03:20:00.000-08:00

The Valentine's Day Poker Run had to be post-poned due to NO SNOW !! and it was not looking great for the new date ... until the Wednesday before the big day.... Vermont was visited by the Mother of all snowstorms and delivered several feet of new snow cover for the snowmobile trails. The Chester Snowmobile Club revved up their Tucker and started grooming for Sunday !

There was a good turn out and fun was had by all. Dream On Curls Riding Center packed all their gear and set up the food booth at the Chester Recreational Field. Hot coffee, hot cocoa, breakfast sandwiches, do-nuts, chili, venison stew, and the standard hamburgers and hot dogs.

Susan Lejonhud, one of our board members, drove from Maine to help out and it's a good thing she did !! After the snow sledders arrived back at home base -- they were a hungry crew and gathered around the two grills with hearty appetites.

Registration table manned by President Stan Chouniere.

We met our goal -- which was raising the funds for our yearly Membership fees for NARHA.. thanks to the Chester Snowmobile Club and their much appreciated support !

******Thank you Chester Snowmobile Club ***

Stay tuned for our next Fundraiser -- Band Night at KJ's in North Springfield !! There will be music and fun for a good cause !! April 2nd, 2010 --- a nice way to heerald in spring.. and hopefully the end of MUD season !!

Enjoy ~

Winter Carnival Fund Raiser

2010-01-26T01:44:00.001-08:00

February 14th—the Chester Snowmobile Club is hosting their Annual Poker Run starting with the $10.00 registration fee at 9:00. Dream On Curls Riding Center will be manning the food booth with hot beverages before and after-- PLUS -- do-nuts, breakfast sandwiches, and a belly warming hot lunch when you return to home base, with water, sodas, dessert !! Food sales will benefit the therapeutic riding center, which is a non-profit organization.

MENTION YOU ARE RIDING FOR DREAM ON CURLS RIDING CENTER, CHESTER SNOWMOBILE CLUB WILL DONATE YOUR REGISTRATION FEE TO OUR CENTER !!!!

So remember, for a fun day on your snow sled -- head to the Chester Recreation field for the annual Poker Run and when you register.. remember to say you are there to ride for Dream On Curls !!

Unfortunately - only current VAST members can register and ride.

The Poker Run is just one activity of many which will be going on during the Chester Winter Carnival, so bring the family to enjoy Valentine's Day together outdoors.

2010 Chester Winter Carnival, taking place Feb. 12 - 14. The weekend will begin on Friday, with an outstanding bonfire at Cobleigh Field, accompanied by a skating party complete with lights and music.

Saturday’s activities will begin at 10 a.m. at the Pinnacle with the Sled Races, where you can win an Olympic-style medal for the top awards in each age group. A new addition this year, will begin at 2 p.m. with Snowshoe Softball at the Pinnacle Little League Field. Put your team together in advance, or show up to be included in a pick-up team.

Sunday, the American Legion Post 67 Women’s Auxiliary will kick-off the day, with breakfast from 8 – 10 a.m. Then meet at Cobleigh Field, where the Broom Hockey Tournament begins at 10 a.m. Please sign up your team by calling 802-875-2693 or e-mail cheshdwre@vermontel. net. If you prefer snowmobiling to broom hockey, the Chester Snowmobile Club’s Poker Run is also taking place on Sunday, with registration at 9 a.m. at the Pinnacle.

Please stop by our booth on Sunday to say hello -- have a bite to eat, learn more about our Riding Center, meet the instructor and some of our Board Members. We will have our T-shirts on sale in addition to a few other items.

See You There !!

2009-12-25T07:04:00.000-08:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Just a quick holiday reminder of the Smiles you can help create with a donation - large or smaller.. our Riders will appreciate your thoughtfulness.

You can go here for easy Pay Pal Donation for our Scholarship Fund http://dreamoncurls.bbnow.org/

Wishing all our Riders and their families/caregivers/support staff
a very Happy Holiday -
and also all those who followed our progress, supported and helped in all ways withour events this year.
THANK YOU ALL !! and MERRY CHRISTMAS !!

Therapeutic Riding brings joy to more than just the riders

2009-12-10T01:59:00.001-08:00

The following 'historical fiction' was written by our Board President, Sandra Howell. Not only is she a horse lover and owner and active member of the Dream On Curls Riding Center Board; she is also the mother of a child born with many developmental delays and disabilities.

We see this all the time at Dream On Curls Riding Center. The riders smile, chatter, anticipate their lessons with eagerness and happiness. But, the families, biological/adoptive, the caregivers, the staff - anyone related to our riders in any way -are affected by the many benefits of therapeutic riding as well.

Because it's the rider who is the focus, we often forget the circle of support people - those who maintain, nourish and endure through it all. The smile they see, no matter how small or bright... can make a big difference for them in the long road.

One mother of a young rider says- "It's kind of a bittersweet moment for me, my son loves his time riding - but it's the only time I see him smile. " She is certainly grateful for that smile, but yearns to see it more often.

For those of you who have children who smile and dance through life as 'normal' happy imps.. it may be difficult to imagine how precious a small smile can be.

Please remember this when you are contemplating a donation. Your kind gift brings smiles to more than just the riders' faces - but also joy and hope to the hearts of all the people who care for him or her.

A boy and a horse

She lifted the young boy high onto the horses back. He was quite heavy as he was wearing bulky leg braces and he did not have the ability to help.

The young horse, Wil, stood quietly, waiting for the boy to mount. Wil was the perfect horse for the child to ride. It was as if he sensed that the boy needed him to stand patiently as he threw one weighty leg over the side of the saddle, grabbed onto the saddle horn and sank into the seat. The boy felt no fear and instinctively knew that Wil would take care of him.

The horse and boy knew each other well, and had spent many quiet moments in the barn and in the field while the woman worked with the other horses. Their bonding was built on mutual trust, quiet moments and wordless communication. Many times during his younger non-verbal years, the boy had offered treats to the bay-colored colt. He had held the treats in the palm of his small hand as he waited for the touch from the colt’s tender lips to take his offerings. The colt’s soft nose would tickle his fingers and a subtle smile would acknowledge the boy’s delight.
This was the big day for the horse and the boy and it seemed to have come as suddenly as wind quickly moves in and blows through the trees. The woman knew that this was the day that she had been waiting for and it would mark an important passage in the young boy’s life. This would be one of the many milestones that would mark the boy’s life, but it would be this particular moment that would stay with her and one that the woman would always hold close to her heart.

