HORSE SOCCER AT WTRRA ARENA
Kicking in the New Year Equine Style
By Susan Dudasik Ag Weekly correspondent
Thursday, January 7, 2010 9:17 AM MST
SALMON, Idaho- Kicking off the New Year, about 15 riders gathered at the WTRRA arena in Salmon, ID, on New Year’s Eve for a game of horse soccer. The game is much like the human version except in horse soccer; the horses either shove the ball with their front legs or nudge it with their noses to the designated goals.
Prior to the actual game, riders spent time introducing their horses to three big balls and took turns maneuvering the balls around the arena. Once the horses are comfortable bumping the ball, most really take to “herding” it around. Some even become very competitive and protective of “their” ball. Teaching a horse to maneuver a ball is a common practice for those training horses for cow work, but it is a great activity for horses of all disciplines. At this event riders of all ages, from youth to seniors, rode Western, English and bareback.
One big advantage of using a big ball to train a horse is that he quickly learns to stand and tolerate things moving around and coming toward him. Then, as the horse starts bumping the ball and making it move, he gains confidence as he starts to follow the ball instead of turning and running in fear from it.
Most horses quickly catch on to the concept of bumping the ball, but the best way to introduce him to the ball is from the ground. Start by leading him up to the ball, let him sniff and touch it. He may jump back when it first moves so be alert. Don’t roll the ball toward him; this will just make him weary of it. Instead give it a small tap with your foot and let it move away a bit. Encourage your horse to follow it and touch it with his nose or leg. Reward him for the slightest try. Don’t get in a rush. Your job is to keep him facing the ball and calmly encouraging him forward. Some horses have difficulty at first because they have been trained not to bump something so you need to be encouraging at first. Usually it only takes a few times moving the ball before the horse starts to get the hang of it.
When he’s comfortable pushing it around, have an assistant start gently rolling it back toward him. Now this is a whole new thing for the horse so you may have to start all over again going very slowly until he realizes the ball isn’t going to “get” him. When you can roll the ball toward him, along both sides and behind him, carefully see if you can roll it beneath him, between his legs. You want to do all this from the safety of the ground before trying it on his back. After you can move the ball all around him and he ‘s happy rolling the ball, get on and encourage him to roll the ball on his own. The key to successfully enjoying horse soccer is in properly introducing the horse to the ball so he’s not afraid of it. Things can get hairy in the heat of competition and you don’t want to be in the middle of a bunch of horses when the ball rolls under your horse’s belly and he panics.
Horse soccer is a great activity of equines of all ages and can be played in a group or alone. There are places online to purchase special heavy-duty horse soccer balls or you can use the large exercise balls that can be purchased at the local sporting good or discount stores.
National Geographic Kids features Tater Tot
December 2009
Tater Tot visits the residents of Discovery Care Nursing Home
Article by Margaret Hevel
A handshake is often the introduction to a performer. For Karine Aigner, Senior Photo Editor with National Geographic Kids Magazine, meeting this Salmon celebrity was a pat to Tater Tot’s head. This equine star is a miniature horse that has been touching the hearts of Whitewater Therapeutic and Recreational riders and the residents of Lemhi County for around fourteen years.
It all began when Kitson Flynn, Freelance Equine Journalist, sent out a call for story ideas for National Geographic Kid’s Magazine. Susan Dudask, an Equine Journalist in Salmon, told Kitson about Tater Tot. Kitson approached her editor. The story was accepted and Karine Aigner arrived in Salmon. At the Child Development Center, she photographed children grooming Tater Tot. Later in the day, Karine took pictures while Jane Burke, Tater Tot’s handler and friend, led our equine physician on his rounds. Tender moments glowed for the residents at the Discovery Care Center.
“Tater Tot is the best thing that has happened for the Discovery Care Center,” said Steve Lish, Administrator at the Discovery Care Center. Thanks to the Care Center Tater Tot now walks the hallways in the comfort of new red tennis shoes.
As the camera shutter closes; each picture captures Tater Tot’s enduring gift of unconditional love.
Tater Tot will be featured in the May edition of National Geographic Kids.
