What is Handi-Riders of Northern California?
History of Organization
Handi-Riders,
a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, was started in Butte County in
1981 by a
dedicated group of people from the equestrian community and Butte
County
Schools Special Education Department. These individuals worked together
to provide a unique form of
therapeutic activity for children and adults with special needs: Therapeutic Horseback Riding.
Handi-Riders is a NARHA member and Premier
Accredited Operating Center.Our
program is recognized by the American Medical Association (AMA) as an
accepted
form of therapeutic activity for the physically, developmentally and
emotionally challenged. We are proud to
have served Butte, Glenn and Tehama counties for the past 30 years.
Description of Program and Services
Handi-Riders is a center for Equine Assisted Activities & Learning (EAAL). Horses are catalysts, facilitators, mirrors and listeners, as well as physical stimulators.By partnering with their horses, our riders enjoy complete, experiential learning.
Clients are referred to our program through schools, therapy groups, rehabilitation programs and doctors.Each client receives an individualized riding program developed to meet his or her needs.
We offer a
Winter 4-week
session, Spring and Fall 8- week sessions and a 6 week Summer Day
Program. Private and Semi-Private lessons
are offered
throughout the year.
Riding classes are conducted under the direction of our Registered NARHA Instructors with the help of trained volunteers.Each rider may require as many as three volunteers to assist them: one volunteer to handle the horse and two alongside to give handheld support or “spot” the rider.
The horses in our program are donated or on lease.We have horses of all shapes, sizes, gaits and breeds. They must pass a pre-qualification process for soundness and manners to determine acceptability. Once accepted, our horses are trained to remain calm around crutches, wheelchairs, lesson obstacles, props and rider behaviors before carrying a rider.
Handi-Riders is supported in part by: Businesses-Individuals-Grants-Trusts-Far Northern Regional Center-Community Services from CSUC & Butte College.
Accomplishments and Goals
In the Summer of 2010, Handi-Riders reached their long term goal of building a covered arena.With this shelter, classes are held in all weather allowing us to serve our riders without interruption.We are now able to focus on the expansion of our program and facility.
Long Term Goals:‘Expansion of our program’ is to include NARHA “Horses for Heroes”, new services for veterans, and a Hippotherapy component. ‘Expansion of our facility’ is to add a class room, tack room and bathroom to our covered arena complex.
For further information about classes, volunteering, becoming an instructor, or assisting Handi-Riders financially, please contact via e-mail: handiriders@foothill.com, or call the office: 530-533-5333.