Four years before, this moment in time, she had stood in the quiet of the day staring down into the crib where her son lay sleeping. He was a handsome two year old but even in sleep his bottom lip quivered as if he found no comfort in his baby dream land. She willed herself to stay in the moment, with no distractions, as she faced the harsh reality that something was wrong with her baby boy.

Since the day of his birth, the woman had tucked her innate feeling of unease into the back of her mind and she had continued to cling to the hope that all was well. Now, looking down at the sleeping boy, she knew deep in her soul, that something was wrong with her youngest son. She confronted the truth that she had denied for two years and she faced with certainty what her heart could not bear. Her plans for this child would not be the same as those for her other two sons and her mind conjured up all possibilities as her thoughts raced ahead and she wondered where to begin.

Tears trickled down her cheeks, ran onto her chin and began their flow of sorrow. She was overwhelmed by the realization that her son would always struggle to make his way in the world and that her dreams for his future would be always be elusive. Time stood still and her tears continued to flow until her heart felt empty and hollow.

Four years later, the sun was shining on her son as he sat proudly on the warm back of Wil. His legs found the warm place on the horse’s body and he spoke softly to his longtime friend. The woman picked up the lead line and began to walk slowly through the field of tall grass. Wil moved off with a rocking rhythmic gait while the young boy held tight to the saddle horn. She looked back at her son and saw a small smile of contentment come to his lips and the joy of the moment began to fill the empty place in her heart.

Please visit our web site for more information about our program. We have a donation page on the site.
http://www.vermontel.net/~top/dreamoncurls.htm

Also, you can find out more information here for donations - http://dreamoncurls.bbnow.org/index.php

Did you know if you use the iGive search bar for all your internet searches http://isearch.igive.com/toolbar.cfm it's very easy. Sign up for Dream On Curls Riding Center as recipient of your searches.

Also - through iGive, you can do your holiday shopping on-line using their coupons and discounts. You can facilitate a donation and save money !! Over 700 of the web’s best stores participate in this free program, and up to 26% of each purchase benefits our cause.

Please support our program. Even a small donation mounts up if many give.

Many thanks !

Here's a photo of Sandy and her American Curly Horse- Wil, one of the stars of her short story.

Sandy is currently authoring a novel. You can keep track of the progress by reading her blog - http://curlyhorsenovel.blogspot.com/

National Disability Mentoring Day at the farm

2009-10-22T03:37:00.001-07:00

Wednesday, October 21- National Disability Mentoring Day. We were pleased and honored to take part again this year. You can read about the goals and mission of this important date here -

http://www.dol.gov/odep/programs/dmd.htm

The day began with a breakfast for all 'employers' and participants. Some of the individuals who attended the breakfast were riders we already knew. Others had heard about our facility and came over to talk about their wish to someday participate. The biggest hurdle for most of these individuals is funding-- which is another topic.. but please keep in mind the importance of our new scholarship fund to assist these folks in their dreams. Visit our web site to read more about donating.

We had a great turn-out - of all the participating sites, Dream On Curls Riding Center hosted the highest number of participants ! We were also blessed with a gorgeous Indian Summer day- probably some of the nicest weather we've experienced in weeks ! (maybe months!)

A little introduction by instructor Zoe and then some saddle cleaning along with discussion of types of saddles and their use.

taking time out from cleaning tack to record the day with a photograph.
This woman was a return visitor to the farm- having participated in last year's Mentoring Day. She remembered a lot of what she learned last year and was a great help in supporting her peers in their new experiences. When asked later what she got out of this rewarding day she stated “it made her feel important to help other people learn about the horses.” When working with a group-- it's not always about the horses, but also the interaction that takes place between the human members of the session.

After the saddles were cleaned and oiled - the FUN part of the morning commences.. the horses are brought up for grooming. Another introduction and explanation of the tasks ahead.

Everyone has an opportunity to curry and brush the horses, learning at the same time the importance, purpose, and benefits of grooming for both horse and groomer.

once the horses are properly groomed- the next step is cleaning the hooves.

Zoe shows everyone the proper way to approach the horse safely and how to pick the hoof up and hold it for cleaning.

This important step in preparation can be intimidating for many- but this group was incredibly enthusiastic to learn and eager to try it!

4 horses - 4 hooves each-- plenty to go around !!

Here is a quick study-- she enjoyed it so much she did more than one horse.

Same with this young man ! For most of the participants, this was their first experience with such large animals and they all displayed respect and willingness to learn and try all the different steps.

Some did need a little assistance- dealing with hooves and co-ordinating yourself in a new way requires practice.

Some of the attendees found great satisfaction with this more physically demanding interaction with the horses and their care.

And there were those who preferred to find their gratification in another manner- just being close and 'cuddling' -- bonding through touch.

Both horse and handler are relaxed and smiling.

All those who attended found that being around the horses was very relaxing and enjoyable-- and could see many of the benefits immediately - from increasing stamina, to reducing stress, to just plain having a great time.

This proved to be a day that reminds me that all my hard work has a purpose ! While instructor, Zoe gets to see and witness times such as this daily in her interactions with riders and participants-- I am generally busy managing the farm and horses. Today, I put aside my normal work-a-day routine and became a 'volunteer' fetching horses and helping out - in addition to being there to memorialize the event in photographs. It is immensely gratifying to personally take part in the enjoyment and appreciation of participants such as these individuals.

One of the women proclaimed at the end of the morning's session - "This was the BEST day of my life ! " How rewarding is that ??

Rider Appreciation Day and Open House

2009-08-23T02:58:00.000-07:00

August 14th, Dream On Curls Riding Center hosted a Rider Appreciation Day to honor all our wonderful and special riders and their accomplishments. We were blessed with gorgeous weather - after a summer of endless rain and gloom ! A beautiful tent was set up on the lawn of Top O' The Hill Farm.

And right around 11:00 - the people began arriving !

The day was planned to include a demo lesson-

Lesson horse Lilly was ridden western through a mock trail course.

Everyone had a chance to watch and ask questions.

Under the tent were tables of hand-outs and Silent Auction items donated by area community businesses.

People had the chance to study what they wanted and put a bid in the jar. The money went toward our scholarship fund. Anyone reading this who wants to participate in the fundraising can go to the web site and donate through pay pal.

We served approximately 100 hot dogs and 100 hamburgers ! Along with lots of chips and side dishes rider families brought along. Susan Lejonhud from Maine- member of the Board of Directors- did all the grilling. and she was kept VERY busy on a hot day-- Thank you Susan !

