Trainers for paras, disabled & special needs equestrians

[Invite]

Well, I have been thinking and this is an extremely dangerous thing ;) I thought it would be great if we could have a thread which lists trainers who work well with and are willing to work with NQR riders.

Here are my thoughts:
-Put the state in the heading, as this will be much easier for those who are looking for their state or a nearby state.
-In the body of the message, put the trainer's name, whether or not the trainer offers school horses and/or schoolmasters, as well as the trainers contact info. If a website is available, please include that, too.
-If the trainer has a specialty such as lunge lessons or working with certain disabilities, add that as well.

I think this could be really helpful. If you have a great trainer, please share! It is very hard to call a trainer and say,"Hi, my name is Beth and I'm disabled. Will you give me lessons?" I think knowing your disability will be accepted by the trainer makes a lot of the nervousness and pressure dissapate when you make the scary phone call.

[ivy62]

I think this would be a wonderful idea! You might try cross posting to the off course forum first?

[Piaffing]

This is a great idea.

Also There seems to be a misconception by both coaches/trainers and riders that if you are a disabled rider that you can only ride at a theraputic riding facuility.

I guess I'll be the first one to step up to the plate. Not only am I Para Dressage rider, but I will teach/train disabled riders. I do lessons and clinics throughout North America.
Equine Canada Level 1 Coach
American Riding Instructors Association Level 3 Dressage Coach
C Level Pony Club Tester

cariba@sympatico.ca

[Couture TB]

Well I am recovering (doing great right now!) from neurological problems and have delt with physical problems due to that and many surgeries.

I am located in WI. Have a horse that is great for lunge lessons, and another that is as very sweet for w/t ( I only say w/t as he does not have a right lead canter yet still reschooling from the track, though I use him for any level of rider w/t) but am willing to work with anyone within a certain distance from where I live on their own horses, and they can also haul in. Willing to travel further for multiple students. I have trained horses to PSG for Dressage, ridden lower level GP jumpers, done upper level Eventing, and trained under trainers both short and long listed for the US and Canada Olympic Teams.

vmattson@mattsontraining.net

[whicker]

Invite, DressageGeek and I started the original trainers thread, but it is now hard to organize. I hope the new forums will make it easier to edit the title and update. As we get more information, we are going to need sub headings to make it easier to find the info.

Piaffing started an info thread and it disappeared. We need some serious stickies!!!

[whicker]

Invite is thinking again! Heaven help us all when that brain comes up to speed!

Ellie and I visited Invite on our way back from the Paulien Alberts clinic. She was doing well enough to go out and play and shop at smart pak. She can walk around the barn and hold a serving bowl at dinner. She is recovering fast!

[dressagediosa]

I'm in!

Lauren Sprieser, Marshall VA
I do not have lesson horses, but I love lunge lessons.
I have an indoor arena, a sound system (for those with hearing difficulties), and a very tall mounting block.
www.spriesersporthorse.com

[Invite]

Whicker, this brain is flooded with ideas. The board had best watch out!!!

For ease of use, could posters please put the state of the trainer in the title line. It will save folks from having to wade through every post to find a trainer in their area. Obviously, they will have to go post by post, but they will be able to cruise through at a faster speed if they see a state near them in bold letters at the top of the post.

TIA

[pintopiaffe]

I'm in. North-Central/Downeast ME.

I do have a 2nd/3rd level schoolhorse who is eminently kind, but only medium sized. (working on getting a bigger schoolie) I also have project horses available for long term lease/use for the right rider.

I generally travel *to* students and teach them on their horses.

I work with students from first-time-on through 2nd-ish (though I have one I coached through her Bronze) and then send them along to my teacher.

Dressage is my passion, but I also teach western equitation and working western, (reining, cutting, sorting/penning) and hunters & jumping. Will be doing some working equitation (Portuguese) in the future.

Contact is pintopiaffe at aol dot com

[cadriver]

I do lessons, and clinics (anywhere). Disabled and able'd.. I have a horse or use your own. Clinics for disabled I'll do for expenses...

Diane Kastama

[blackcat95]

Rock Creek Park Horse Center. They have a TR program as well as a regular program that takes all types of riders. Schoolies galore, tall mounting block w/ ramp, etc.

rockcreekhorsecenter.com

[Invite]

shameless bump!!!!

[Haven's Edge]

Happy to get involved ! I am still in the building process but happy to come and train on your own horse or you can haul in to the Fort Sam Houston Stables.

Fort Sam Houston also has training staff there able to school people and is also involved with the Wounded Warriors Program but you must be affiliated with the military get help there.