Tater visits the Salmon Schools Preschool Program
WTRRA Sponsors Instructor In-Training Workshops
Tuesday, November 10, 2009 4:31 PM CST
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| Jeff Cooper stands near "Buddy" as Terry Myers and Corrie Schilling, NARHA Certified Instructors, assist Judy Barkley into the saddle and Mary Cerise looks on during WTRRA's recent instructor workshop ehld at their arena in Salmon, Idaho. |
Salmon, ID - People often think teaching someone to ride a horse is a simple process, hand them the reins, tell them to kick it to go, tug the reins left or right to turn and pull back to stop. However, there is much more to the process if the rider is to have a safe, fun and educational experience, especially if the rider has special needs.
While most riding instructors spend years honing their horsemanship and teaching skills, there are certain skills they need to know when working with special needs riders. Which is why Whitewater Therapeutic and Recreational Riding Association complies with NARHA, (formally called North American Riding for the Handicapped Association), standards related to therapeutic riding or equine assisted activities. The standards apply to the facility, horses, administration, volunteers and specifically to the training and certification of instructors. WTRRA requires therapeutic riding instructors to hold one level of NARHA certification.
Corrie Schilling, Advanced NARHA instructor, from Missoula has provided several local workshops for local instructors in training. Mary Cerise, Judy Barkely, Tami Sager, Susan Dudasik, and Jeff Cooper from Salmon, and Shari Montana of Missoula, attended the most recent workshop. Terry Myers and Joyce Scott, NARHA certified instructors, assisted Ms. Schilling. Tess and Erin Hurley, Angie Hurley and Getta Bradley participated as riders and volunteers during the practice lessons.
To achieve certification individuals must pass two on-line examinations related to facility standards, disabilities, equine knowledge and riding instruction.
Following the completion of the pre-requisite training and testing, (typically 6 months to one year) the candidate attends a 2-1/2 day on-site workshop and certification clinic held at a NARHA Premier Accredited Center where they receive additional training and complete the certification process. Candidates teach a therapeutic riding class demonstrating their knowledge of safety, mounting procedures, volunteer management, development and implementation of lesson plan. Candidates must pass that component as well as an evaluation of their riding skills.
The certification process is expensive. WTRRA has received several grants dedicated to assisting the candidates financially. Once certified instructors are available locally, WTRRA will begin accepting referrals for therapeutic riding programs. WTRRA has applied to re-establish the organizations NARHA Premier Center Accredited Status. This entails an on-site evaluation by NARHA visitors, which should occur in early summer 2010. This accreditation will enable WTRRA to offer the on-site instructor workshops and certification clinics locally drawing candidates from throughout Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Oregon, Alaska and Idaho. Through this process instructor, certification will be more easily accessible to local candidates, increasing the number and types of equine assisted activities offered in Lemhi County.
Lemhi County Collaborates with WTRRA to implement "Kids and Horses "
Lemhi County received a $35,000.00 grant from the Idaho Juvenile Justice Commission to provide services for youth at risk in Lemhi County. According to Jill Holliday, Probation Administrator for Lemhi County Probation Department, the grant funds a collaborative project between Lemhi County and Whitewater Therapeutic and Recreational Riding Association. WTRRA, a non-profit providing equine-assisted activities in Lemhi County since 1994, will implement the “Kids and Horses” curriculum developed by MNlinc of Minnesota. WTRRA and Lemhi County Probation Department will partner with Lemhi County mental health and social services agencies as well as the Salmon and Leadore school districts to identify youth 11-17 years of age who meet the program qualification requirements. Consultation and collaboration with providers and parents is a key component of the Kids and Horses Program. Joyce Scott, WTRRA Executive Director, commented that she looks forward to working closely with the community parenting and mentoring projects to meet their common purpose of serving the families of Lemhi County. Ms. Scott will be contacting agencies and school counselors to begin the referral and screening process. Instructors trained in the Kids and Horses curriculum, with the support of a LMSW and trained volunteers will facilitate the 12-week sessions, which will begin in January 2010 at the WTRRA facility on Cemetery Street. Thirty-six youth will participate in the program between January and October 2010. Following completion of the 12-week course youth may transfer to other WTRRA programs, including 4-H, riding, or volunteering. According to Scott, there is an additional parenting component included in the Lemhi County program.