Eating, chatting, making friends under the tent and at the picnic tables on the lawn

All our riders received blue ribbons !

The face painting corner was crowded all day - Many thanks to the 2 young women who volunteered their time to paint faces all day !

We had a large mirror set up so everyone could view their body art.

And when the time came to draw winning tickets-- what a great

co-incidence when you win what you really wanted !!

We had our Center shirts for sale - Susan models one later in the day.

Our logo on the back.

We had several styles - this one is the women's v-neck in violet.

Anyone wishing to order a shirt can do so soon on the

donation page of the web site- through pay pal, visit the farm and purchase one, or e-mail top@vermontel.net

This was a super day-- our First Annual Rider Appreciation Day combined with an open house. We had some great volunteers collecting food and prize donations.

Remember- our BIG Fundraising event is still coming up.. the Rev Your Horses Motorcycle Ride with a huge Silent Auction, 50/50 Raffle, BBQ with music etc. We will also have shirts on sale with the bike rally logo on the back.

E-mail top@vermontel.net for more info on this event - or read about it on the web site.

Autism Awareness Festival Day

2009-08-12T03:43:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday - August 8th, Zoe and I participated in the Autism Awareness Festival in town. This event was sponsored by HCRS (Health Care and Rehabilitation Services). HCRS is on the front lines in the global effort to manage and understand Autism Spectrum Disorders. Autism occurs in about 1 out of every 150 children born today and those numbers are increasing.

John Sullivan, case manager at HCRS, was organizer and emcee of the event. He also has his own band-- The John Sullivan Band - which played at the end of the festival.

There were lots of prizes raffled off-- a gorgeous quilt made by community members along with many other smaller items to be won, such as hair cuts and guitar strings for a year !

Dream On Curls Riding Center donated a gift certificate for one free riding lesson-- one young man in particular had his eye (and heart) set on that prize. He bought quite a few raffle tickets and when the time came to pick the winners out of the hat... guess what ? He won the lesson. He was SO excited and can't wait ... telling us it was his dream to ride.

John Sullivan put together a band of individuals on the spectrum... and they performed about midway through the festival. HCRS staff work with clients in the community to assist them in reaching their full potential and in becoming as independent as possible. And being in a band and playing music is just one way to achieve this !!

Plenty of guests having fun all day as there were 5 different bands playing and lots of food to be had.

Dancing to an AC/DC tune...

It was a great day for all involved and a big success. Kudo's to John Sullivan and HCRS for organizing this great event within our community !

At the end of the day- John Sullivan performed the music and lyrics of his self written song about Autism. Lovely song .

Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that typically lasts throughout a person's lifetime. It is part of a group of disorders known as autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Today, 1 in 150 individuals is diagnosed with autism, making it more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined. It occurs in all racial, ethnic, and social groups and is four times more likely to strike boys than girls.

Autism spectrum disorders can usually be reliably diagnosed by age 3, although new research is pushing back the age of diagnosis to as early as 6 months. Parents are usually the first to notice unusual behaviors in their child or their child's failure to reach appropriate developmental milestones. Some parents describe a child that seemed different from birth, while others describe a child who was developing normally and then lost skills. Pediatricians may initially dismiss signs of autism, thinking a child will “catch up,” and may advise parents to “wait and see.” New research shows that when parents suspect something is wrong with their child, they are usually correct. If you have concerns about your child's development, don't wait: speak to your pediatrician about getting your child screened for autism.

If your child is diagnosed with autism, early intervention is critical to gain maximum benefit from existing therapies. Although parents may have concerns about labeling a toddler as “autistic,” the earlier the diagnosis is made, the earlier interventions can begin. Currently, there are no effective means to prevent autism, no fully effective treatments, and no cure. Research indicates, however, that early intervention in an appropriate educational setting for at least two years during the preschool years can result in significant improvements for many young children with autism spectrum disorders. As soon as autism is diagnosed, early intervention instruction should begin. Effective programs focus on developing communication, social, and cognitive skills.

Dream On Curls Riding Center offers a program specially designed for children, adults, and young adults on the spectrum. Some of the goals in this program are- to learn to engage in a co-operative teamwork, encourage physical activity, strengthening the ability to read social cues and some problem solving, along with learning to multi-task. Bonding with the therapy horses has great value to Autistic people and those with a tactile sensitivity experience opportunities to work through that through the process of grooming.

Awarding Our First Scholarship !

2009-07-15T02:13:00.000-07:00

A young woman who is so happy to be riding-- thanks to the Dream On Curls Scholarship Fund. Many of our potential participants are on limited incomes and we are so happy to help them achieve their dreams.

For the past three weeks, this young woman has been participating in a fitness/healthy choices oriented group for children and adults. During this time, she learns not only the basic riding skills but also has an opportunity to bond with her horse and learn about the responsibility that is included with horseback riding. The riding skills learned assist in building core muscles in the abs and back while also encouraging the rider to work together with her mount and other members of the group.

The opportunity for this young woman to ride and care for 'her horse' has already worked its magic. She is falling in love with her mount Lilly. She says “It is a responsibility to ride this horse. I need to keep her safe, and listen to her while she is listening to me. " NARHA certified instructor Zoe enjoys teaching all the skills of horsemanship and riding - but when, as in this case, that lesson moves into the next level of emotional commitment to the horse, it's even more gratifying.

With the use of a 50% scholarship this young adult is able to participate in lessons for 8 weeks. She is thrilled and truly appreciates this assistance. She has even volunteered to help raise funds within the community so that others can 'experience the dream'.

Dream On Curls Riding Center INC is able to provide this type of assistance through the support from local organizations, businesses, applications such as the igive toolbar- http://www.igive.com/ , and personal donation.

As a non- profit 501(c)3 organization, all donations are tax deductible and all bring smiles such as this rider’s.

Contact Dream On Curls Riding Center INC if you are interested in supporting us and our riders or visit our website at www.vermontel.net/~top/dreamoncurls.htm and use our paypal button.

2009-06-26T01:44:00.000-07:00

On June 16th, the life skills class from Black River High School came to see our facilities and meet a curly horse. This field trip came into being because one of the students in the class attends the riding center over the summer months.

She is a young woman who is on the spectrum and riding has been wonderful for her. She has developed a connection with her horse, Sudie Bee, and is thrilled to be riding again this summer.