Feel free to contact me anytime. I am also interested in getting a San Antonio Para team going.

Dianne Fadok
210-216-8420
havensedge@hotmail.com

[Long Spot]

Great idea, Invite.

I wanted to give a shout out to a great place in Yamhill Oregon. B.E.A.T Riding Center. I've taken some students to their lovely little dressage shows, and have gotten to see in action what they do with their program. They have wonderful program horses, great volunteers and staff, and have a super fun upbeat attitude.

http://www.beatriding.org/

One of the shows I attended had some wonderful Musical Kur classes for the B.E.A.T. riders. The riders and horses were wearing wonderful costumes and riding to super fun music, and it just warmed my heart to see everyone enjoying a fabulous time.

I'm also a fan of Forward Stride in Beaverton Oregon, formerly known as Agape. I used to board and work out of the farm they are now located at, and can tell you it's a wonderful place, and they have made so many improvements to the facility since taking it over.
http://www.forwardstride.org/

[piaffequeen]

You may want to try Lynn Doki Miovech-she is located in Aberdeen, NC-no lesson horses but offers trailer in lessons, boarding and has a covered arena. She will come to you for lessons.

Great trainer-great sense of humor and very patient with out handholding!

[shawneeAcres]

well I offer lessons and do have some good schoolies (I only keep three good schoolies since most of my students have horses). I myself ride with a spinal fusion, not exacting a disability, but it does have some implications on my riding and I can relate to people with disabilities. I am happy to work with people that have issues riding, many of my students have confidence issues as they are later in life riders or re-riders and that can be a limiting "disability" as well as physcal. Also many do have some physical limitations. I enjoy the challenge of finding what "works" for each rider. I teach dressage, hunter/jumper and eventing riders, as well as some of my students show in "breed" shows. I have students that range from the age of five to the late 40's (myself being in my 50's now!). Only do private lessons as I feel that way I can truly learn the students limitations and devote my time to each students

[Timex]

Most of my clients do h/j stuff, but I also teach dressage and event riders, as well a little western and saddle seat. I have schoolies at both barns, and do travel to clients facilities as well. Email is difftimeseq@equinesite.com

[Invite]

I figured this thread was worthy of another bump! Some of us, especially me, need all the help we can get ;) Maybe with more people visiting this forum, we will have a larger number of trainers to list.

[MySparrow]

Good morning! I have a small facility in near Jackson, Mississippi, teaching basic horsemastership, flatwork through second level dressage, jumping, trail riding and basic driving. I also train a few horses, with their owners, each year. I am fortunate to have among my clients people with varying levels of challenge -- physical, emotional and/or cognitive. Please feel free to contact me privately.

[EqTrainer]

Never done it before but I would love the opportunity - my focus is on the biomechanics of riding correctly.

No school horses, I would have to come to you.

[FlightCheck]

Central Florida

I only teach "on the side" to those who have access to their own horses - we sold our farm 5 years ago.

Over 20yrs of teaching experience; lots of references available.

fcfinc@cfl.rr.com

Cyndi

[thyrusyoumonster]

I've taught special needs children (dyslexic, CP, autistic, etc) and adults with both mental and physical issues.
I specialize in dressage (my students have shown though second level), but many event.
I don't have a facility, but have an indoor that I can use (in Harvard, MA) for a ring fee and I do travel.

Sarah
s l toppinatcomcastdotnet

[Beasmom]

OK, I'm in.

43 years with horses, 18 of those teaching and training with emphasis in dressage. Plenty of experience teaching people with fear issues (most of my students are middle-aged beginners or re-riders), some with physical or other issues.

Sorry, though, no schoolies. I do have access to an arena for trailer-ins and will travel.

[littlemanor]

My husband, Krister Swartz, has a student with cerebral palsy and has found her very rewarding to work with. We don't have school horses at present, but do have an arena for trailer-ins and stalls for horses/riders in training short or long term, and he will travel within reason (we are between Charlottesville and Richmond). Our web site is manorminor.com.

[retreadeventer]

I would be happy to work with disabled/para equestrians - adults are best, dressage, jumping, eventing at competitive levels. I have taught extensively at the beginning rider level and have an excellent grounding in basic dressage and jumping equitation. I have a sand outdoor with one lovely 25 year old school horse who loves to be ridden! There is another dressage trained Friesian gelding on the property also which can be used as an intermediate level rider's school horse. Instruction here is private, and intimate and I am told my lessons are fun and focused! Those who are interested in competing fit well here. I am located about mid-state Delaware and work with students mostly on weekends. Usually more work is done in the spring, summer and fall - winter is not very much fun around here!
For more info you can click on my blog address in my signature, and go to the page about me.

