2010 Riding Season

Welcome to the 2010 riding season! Enrollment opens 2/15/2010. Our season will run from 4/19/2010 – 10/22/2010. North Country R.I.D.E. is excited to offer several new programs this year! We have re-focused our core programs for specific outcomes. This will provide the opportunity to have classes in which the participants have a similar focus and goal, thus increasing the learning and benefits for everyone. The following is a list of programs we will be offering throughout the year. When enrolling, please list your first and second program choices. Space is limited so sign up early. Most programs are offered for one hour, once a week, in six-week sessions. However, some programs have a custom schedule.

All of North Country R.I.D.E.'s regular sessions focus on different aspects of these areas of development, depending on the needs and goals of each individual client:

Cognitive Development

Building Blocks for Life
Participants will have the opportunity to engage in activities that will develop memory, problem solving skills, attention span, and various academic skills. Each lesson may include a variety of activities such as grooming, tacking, mounting and dismounting, exercises on or off the horse, riding skills, and games. 

Adaptive Development

Roll with the Changes
Participants will use riding lessons and equine-assisted activities to develop or improve their skills in the areas of social responsibility, self-help, community self-sufficiency, and social adjustment.  Each lesson may include activities such as grooming, tacking, tack care, stable management, and fun games both on and off the horse.

Physical Development

Freedom of Movement
Participants will have the opportunity to improve balance, posture, flexibility, strength, coordination, muscle tone, range of motion, or relax tight muscles. Each lesson may include activities such as grooming, tacking, yoga, leading the horse, tons of fun games, and of course riding.

Horsemanship Skills

Sport Riding
Participants will learn all about horses, horse care, and the skills needed ride to them. Each lesson may include grooming, tacking, tack care, stable management, mounting and dismounting, exercises, and basic riding skills.

Specialty Programs:

Special Olympics
Special Olympics Minnesota (SOMN) offers a range of competition opportunities for equestrians that are at least 8 years old and have an intellectual disability. Lessons include English or Western Horsemanship, Trail Class, Showmanship, grooming, and tacking. Previous exposure to horses is a plus. SOMN has a state competition in August that our team members will compete in. To learn more about Special Olympics visit Basics of Special Olympics. The lessons are offered once a week during the 10-week program. This program runs from 6/7/2010 – 8/9/2010.

Autism Program
This program is for people with Autism Spectrum Disorders that need a less stimulating environment, minimal changes, and lots of calming movement on the horse. Lessons will include soft music, rhythmic riding though an obstacle course, winding trail rides, picture cards for communication, and appropriate games and activities. Participants will also have the opportunity to groom their horse and learn about basic horse care.

Trailblazers
“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” This program focuses on children between the ages of 10 and 17 who are, or may be, at risk. Participants spend three hours one day a week at North Country R.I.D.E. We use fun equine-assisted activities to help participants develop life long skills such as responsibility, leadership, respect for self and others, patience, decision making, problem solving, and persistence. At North Country R.I.D.E., everyone can be a leader. We provide a safe environment for youth to learn skills they might not have thought possible. They will engage in equine activities, on the ground and on horseback. They will also participate in their choice of one or more service projects. They will work with horses and others while learning new skills and completing individual and team goals. 

Staying Active After 50
This program is for seniors who would like to stay active and be productive. Come to North Country R.I.D.E. and learn some exercises to stay flexible, ride horses to stay in shape, and volunteer with the program to make a difference in our community.

Companion Rider Program
This program is for family members or friends of a registered participant to be able to join them in which ever program they choose. Participants can work towards a variety of goals that include: developing self-awareness, empathy, teamwork, communication skills, and more. Activities vary depending on what program participants are signed-up for and what goals they have. Some activities that will be included are: grooming, exercises, and games on horseback.

One Day Programs 

Equinauts for a Day
Come to North Country R.I.D.E. and learn what therapeutic riding is and what the benefits are.  Spend 2 ½ hours one day looking behind the scenes of our operation. Explore how a non-profit runs. Gain some hands-on skills of being a stable hand by helping prepare meals for our horses, grooming a horse for class, and learning about horse nutrition. Then interview an instructor to learn what it takes to become one. If possible, observe a class in action. Round out the day by playing a game or two that program participants might play. 

Scouting Horse Badge Program – 2 hours
Come to North Country R.I.D.E. and work on some of the requirements of the Girl Scout Horse Lover Badge, Horse Rider Badge or the Boy Scout Horsemanship Merit Badge. This program is a ground skills program. Participants will learn safety rules and how to properly fit a riding helmet, groom a horse, see a saddling and bridling demonstration, and play games to learn the parts of the horse, saddle, horse breeds and common diseases.

Programs for Volunteers

Basic Volunteer Orientation
In Volunteer Orientation learn about the programs we offer, the people we serve, and the types of volunteer opportunities and trainings we have available. Then select the trainings you wish to attend based on your talents and interests. Volunteers are required to attend at least one two-hour training in addition to the Volunteer Orientation to volunteer regularly with our program. 

Basic Volunteer Training
Once you have completed Volunteer Orientation and have turned in all your paperwork, you are ready to participate in Basic Volunteer Training. There are a total of six training topics. You can choose to attend one or all of them. Each training is two hours long and includes a facility tour if needed. During training, volunteers will work though a skills check-off list for each topic. The training topics include: Horse Care Basics, Participant Assistant, Horse Handling, Mounting and Dismounting, Barn Assistant, and Facility Up Keep and Office Assistant. Attend Volunteer Orientation and visit our Volunteer Page to learn more about what is included in each training.

Advanced Volunteer Training
This is for volunteers ages 16 and older who have horse experience and would like to be a part of a horse training and conditioning team. During their four weeks of training, participants will learn about the different equipment used in the program, horse behavior, basic training techniques, different diagnoses our participants might have and what benefits equine-assisted activities can provide, and demonstrate their riding skills. After completing all four training sessions, participants will be placed on a team that will meet once a week and work with the herd manager to help train and condition program horses.

Youth Leadership Program (YLP)
For teens ages 13–17 who are interested in developing life-long skills while making friends, learning about horses and sharing their knowledge with others. Use horse-related activities to gain experience in each of the four programs’ emphasis: Developing Self Potential, Relating to Others, Developing Values, and Contributing to Society. These are skills the youth can use all their lives to achieve success. During four weeks of training, also develop skills in the following five areas: leadership, horse handling and care, stable management, facility projects and office assistance. Work with the volunteer coordinator or an older volunteer to learn skills in a number of volunteer opportunities at North Country R.I.D.E. Once you have completed a skills check-off list, you can sign up to volunteer in classes or in other areas of the facility and continue to develop your leadership skills with both people and horses.

Young Buds JR Volunteer Program
For children ages 7–12 who want to volunteer at North Country R.I.D.E. Attend two days of training and then buddy up with an older volunteer to continue developing your budding horsemanship skills. Learn or refine your skills in three areas around the facility: stable management, housekeeping, and class assistance. In each area, you will learn skills that will help you assist in that area. Once you have completed your skills check-off list for an area, you will be able to volunteer in that capacity.