Last summer was her first experience with horseback riding and no one was quite sure if she would take to it. Well, she blossomed under the loving care of Sudie Bee. This young first time rider became more out spoken with each lesson, took her time to make sure she groomed and cared for Sudie at the beginning and end of her lessons and never forgot to bring 2 apples - one for her and one for Sudie -which they ate together at the end of each session.

When she returned to school in the fall, she was filled with stories about Sudie and her riding. She continued to share her excitement and experiences with her classmates throughout the year.

As the school year wound down and summer approached, anticipation mounted for this young rider, so eager was she to be coming back and riding Sudie again. Teachers and staff were thrilled that she had found a love and focus that also encouraged and aided her growth. They decided that at the end of the school year they would bring the class out to the center so that everyone could see the horses and meet Sudie Bee, the Curly mount- object of this young girl's tales.

At Dream On Curls Riding Center, we were quite impressed with the staff's motivation to take this to the next level and organize the school bus and field trip to the farm so one young girl could have her shining day, sharing her experiences with her fellow school mates in a 'real life show and tell' .

This was also a chance to encourage the growth of respect, responsibility and caring that was developed from the previous summer of riding.

Open House - May 2009

2009-06-07T02:46:00.001-07:00

At the end of May, we hosted an open house at Dream On Curls Riding Center. We were blessed with beautiful breezy warm sunny weather and had a great turn out.

Caregivers, area agency staff and families took this opportunity to learn more about our services and how Therapeutic Riding can benefit loved ones with any type of disability.

We set up a table in the corner of the arena with coffee and snacks- lots of hand-outs describing our programs- including our annual well-attended Summer Autism Riding Camp group. One of our Wednesday riders had her lesson as usual, only this time with an audience. Zoe's daughter Rena also rode in a 'demo' lesson - she's great about serving as our "poster child rider".

Board of Directors President, Sandra Howell-Chaffee, drove up from Hampden MA to be present for the open house- helping out and answering questions as well. Sandy has lots of experience with horses as well as disabilities- so she makes a super Prez !

This year, we added a new activity - a Raffle - for the purpose of raising money for our Scholarship Fund for those riders who cannot afford the full lesson fee. Several area businesses donated prizes and volunteers and parents of riders helped to sell tickets. Since we became a Non-profit 501(c)3 organization, we have more opportunities to able to raise funds, making our services available to more riders.

This was a successful day and we plan to repeat the Open House again in the month of June for those who could not make the May event. The benefit and purpose of Therapeutic Riding is still a mystery to many-- There is still the general pervading notion that Therapeutic Riding is merely a recreational "pony ride". There are so many ways that Equine Assisted activities can help and improve the quality of life for participants and part of our goal is to educate the public of those benefits of Therapeutic Riding.

A reporter and photographer from the Rutland Herald attended the Open House and gave us some nice coverage :

Horse power Animals are therapy for disabled
JOSH O'GORMAN STAFF WRITER
SPRINGFIELD - On a sunny Thursday morning, Kim Becker rode an American Curly Horse named Keri around an indoor ring at Top O' The Hill Farm. At the end of her ride, Becker brushed the horse, fed her a carrot, gave her a hug and said "I love you." The developmentally disabled 26-year-old from Windsor is one of about 100 people who participate in the Dream On Curls Riding Center, a therapeutic riding facility certified through the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association. For the past four years, the program's operator Zoe Lirakis has helped children and adults with physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities through horse riding and grooming.
"The lessons are based on the needs of the rider," said Lirakis, who chooses from among seven horses to find the best match for the rider. For riders with physical disabilities, being in the saddle will increase core strength and flexibility, while putting on and taking off the horse's tack will test concentration and fine motor skills.
"I think there's still a perception that this is a pony ride and it's not," Lirakis said. A developmentally- disabled boy learned his left from his right while using different-colored reins to steer. A disabled woman in her 40s, after riding for a year, had the confidence to get a job busing tables at a local restaurant.
"We make a good couple," Becker said of Keri after her ride. "She makes me better when I feel down."
Lirakis started the program because her 11-year-old daughter Rena Lirakis has cerebral palsy. Rena moves with braces and a walker, but after riding more than half her life appears quite comfortable in the saddle.
Some people whose disabilities prevent them being able to ride can still participate in grooming and caring for the horses, which can help participants to develop empathy for the animals.
The American curly horse is rare breed, with about 4,000 of them worldwide. Lirakis' mother, Betsy Lirakis, owns Top O' the Hill Farm and breeds the horses, which are ideal for therapy work because of their patient demeanors, their medium size and the fact they are hypoallergenic, a plus because many disabled people also suffer from allergies.
Lirakis uses a team of volunteers to assist the program, including Jenni Batchelder of Chester, who has volunteered for the last year and half.
"I had a lot of spare time and I love horses and I love helping people," said Batchelder, who will guide the horse and help riders stay in the saddle. "I tell everyone I know to volunteer."
Lirakis said the program is always looking for volunteers, with training sessions the third Saturday of each month.
For more information about the Dream On Curls Riding Center, visit their Web site at www.dreamoncurls.com.
josh.ogorman@rutlandherald.com
Copyright, 2009, Rutland Herald

Therapeutic Jousting

2009-05-11T00:58:00.000-07:00

One of our young riders is a Medieval Times/Renaissance fan- studying everything knights and castles. We had set up a short "Jousting" course in our large lower ring for another project not related to Dream On Curls Riding Center. When he came for one of his Saturday lessons, he was full of questions about it. We made plans to allow him to try the Jousting at his next lesson.

This is the 'course'- a little over 140 feet, with 3 'targets' - Quintains -
( a crow, a star, and a shield) ending with 2 rings. The rider holds a gold 'lance' and must hit each Quintain and capture the rings from horseback. The rider must have concentration and use of the legs to keep the horse near the targets.

This rider is ready ! There was a light rainfall but he was not about to miss this. Sir Kendrick- dressed for the games with his mighty steed.

A short video of our Therapeutic Knight :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1mcconCnPw

A fun and unique lesson incorporating all the skills this rider has been working on over the last year. What a great job !

Dream On Curls Riding Center is organizing another Spring Open House for May 21st. There will be a demonstration lesson and plenty of time for Questions to learn more about what our goals are here for our riders. This year we will have a fun raffle with some nice prizes to help raise money for our scholarship fund. Stay tuned for more information.