Kids and Horses outcomes include:
- Increased resiliency, reduced stress
- Redirected anger
- Effective communication skills, especially in times of intense emotion when it is crucial to communicate in a non-adversarial manner
- Ability to make better choices and build healthier relationships
- Resistance to negative peer pressures
- Increased self-esteem and confidence, accountability
Katie Cooper, WTRRA Board Chairman, stated that the Board is very pleased that the Lemhi County Juvenile Services Department and Whitewater Therapeutic and Recreational Riding Association are able to collaborate on this unique program. WTRRA’s mission is to improve the quality of life for individuals in Lemhi County through equine assisted activities. For more information on WTRRA visit www.whitewatertherapetic.com or contact Joyce Scott through e-mail info@whitewaterterapeutic.com, or 208-634-7260.
Kids and Horses and Spirit of Equus
Individuals from Arizona, Wyoming, Montana and Idaho spent three days in Salmon and the WTRRA facility participating in the Kids and Horses Protocol training and Spirit of Equus workshop provided by MNlinc of Minnesota. The protocol includes a 12 week curriculum of equine assisted activities designed to assist youth-at-risk develop increased empathy, self-esteem and self-awareness . The protocol focuses on prevention and intervention and can be implemented by individuals who have completed the Kids and Horses training.
WTRRA is collaborating with the Lemhi County Juvenile System to implement the Kids and Horses protocol in Lemhi County.
The Spirit of Equus workshop offered participants the opportunity to experience the healing effects of horses. Participants were able to focus on their own relationship with horses.
Tanya Welsch, MSW, LGSW, Education Director and Molly DePrekel, MA ,LP, Clinical Director
MNlinc were workshop facilitators. For more information on Kids and Horses, Spirit of Equus or other programs offered by MNlinc visit the website www.mnlinc.org.
WTRRA receives land donation
Terry and Jessica McNellis of Lemhi, Idaho and Rancho Santa Fe, California recently donated 2.77 acres of land to Whitewater Therapeutic and Recreational Riding Association. The land, adjacent to the WTRRA facility, provides additional pasture and parking spaces. Mr. McNellis commented that they became familiar with therapeutic riding programs in California and are very pleased to be able to contribute to the local program.
ARENA OPEN
TO ALL RIDING ACTIVITIES:
WTRRA equestrian facility is now open for public use. Days and hours are dependent upon therapeutic and 4-H activities.
Contact Joyce Scott at 208-634-7260 to discuss open hours orschedule a special event. The arena will not be reserved for individual use. Riders must anticipate that they may be sharing the facility with other riders. Arena users must complete the arena rules agreement form available at the south end of the arena prior to the first arena use. All riders should sign in prior to each ride in the facility. WTRRA Board of Directors anticipates that those using the arena regularly will donate at a level commensurate with the rate of use. Funds are critical to the upkeep and maintenance of the facility and to the organizations ability to provide quality equine assisted activities to individuals with disabilties, youth at risk, abused and neglected children and the elderly.
Instructors, using the arena to teach, must provide proof of insurance and donate 10 percent of the fees to WTRRA. Horse trainers will be asked to donate at level equal to their use of the arena.
WHITEWATER BOARD APPOINTS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
SALMON, ID, - WhiteWater Therapeutic and Recreational Riding Association (WTRRA) Board of Directors has appointed Joyce Scott as Executive Director of the program. Scott is one of the co-founders of the program established over 15 years ago. Scott, an advanced therapeutic riding instructor, resides in McCall, with her husband Mike. She will be in Salmon on a regular basis to coordinate the facility activities and train instructors.
WTRRA is continuing to recruit new Board members and volunteers interested in moving the program forward and improving the facility. Current board members are eager to involve the community, as plans develop. Scott stated that she is pleased to be involved with the program again. "While the primary objective of the facility is to provide therapeutic and recreational equine experiences to individuals with physical, mental and emotional disabilities, the elderly and youth at risk", Scott feels there is great potential for other organizations to utilize the facility. She looks forward to working with community members to research and develop that potential.
Board Member, Peg Hevel, stated that the Board is grateful for the work of past Executive Director, Kathy Gaten, particularly the establishment of the Salmon Marathon. She and current Board members welcome Scott back to the organization and look forward to expanding programs.
Individuals interested in becoming a Board member are invited to contact Scott at 208-634-7260 or contact WTRRA at PO Box 1443, Salmon, Idaho 83467.
