Enhancing Lives through Riding
Reinbow Riding Center provides therapeutic horseback riding lessons for children and adults with cognitive, physical, and behavioral challenges.
Established in 2008, Reinbow Riding Center is a therapeutic riding facility located in Belmont, Vermont. Their Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH)-certified instructors, along with the assistance of many volunteers, provide therapeutic horseback riding lessons for children and adults with cognitive, physical, and behavioral challenges.
To date, Reinbow has served more than 1,000 riders, and in the past five years the program has continued to expand, providing programs in both Rutland and Windsor counties at no cost to hundreds of individuals with exceptional needs from age 2½ to people well into their 70s. Reinbow currently partners directly with 10 local schools (and are always looking for more!), receives referrals from mental health agencies, serves private individuals, and provides a program for active military members and veterans and their families.
The Center has grown slowly but deliberately through the remarkable help of volunteers, a few dedicated board members, and the inspiration of Mary Jane Osborne, a certified PATH instructor whose work with hundreds of riders has proved critical to empower them within their daily lives and in our communities.
While Reinbow’s mission seeks to improve the well-being of individuals with unique physical, emotional, and cognitive challenges through a therapeutic equine experience, their goal is to provide these services to all community members, who benefit from tailored programs regardless of their income levels.
Reinbow’s riding lessons enhance physical and mental health, support positive family dynamics, and provide opportunities for those with significant developmental delays. Riders develop self-confidence and physical strength, improve their social and communication skills, and build determination. They feel accomplished. The calming effect of their horse opens the door to a rewarding relationship with their equine partners and, in turn, with instructors and volunteers. The aim is to help riders learn skills they can bring to their daily lives and share within their communities.
This past summer, instructors worked with two particular riders struggling with different challenges. Both responded “no” each time they were asked to do anything. This included approaching a horse or being asked whether they wanted to ride. Little by little, instructors on the sideline watched in amazement as the two participants got one step closer to a horse and riding. First came introducing the horse to the student, and then brushing and tacking (fitting a horse with a saddle and other riding equipment). Next, they went up to the riding ring to mount the practice horse. Each step was met with a resounding “no.” Despite this default answer, instructors and volunteers gave gentle encouragement and individualized approaches that saw these students brushing and tacking, then leading their horse, and before the final lesson of their sessions, even riding and smiling.
One of these riders needed the encouragement of dressing up her horse to finally mount. When she eventually mounted, it was on a horse wearing a long blond wig, a pink feather boa, and a unicorn horn! Both riders have now decided to pursue lessons for another session, and continue to progress in riding skills, resilience, and increasing self-confidence in their efforts. They continue to try new things in each lesson, and “no” is heard a bit less!
Because Reinbow operates outside, lessons run from May through October; they typically work and plan for the upcoming season while enjoying the slopes and fine dining in the Okemo Valley. “We’re incredibly fortunate to have both the program support and culinary skills of Chef Andrew Molen at our doorstep!”
One such plan in the works, the Center is excited to announce the launch of their new corporate sponsorship program for the 2023 season, which begins in May. This program will allow additional ways to support riding students and their communities. All funding is used to support programs, which can range from direct program costs to providing adaptive tools and individualized supports for those who require them, whether that’s a communication device, a partnering professional, or a feather boa.