Enjoy your day ~

Docrcslideshow

2009-02-20T18:58:00.001-08:00

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

Docrcslideshow

View more presentations from hillqueen. (tags: therapeutic horses)

2009-02-16T01:34:00.000-08:00

Over the past couple of weeks it seems as though it has been the AH-HA time for riders- That time where everything just clicks and they are able to do what has been worked on for a couple of weeks. For an instructor these times are very rewarding; you are able to see the light go on in a persons face when it all comes together and they now they are doing it after weeks or sometimes months trying to work all the pieces together.

2 weeks ago the little girl who would like Camille to live in her bedroom came for one of her usual 2x a month lessons. Over the past 3-4 months we have been working on a posting trot on the lunge line. She struggled with it partly because the space in between lessons caused some sliding backwards and partly because of some physical difficulties. For the longest time it seemed she could not just figure out the rhythm of it, she needed me to verbally cue her up and down and even then it was challenging for her. Yet the last time she came it all clicked and she just did it, no cues no reminders, she was just trotting around posting on the correct diagonal like she had always done it. When we stopped for a moment to give her legs a rest she leaned down, gave Camille a big hug and said “Now we are sisters.” A very heartwarming moment for the three of us. It seemed even Camille understood why that moment was so special. For horse people you understand the connection built when you work together, figure out each others rhythms and movement and the reward in that. When I am able to provide and facilitate it for others it makes everything worth it. Building a bond with someone else and sharing in the glow of accomplishment is something that will be remembered for a lifetime and carries over into other parts of their life. I know this little girl will always remember her “sister” Camille and what she was able to do with her.

Unfortunately due to the alarming across the board budget cuts in our area, her parents are unsure if she will be able to come anymore. Her funding has been cut as it has been for many individuals with disabilities. Our weekly group from the school for at-risk young boys has also had to cut back due to their challenging budget. At the last lesson, the boys said their tearful good-byes to their favorite mounts.. the young man who for the last 2 years confided his inner most secrets to Camille whispered his last for now.

Dream On Curls riding Center INC over the years has helped people access funding from different area agencies to help provide rewarding experiences like these and is now excited to announce that it has become a 501(c)3 organization. This will allow us to fundraise and provide scholarships for riders. Visit our web site and click on the donations page to see how you can help ! http://www.vermontel.net/~top/dreamoncurls.htm Anyone can - through pay pal or by sending a check, sponsor a rider with a scholarship. Please consider this kind gift for our riders. Your gift is tax deductible to the full extent of the IRS Code Section 501(c)3.

Now that we have received our long awaited determination form the IRS, we have been busy writing grants so all our riders can continue without budget concerns. There is also a button at the bottom of the blogger page you can click on for iGive. Every time you shop at any of 700+ online stores in the iGive network, a portion of the money you spend benefits Dream On Curls Riding Center. It's a free service, and you'll never pay more when you reach a store through iGive. In fact, smart shoppers will enjoy iGive's repository of coupons, free shipping deals, and sales. To get started, just create your free iGive account. And when you search the web, do it through iSearchiGive.com where each search means a penny (or more!) for our cause! Check it out and consider joining up. You can raise money every time you search the web, at iSearchiGive.com. Make it your homepage and use it to find everything from news on the economy, to mood-lifting jokes (we recommend the latter). Dream On Curls Riding Center gets a penny (or more!) every time you search. Believe it or not, it adds up quickly and best of all, it costs you NOTHING! Start iGiving at: www.iSearchiGive.com/DreamOnCurlsRidingCenter.

Enjoy your day ~

Our Special Angel therapy horse

2009-01-15T02:42:00.000-08:00

We have many wonderful therapy horses that provide safety, compassion and fun for our riders but one in particular is a shining star in the program. She is Camille. She is an older mare who has seen and done many things, from dressing up as an elephant for her previous owner to trotting down the road and trail. She has the been there done that attitude so does not get worked up about little things that could be potentially spooky. Camille is always safe for her riders, being able to carry those with severe physical disabilities slowly and carefully. When someone comes who is more capable physically she meets the challenge and does just as well for them. This makes her a very well rounded therapy mount to help teach riding skills.

Her one characteristic that sets her apart from other horses- she is what is referred to as a "baldie" in the curly horse world. This means ~not only does she have no mane and tail but also has spots on her body that shed down to skin giving her a patchy body covering of hair. While at first riders and parents/caregivers look at her and express concern and an uncomfortableness about her appearance, once they ride her all is forgotten and it is true love.

Over the years we have had many people ride Camille and they always fall in love with her despite her appearance. It is her gentle, caring nature that endears all. Horses apparently have a heart 20 times larger than a human heart by weight and studies suggest heart size correlates with athletic performance, long believed to be an indicator of talent in racehorses. While this is purely physical data, indeed-- the hearts of the therapy horses are immeasurably large and giving in a more than just physical way. Camille has such a benevolent heart that has the power to heal- as we have witnessed in the program for many of her riders. She uses her large heart to fill the holes in other's hearts with grace and humility.

One of our riders comes with a group of boys from an at-risk youth program for boys. This boy has all the typical bravado you would expect from a young man of his age, multiplied by his particular life experiences. His outward behavior shields and camouflages his more sensitive feelings. 3 years ago when he first met Camille he made the typical smart remarks about her appearance, typical commentary when one meets something out of the norm.

After his first lesson riding Camille all that changed. He realized that "who cares what she looks like, she is a special animal". He truly cares for Camille now and each week he whispers his inner most secrets into her ear. It is difficult to get him to leave at the end of his lesson because he needs to give her one more hug. There are many times that he would like to stand with her, groom her and tell her things meant only for her. "There is no secret so close as that between a rider and his horse" and with this young man and his Camille- that ancient quote rings triply true.

Another of our riders is a young girl with hearing loss caused by years of abuse when she was living with her natural parents. She is now in a loving home. She comes to ride a couple of times a month ever since the center opened. Camille is her mount. Every time she is here, she exclaims- Camille is her buddy and asks if Camille can come live in her bedroom. Again, the initial reaction to Camille’s appearance was one of unease, especially by her parents who held a stereotypical image in their minds of what a horse should look like. After observing how carefully Camille carries around her mount, allows for mistakes without getting worked up, and works her "magic" and opens her heart to her riders- the parents have decided Camille is the most beautiful horse ever in existence.