Whitewater Riding Yard (Arena) Sale
June 20th -WTRRA hosted a community yard sale at the arena. Through a $10.00 donation to WTRRA individuals and community organizations were provided a 12x12 space in the pleasant atmosphere of the Cover-All indoor arena. This was a great opportunity for other organizations to have fund-raising sales and for the public to shop out of the rain. Margaret Hevel, WTRRA Board member and co-author of the popular "Parenting with Pets" book was on hand to autograph copies. Board members and volunteers assisted bargain hunters search through the generous inventory of interesting merchandise. Plans are in the works for a repeat of this event in September so start saving your treasures. Stay tuned for more information. To reserve a space or donate to Whitewater for the next sale, call Susan at 756-3182. Thanks to all who donated to this fun fund raising project.
Rich Rodgers Memorial Trail Ride and National Trail Day
Seventy two equestrians, hikers and strollers enjoyed the sunshine on the Continental Divide above Eagle Valley Ranch during the Whitewater Therapeutic Riding ride-a-thon and National Trail day. Gloria Eberhard, Shirley DeCora, Richard Smith and Arnie Vethrus received National Ride-a-thon pins acknowledging their participation in each of the eleven Rich Rodgers Memorial Rides. Glen Alder was acknowledged for his past participation and competition in the oldest rider. Billy Alder, Dave Self, and the Gutman girls with country rap entertained the participants while they enjoyed a home cooked meal of sloppy joes. Gerald Pearson led a lively competition for live auction items and friends competed for silent auction items donated by the community.
The event ended with the reading of the names of those remembered during the memorial ride.
The WTRRA Board of Directors is looking forward to the 2010 ride on June 5. SAVE THE DATE!
Links:
For more information about Salmon and Lemhi County news visit: www.LemhiWeb.org
News from the past
SALMON 2008 VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD
The Board reviewed the nominees for Volunteer of the year award and unanimously decided to present the volunteer of the year award to Ted O’Neal and Kathy Gatens. Kathy has served as Executive Director of Whitewater Riding and is responsible for the development of the 2008 Salmon marathon.
States Brightest Star Award
STAR AWARD Tuesday, December 12, 2006
The Lemhi County Parent Project has won first place in the Organization category of the state’s Brightest Star Award. The local organization was chosen over 17 other statewide youth oriented volunteer programs.
Idaho Governor James Risch announced the award at a ceremony in Boise, December 7. Laurie Dupree, one of the local program’s original founders, was there to accept the award, be thrilled about the acknowledgement, and see the Lemhi County Parent Project star illuminated on the state capitol’s Christmas tree.
Salmon City Mayor Stan Davis attended the Boise ceremony on behalf of nominee Lemhi Promise. Nancy Chaffin and Susan Dudasik were there because of Dudasik’s nomination for her work with the WhiteWater Therapeutic Riding Association. Dupree said the name Lemhi County was heard frequently throughout the evening.
Whitewater Therapeutic Receives Outstanding Award: October 1999
(Recorder Herald article)
Idaho Parents Unlimited recognized Whitewater Therapeutic and Recreational Riding Association as the 1999 Outstanding Organization. An association of parents of children and adults with special needs, Idaho Parents Unlimited accepts nominations from throughout the state for the professional, parent and agency that have demonstrated excellence in pursuing and-or obtaining an improved quality of life for persons with disabilities. Kathy Heald nominated the Whitewater Therapeutic and Recreational Riding Association and was notified in early September that the Salmon therapeutic riding program had been selected from a strong field of nominations. Heald explained why she nominated WTRRA for this award. As a rider with Multiple Sclerosis in the Whitewater Therapeutic Riding program and a parent of a child with special needs, Heald told how riding has helped her physically, and has also been an activity that her son anxiously looks forward to.
Heald also told of the dedication and commitment by Whitewater Therapeutic and Recreational Riding Association volunteers and the growth that the organization has experienced since their start in 1994. The crowd attending the award luncheon held in Boise, enjoyed her talk and applauded enthusiastically when Whitewater Therapeutic and Recreational Riding Association representataives, Joyce Scott, Program Director, Gayle McCampbell, Program Occupational Therapist and Terry Myers, Executive Director were presented the award.