[tuppysmom]

2 USEA level III instructors. Indoor, outdoor, grass jump field, small and not so small school horses available. Trailer in OK.

Some experience with challenged riders.

[MandyWing]

If anyone is interested in driving for the disabled, Gayla driving center in Georgetown, KY is the headquarters for USDFD. They have a fantastic indoor arena that is large and insulated ! plus it is a very safe environment to learn in. They have lesson horses and carriages modified to accomodate people with disabilities. Dana Banfield, husband of USDFD president, Debbie Banfield, is also a great mechanic and has come up with some very ingenious modifications for carriages. His latest modification was for a girl with no arms and he made modifications so she can drive by moving her shoulders.

for more info you can go to the website...

www.gayladrivingcenter.com (http://www.gayladrivingcenter.com)

[whicker]

What an opportunity! Thanks Wendy! How are your beasties? Could you tell us about your driving? You have done so much.

[HeartsNHooves]

Im a therapist and horse back riding instructor who is the coach of the UNCW team in NC. I work with physical and mental disabilities, and I have my own school horses.

[HOOF123]

UPDATES ANYONE

[equineartworks]

The Borrowed Freedom Program offers Recreational and Therapeutic Riding, Equine Facilitated Learning, and Hippotherapy (with Licensed Therapists) to riders throughout the Southern Tier and Central New York. Our program is tailored to the needs of the rider to provide the best experience possible.

Beginner through advanced instruction is available.

For more information please visit our website at www.borrowedfreedom.org

[sweet2lula]

Miracles in Motion is a non profit theraputic riding center in Keene, NH. We offer riding lessons to clients with physical, cognitive, emotional and social challenges as well as offering a lesson program for able bodied riders. We have a georgeous new facility with a huge mirrored indoor in Keene, NH. Please visit www.mimnh.org!

[Vegas Sky]

Hi there everyone. I'm new to this forum (there will be another thread shortly as to why), but I'd like to add in what I have.

I myself and mildly disables and I teach students of all ages from first ride up through 1st/baby second level dressage and Training level eventing. From there I pass them on to my trainers. I am willing to teach and work with any disability. I do not have much (if anything) in the way of adaptive equipment for the physically disabled, though. I do have a good deal of experience working with mental and cognitive problems and Autism Spectrum Disorders.

I have a patient and kind schoolmaster (a therapeutic riding ceter flunkie :)) and I am willing to travel within a reasonable area as my schedule (I'm a senior at OSU) allows.

[davidwillson]

I figured this thread was worthy of another bump! Some of us, especially me, need all the help we can get ;) Maybe with more people visiting this forum, we will have a larger number of trainers to list.

Good morning! I have a small facility in near Jackson, Mississippi, teaching basic horsemastership, flatwork through second level dressage, jumping, trail riding and basic driving. I also train a few horses, with their owners, each year. I am fortunate to have among my clients people with varying levels of challenge -- physical, emotional and/or cognitive. Please feel free to contact me privately.

[red mares]

I used to have a horse at Summerlea Farm in Rocky Mount, NC. They have several lesson horses and will teach special needs kids. They've got one girl showing in regular saddlebred saddleseat classes who is deaf & has some other issues. She has done pretty well, all things considered.

[sadlmakr]

I am in Northern California and have had a J/I Certificate since 1991.
I have helped many physically limited riders to keep on riding.
I have 44 years experience in the horse world and have had my saddlery for 23 years. I restore saddles of all kinds and do harness repair as well.
Any one who has a disability I am glad to help to ride.
I have built sidesaddles for those who can't ride astride, both off side and near side and made a sidesaddle for a lady with MS that has a side-rail to keep her stable in the saddle.
Para-Dressage has interested me for some time.
Never give up as to riding. It is good therapy for everyone.
JMHO.
Sadlmakr

[Penthilisea]

Due to spinal injury of my own, I can no longer ride myself, but I love to work one on one with riders using gentle communication methods to enhance the bond between horse and rider.

This keeps me involved with the sport, people and animals I love, without actually riding.

My discipline of choice has always been hunters, with a strong basis in dressage. I also have experience in driving both off road and within a urban environment; and as a Mounted Patrol Officer in New Brunswick, NJ. (http://rutgersmountedpatrol.webs.com/)

At this point I utilize both towards the goal of having a pleasurable relationship and comfortable riding partnership for my students.