Due to Camille's "odd" appearance, she has the opportunity to teach in other ways by just being. We have a group from the Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation for teens. The mental health clinician collaborates in running the group lessons. She is a horse person, owning a few of her own. She had never seen a curly before and certainly nothing with the looks of Camille. Camille, naturally, was a first choice candidate for the therapy mounts in this instance~ Calm, loving, open, and safe. The clinician made a few comments about Camille’s lack of hair and funny looks. We ignored her initial judgemental commentary, knowing by the end of the lesson the clinician would see why Camille is so special. Sure enough, after all the riders left and we were discussing how the first lesson went, the clinician took back all she had said about Camille and learned a lesson of her own. Do not judge by appearance. Camille is the 4-legged reminder that underneath there is something special about everyone; not to form opinions based on looks, but instead on personality and ability. Be open to the inner beauty and gifts ~Don't we all need this gentle nudge in life ?

While we can go around proclaiming how not to judge by looks, get to know a person before you make opinions, etc; Camille teaches that just by being. When the lesson is learned visually and experientially, it has a much more lasting effect and more impact than when one merely hears the words. As does a picture take the place of a thousand words- Camille's presence is the living picture that teaches that.

In the end, this is what we want for all people~ to accept all for who and what they are and see the beauty that rests on the inside, waiting to be recognized, validated, accepted, nurtured and treasured. I know that I have and everyday I see riders and their caregivers/parents learn this through Camille and her magical ways.

Many horses are special, those used in the therapeutic program are especially special, and our Camille stands out as extra-ordinarily special ! She can create smiles like these !

They say that angels come in all disguises-- and Camille is Dream On Curls Riding Center’s own odd little angel.

"And now here is my secret, a very simple secret; it is only with the heart that one can see rightly, what is essential is invisible to the eye. " (Antoine De Saint Exupery)

Christmas update

2008-12-26T03:14:00.000-08:00

We have had a busy few weeks. The weather has been fickle.. with a varied style of precipitation, snow, rain, ice. We had to do a lot of sanding to keep our driveway, parking area, and pathways safe. Then-- we had a 3 day snow storm which dumped a LOT of fluffy white flakes. As fast as we cleared the way-- more came down. Very beautiful once the job was finished.. but a lot of work. Then on Christmas Eve, a light rain and balmy temperatures reduced the snow considerably-- now today.. more sanding. Several weeks ago, we put down some new footing in the indoor. The dumptruck brought 14 yards at a time and it took about 14 or so trips with the tractor and bucket to transport the fill into the indoor. By the time the pile was indoors-- the truck was back with more. Then spreading it out, raking it and some dust reducer added-- more raking. It looks great- the horses love it and it's a good thing we did it when we did-- right after that day-- the weather turned very wintry.

It's a late greeting-- but Happy Holidays from Dream On Curls Riding Center !! and a big thank you for all of your support and to all of our riders ~

We have lots of goals for the New Year for programs and a scholarship fund. So stay tuned for news from Dream On Curls Riding Center ~

2008-12-09T04:16:00.000-08:00

As we repeat often- Learning to horseback ride is more than just sitting on a horse. Riders need to understand and be in tune with their body, balance and coordination. Established riders are able to realize that small movements with their hips, pelvis, calves and feet send cues to the horse for different movements, steering and other forms of communication. Building on these skills not only improves body awareness, strength and flexibility but also helps improves an individual’s ability to have relationships and communication skills. Body language is the largest form of communication between two people. 80% of all “talking” is done this way. Often times when we are communicating with a friend, co-worker, or peer we temper what we say based on the language we interpret from another’s stance, the look on their face, hand gestures, or numerous other body language signs and expresions. For many, this skill is just there, we know how to do it without really knowing how we do it. For some—this ability is not well developed or missing entirely.

What does this have to do with horse back riding you might ask?

For those individuals who struggle with relationships, understanding cues from others, and in their ability to communicate their own needs~ they can learn through horseback riding without having the anxiety that a “person to person” exchange can bring. Since all communication with a horse is done through body language it allows the rider to learn about the small movements that encompass communication and expression. Working in the saddle or with a horse on the ground, participants begin to recognize how their stance, posture, attitude, and movements affect another. In their head, they may want the horse to do one thing but through their body they are giving a different cue and can’t figure out why the horse is reacting differently then they want. This is when the instructor steps in as the interpreter, assists with some hints or some cues or helps them problem solve what is working and what isn’t.

Relationships and communication are a two way street where both parties have to be invested in the outcome. This is so true with horseback riding. Just sitting up there without doing your part as the rider - the horse will go anywhere it wants and do whatever it wants. Some horses require more input from their rider than others and some horses are very in-tune with the rider. When the individual has “checked out” from the “relationship”, has disengaged or become distracted, the horse will take full advantage of the situation.

For an individual who needs to learn about being an active member of a relationship, we choose appropriate mounts that can deal with distracted and unfocused, detached riders. Some horses can never learn to adapt to a “detached” rider. Others try hard to detect the subtle nuances of their riders and accommodate. In order for this goal to be truly successful, it also commands an instructor who can teach riding skills AND understand the often difficult and very subtle steps in harmonizing relationships and inter-communication. The instructor also has to have a deep understanding of the disabilities and traumatic events that can contribute to an individual’s lack of understanding in these areas. But with the right combination of horse and instructor~ the learning opportunities are endless and have a lifelong affect both on and off the horse.

We are so fortunate to have a few of these VERY special therapy horses and they are all we could have hoped for. For us, Sudie Bee and her daughter Sweet Bee take their job seriously and teach relationship and communication skills very well. For these challenging situations- both Sudie Bee and her daughter Sweet Bee completely step up to the plate and give their all- helping to empower their riders in many ways !

Therapeutic Riding Horses are Special !

2008-11-22T03:15:00.001-08:00

Being a good therapeutic lesson horse is more than just safely carrying the rider around in circles, either being led by the leader and accompanied by side-walkers, or guided by the rider. There are so many more reasons why a certain mount is chosen for a rider and just as many reasons why a therapy horse requires special care and attention.

Horses are not only screened based on size and temperament but also on movement. Some of our riders, due to their particular disability, require sensory stimulation. In that case, a horse is chosen that, at a walk provides a lot of movement to the hips, trunk and lower back to provide the rider the needed stimulation to relax and strengthen. Other riders become overwhelmed with large amounts of stimulation so they need a smoother horse, so as not to overload the system and send them into a shut down mode.

Depending on whether a rider has low or high muscle tone, a certain type of horse movement would be chosen. For someone with low muscle tone generally a horse with large motion would be too much for their body to physically handle. For someone with high muscle tone they would need a horse with a bigger rhythm of gait to begin to loosen and relax the muscles.
As a rider progresses their mount may change due to their changing abilities with their body in order to best meet their needs.

