We are a small nonprofit organization based in Freeland, Michigan. We serve students with physical, cognitive, emotional or social challenges by offering horse riding and driving programs. These students come from a variety of backgrounds and towns throughout Saginaw County and the surrounding area. Ages of our participants range from 4 years to adult, although the majority are under age 16.
EHRSC was organized in 1974 by a group of volunteers who recognized the need for a more ... Read More
We are a small nonprofit organization based in Freeland, Michigan. We serve students with physical, cognitive, emotional or social challenges by offering horse riding and driving programs. These students come from a variety of backgrounds and towns throughout Saginaw County and the surrounding area. Ages of our participants range from 4 years to adult, although the majority are under age 16.
EHRSC was organized in 1974 by a group of volunteers who recognized the need for a more positive response to problems faced by persons with disabilities on a daily basis. EHRSC founders saw the possibility of riding students having an opportunity to expand their activities through acquired physical and recreational skills gained during participation in a horseback riding program. They had the vision that a program offering therapeutic horseback riding would give persons with disabilities the chance to be a part of a program designed to let them pursue recreational and physical freedom.
Exceptional Horseback Riders of Saginaw County operates spring, summer, and fall sessions. The spring and fall riding sessions run one day a week for seven weeks and the summer session runs for five consecutive days. Each class of 45 minutes is limited to only four students, assuring individual attention for each rider. Riders in our programs are taught by instructors certified by PATH Intl. and the 4-H Cheff Center, and are assisted by volunteers who lead the horse and walk beside it. Students ride a horse selected to match their needs and abilities and individual goals are set for each student to work towards. A lesson begins with stretching exercises, followed by a riding skill lesson, and ending with a game or other fun activity on horseback.
In addition to the riding program, the EHRSC also has a driving program in which we currently have two students enrolled. The students drive the horse in selected patterns with a certified driving instructor. This activity builds self-esteem and encourages independence. In the future we hope to implement veteran and sensory programs, have year-round 10 week long programs and provide volunteer opportunities for at-risk young people.
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