I work best with early stage horses and riders, giving them solid basics and confidence to move forward with a professional. Also I enjoy working with experienced horses and new riders, accommodating the physical needs of the horse and the learning curve of the rider. In the past my students have gone on to ride and show successfully.

I feel that anyone can learn to ride, and neither weight, nor age should affect that opportunity. As far as my limitations, I am not able to ride your horse for you, however we can lunge, round pen or long line your horse if that becomes necessary.

I do not work with unbroken horses, or New-to-riding students paired with extremely green horses. I can however, assist students and families in selecting new horses to suit their needs.

Philosophically I follow Jessica Jahiel's Holistic Horsemanship (http://www.jessicajahiel.com/) books and work, focusing on safety first with the long term soundness of horse and rider as a primary goal. I require all my students to wear an approved helmet every single time they are on a horse, regardless of their age. I spent a significant amount of time as a volunteer at Somerset Hills Handicapped Riding Center (http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/Somerset%20Hills%20Handicapped%20Riding%20Center)a nd the Hunterdon County program; which changed ownership and became Dreams Come True, in Pittstown, NJ. (http://www.dcttr.org/)

My rates are reasonable. If there is more than one rider on site who can schedule a group or sequential lesson the rates is lowered. I live in Milford NJ (http://maps.google.com/maps?oe=UTF-8&gfns=1&q=milford,+nj&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=Milford,+NJ&gl=us&ei=dMYrTcyMIsPflgeB6OTeCw&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CB4Q8gEwAA), 08848, and do not charge for mileage.

Please send me an email and I will try to answer any questions you might have!

Beth

[mendezeqcentre@ozemail.com.au]

i wish to be able to help - have viewed the course & your courage with training and the horse also - competition creates pressure & living with disabilities -yes makes you work harder -But you get tired and need your strenght - not just to ride -for daily things. Riding and the experiance you get from riding and learning doesnt just affect you in your daily manner if gets you closer to yourself and your horse- remember your horse is never jugemental on how you are -so you should not be either- enjoy every ride - your horse feels a fly and shakes it off - but allows you to ride and commend it - strive for balance and free the rein - your horse will take you to the dream you created and added him in. love to assist for you to reach your goal with your parnter the horse xx
:) Well, I have been thinking and this is an extremely dangerous thing ;) I thought it would be great if we could have a thread which lists trainers who work well with and are willing to work with NQR riders.

Here are my thoughts:
-Put the state in the heading, as this will be much easier for those who are looking for their state or a nearby state.
-In the body of the message, put the trainer's name, whether or not the trainer offers school horses and/or schoolmasters, as well as the trainers contact info. If a website is available, please include that, too.
-If the trainer has a specialty such as lunge lessons or working with certain disabilities, add that as well.

I think this could be really helpful. If you have a great trainer, please share! It is very hard to call a trainer and say,"Hi, my name is Beth and I'm disabled. Will you give me lessons?" I think knowing your disability will be accepted by the trainer makes a lot of the nervousness and pressure dissapate when you make the scary phone call.

[Invite]

Thanks for your response :) Your are very kind and thoughtful!

[KnightEquine]

I used to volunteer with a therapeutic riding program and I'm starting my own lesson program (still in the sign up phase). I focus on biomechanics and horsemanship for the beginner riders and use Natural Horsemanship and Classical Dressage philosophies.

[Tamerat688]

dO YOU need a student worker?

Hi there everyone. I'm new to this forum (there will be another thread shortly as to why), but I'd like to add in what I have.

I myself and mildly disables and I teach students of all ages from first ride up through 1st/baby second level dressage and Training level eventing. From there I pass them on to my trainers. I am willing to teach and work with any disability. I do not have much (if anything) in the way of adaptive equipment for the physically disabled, though. I do have a good deal of experience working with mental and cognitive problems and Autism Spectrum Disorders.

I have a patient and kind schoolmaster (a therapeutic riding ceter flunkie :)) and I am willing to travel within a reasonable area as my schedule (I'm a senior at OSU) allows.

[planetlisa]

I'm NQR and wish to give my trainer a shout-out.

She was a dressage/eventing background and is knowledgeable about physical therapy/body mechanics/injury. She has a school horse, or will travel to your location.

E mail ann kjos (at) g mail.com

[HappyHorse10]

Currently I am working with disabled riders in the area. I do both lunge lessons and more advanced lessons off the lunge on the students' horses.

My background includes competing in the NAYRC and many years competing at the FEI levels.

Please feel free to PM me if you would like to contact me.
Thanks! :)