Riders with an attention disorder will, at times, need a horse that will challenge them. Putting these riders on a horse that has memorized the routine, the rider detaches and their attention wanders. Using a mount that will challenge them requires the rider to learn to stay focused in order to learn control and give them a place of concentrated activity.

Some of the participants in the therapeutic program are unable to ride but can still benefit from the sensory input of grooming a horse. A therapy horse must be accustomed to a wheelchair being parked very close so the groomer can brush, touch and smell the horse. Others are able to walk with mechanical aids such as crutches or walkers- again the horses must stand quietly when being approached by those who may walk with awkwardness and not be bothered by the odd noises and sounds of the aids.

These are just a few of the qualities we look for when matching our horses and our riders to reach a goal. In addition, our horses are asked to perform in a way that the average riding horse is not.

The therapy horse must always stand quietly regardless of the behaviors of their rider. Often the rider is clumsy when mounting, even with the help from the volunteers. They must remain steady at the mounting block, while many helpers surround them. Some disabled riders have a natural imbalance when astride their mount, some will move or bump in inappropriate ways. Some of our riders are non-verbal but do make lots of unusual noises- either vocalizing pleasure or anxieties. This can be stressful for some horses.

Therapy horses also need to have a strong bond and trust in the instructor and leaders. They are often given false body cues from a physically challenged rider. An individual with high muscle tone may be squeezing in to the horse existentially due to the tightness of their hips, thighs and calves- the cue to move faster for many horses, which the horse has to ignore, listening to the leaders instead. The rider may be unable to pull back on reins or verbally cue the horse. In these cases the horse looks to the leader and instructor for their cues in order to not do something wrong. This requires a greater than normal bond of trust and confidence on the part of the horse and handler.

Many of our riders have a detachment disorder and we find this is a definite stressor for the horses. They sense the lack of attachment and inter-relationship that would, in normal circumstance, take place between horse and rider/groomer. Horses are sensitive to their riders and look for relationship feedback. We, as the handlers, must be able to re-assure the horse in these situations. Horses must be chosen that can perform without the emotional connection they are used to and still “give” to the rider. This can be a tall order and not every therapy horse can deliver in this situation.

Therapy horses are asked to step up to the plate in many challenging ways. In return, they need special care and respect. We need to care for our lesson horses in ways that help them perform in ways that ordinary riding horses are not challenged. We look for ways to reward our lesson horses. Sometimes it may be a quick and refreshing trot down the road or on the trail. Sometimes they need a vacation from their “riders”. Our therapy horses are truly rare and remarkable animals and they deserve all the praise and rewards possible. We are so fortunate to have such a unique and wonderful group of horses well suited for this job of carrying their precious cargo. It is also incredibly special and noteworthy that all but one of the therapy horses at Dream On Curls Riding Center were bred, born, raised and trained here at our facility at Top O’ The Hill Farm !

It's a wonderful thing when we can create smiles like this ~ and it's really the horses that do it.. we just stand by and help a bit.

2008-11-10T02:34:00.000-08:00

Since the start of our therapeutic riding program, the main group of lesson horses has stayed pretty much the same. They are an excellent choice for many reasons- Keri Orla, Lilly, Sudie Bee, Winter Dancer and Camille. This spring, Tall Trees Sassie was added to the group, as she is all done raising her colt and ready to get to "work". You can see most of the "group" here on the Dream On Curls web site.

Last week, we decided to add 2 new horses to the group- OYY Sweet Bee, a wonderful curly mare and OYY Pal's Job, an outstanding smooth coated gelding. Each of these new additions are perfectly suited to the program-- their size, their personality, their patience just a few of the pluses.

Sweet Bee was born here- out of Sudie Bee and Mead's Chocolate Chip. She was trained and sold.. recently we had the opportunity to bring her back to the farm. She's an awesome little mare- at a chunky 14.1 hh. As we brought her up to the indoor, it occurred to us-- she is a THIRD generation lesson horse !

Here she is as a newborn !

Her dam, Sudie Bee, is a much loved exemplary lesson horse, who carries riders of all levels of abilities.

Sudie's dam and Sweet Bee's grand-dam is Teena, a "grade" mare, meaning she had no known pedigree- but she was anything but grade, unless you classify her as Grade A-one ! Teena helped teach my own children how to ride and drive. We even used her to haul out logs and firewood on many occasion. When we began to give lessons, she was a natural choice as lesson mount. She is pictured here with one of her riders- at the time she was in her very late 20's. Sadly, Teena became quite old and with no teeth- we made the difficult decision to euthanize her at age 33. We still miss her- but her legacy continues with her many daughters. She has quite a few "children" and "grand-children", all of them inherited her remarkable qualities. She was surely a grand old mare.

Sweet Bee's first lesson with her happy rider ~ She lives up to her name - sweet ! Sweet Bee is a very versatile mare as she has competed in many shows and won lots of ribbons- she is a fun trail mount-- and the PERFECT therapy horse ! Just like her grand-mother and her mother.

OYY Pal's Job was also born and trained here. This fellow is also extremely versatile- a super driving horse, great steady trail mount, and lots of potential for shows. However- like Sweet Bee- he has earned his biggest awards as a therapy horse, with his quiet honest demeanor. His dam, Pal O' Mine, is a fabulous little pony- who has been used in lessons, but is not an American Curly. So far, Job has carried independent riders in the therapeutic program and riders with disabilities that require leaders and side-walkers. He is the model lesson horse- suited for both situations.

Job and another smiling rider.

We are very proud of our lesson horses- most of them bred and trained at Top O' The Hill Farm. They all have a challenging and special job and always are ready to rise to the occasion !

Enjoy your day ~

Our Instructor At Dream On Curls Riding Center

2008-11-02T01:43:00.000-07:00

At the heart of every successful therapeutic riding center is the instructor. The skills required by a therapeutic riding instructor are more than "just" teaching riding. A great instructor is a multi-faceted combination of coach, mentor, educator, counselor, co-ordinator, program developer, insightful horse keeper, manager, a good mind for business, secretarial skills, with a natural people oriented disposition, combined with a comprehension of disabilities and the body, and an innate understanding of the horses and the creative ability to form lesson plans suited for each individual. This instructor has the gift to put together the horses and the riders and facilitates the MIRACLE !

Zoe Lirakis is the certified therapeutic instructor at Dream On Curls Riding Center- and she embodies the combination of skills, qualifications, and passion for the job ! She is an able riding instructor and possess that special gift to be able to work with a wide range of disabled and at-risk children and adults. Having grown up with horses, her intuitive knowledge of horses is a key component to making our Therapeutic Center a huge success !

Her journey began at age 11, with her little Curly gelding- Sunshine Alec-Xander. Born on a farm full of animals- this was her start with serious riding. Over the years, astride many different Curly horses at Top O' The Hill Farm, taking part in competitions and riding for pure pleasure- Zoe acquired much knowledge and an understanding of how riding skills could be applied to all the varied challenges of life.

After graduation from high school, Zoe pursued a career in the educational field, continuing to ride every chance she could. Zoe's calling appeared to be assisting that often forgotten and ignored population of students that struggled within the "traditional" learning environment. Zoe took a job teaching at an alternative high school for the at-risk students and truly enjoyed it. The "at-risk" group continues to take a special place in her heart. It was here that she gained experience with adventure based educational techniques and challenge by choice methods. 'Challenge by choice' encourages respect for one another, the skill of making one's own choices free of peer-group pressure and promotes an experience where everyone contributes to each others choices and self esteem development. Adventure based education is learning by doing. Zoe was able to plan programs which took students "off campus" and join up in activities such as rock climbing, ice climbing, repelling, hiking-- all pursuits which challenge the body and the mind. Within the scope of these non-traditional concepts, you are encouraged to push yourself beyond your comfort zone, all by choice, learning and growing.

It was a natural transition for Zoe to begin thinking about ways to combine horse back riding with this teaching style to help the population left out of the mainstream. Just another step in creating reality out of an idea and a dream ! As the goal became more of a concrete reality- Zoe added skills and certifications along the way to add to her expertise as an instructor- a yearly certification in first aid and CPR, both required by NARHA standards. Zoe is also certified in CPI, which is a non-violent de-escalation technique used by many human service or social work professionals. When working with a population that, due to their disabilities, life events and/or trauma, often and unpredictably communicate their frustration and confusion with explosive behaviors, the instructor must be prepared with relevant, practical behavior management skills. CPI teaches responsive listening, compassionate understanding, and proper restraint methods when it becomes necessary.

Our lives are so guided and enhanced by our personal journeys, our experiences help form who we are and become. Life is the grand teacher, we are the students who go on to teach. These paths we are taken on often send us in directions we would not have chosen-- but add to our talents and facilitate our ability to use those skills in a richer way.

While pursuing her career goals, Zoe delivered a 10 week premature daughter who was ultimately diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, spastic diplegia. This is a disability which affects muscle control, growth, and balance from the waist down. This event threw Zoe into the world of disabilities first hand. Finding proper treatment modalities, coping skills, and advocating for benefits, navigating through the maze of handicapped laws and rights- Zoe gained knowledge that would ultimately benefit all her riders and their families/care-givers. Over the 11 years of raising her daughter, Zoe has learned numerous techniques, skills, and ideas which are applied in her vocation of therapeutic riding instructor. What stands out clearly - the way to truly help the individual with any disability is to focus on the whole, not the disability. Thus, we have chosen the slogan for our center-- 'we focus on what our riders CAN DO, not on what they can't'. We are teaching people, not a disability. There is a lot more going on with disabled individuals other than the physical handicap~ which is often overlooked in the quest to improve movement. Our riding instruction does address the external physical aspects and benefits of riding- but also the internal spirit of the rider. Regardless of how our riders enter our doors, once inside, the focus is always based on ABILITY !

With the at-risk group of riders- there are even greater challenges. Their disability cannot always be seen with the eye.. it is within- but just as disabling. As Zoe continued to work with students in different settings, traditional and non-traditional- tutoring and teaching- She always felt there was a missing piece. She desired to give her students an activity which would teach life long skills. Her own personal enjoyment of riding- the release and ease of self she feels - it was a natural progression to use the horses and riding to offer all of those feelings and opportunities of growth to the difficult group of "at-risk" children and young adults that hold a very special place in Zoe's heart. Dream On Curls Riding Center is one of the few world-wide which offers unique programs for this challengin group of children and young adults.

Dream On Curls Riding Center has experienced expanding success due in part to our wonderful instructor, Zoe ! She is well loved by all our riders.

Our First Post~ a little history of Dream On Curls

2008-10-26T04:01:00.000-07:00

We had the perfect horses AND the dream--- combined with my daughter, Zoe's desire and talent for teaching and experience with disabilities and at-risk youth--- what else ? but organizing a therapeutic riding center.

In the summer of 2003, we offered a summer camp program of riding. This was very successful, so we repeated the program in 2005, adding more groups. We began talking and planning to enlarge our scope and continue through the winter, steadily increasing our client base, making many improvements in the lesson space and building a small office in the barn.

In March of 2006, we formed the official "Dream On Curls Riding Center", became members of NARHA, both as a center and as individuals. Zoe began her certification process and since has been "leveling up" continually. We procured all the necessary insurance, wrote up our manual, developed programs and more programs for all individuals with emotional, physical, and developmental disabilities. This was an exciting time for the the farm and the horses !

Our name has much meaning in several ways-- The first Curly filly born to Top O' The Hill Farm was Dream Curl ~ now 23 years old and still feeling quite youthful. And of course-- our facility is a place where Dreams can come true for many -- riding atop a horse of curls !

That first winter, we had many brave participants who rode outdoors, despite cold and snow-

During that winter of 2006-2007, we realized quickly, that in order to expand and accommodate the needs of all our many riders-- we needed to take the BIG leap to add an indoor arena. We found an excellent company right here in Vermont - B.C.I Construction . The owner, Bud, worked with us on budget and needs and we were able to have the building nearly complete in time for our first open house in April, 2007- which was a day of celebration in all ways !

This was a great decision and has enabled us to serve many more riders with needs. Many of the consumers of the therapeutic riding have sensitivity to heat, cold, brightness of the sun, etc. Some need the enclosed area for security- reducing anxieties.. or increasing focus with less distractions.

We have continued to make large and small improvements to the physical space. This summer we trucked in material to make a nice smooth driveway going up to the indoor for better access.

We added saddle racks in the indoor - especially for our group lessons- there is a lot of equipment that needs to be organized so the riders can tack up their horse easily.

We have many more goals to reach - so visit our blog often for news and updates ~

In the meantime remember ~ At Dream On Curls Riding Center we focus on what our riders **CAN DO** -- NOT on what they can't !