We are so very sad to have lost our dear friend Lucy, our loving bay mare with the kindest eyes we will ever know. Lucy joined our family in the spring of 2011 on loan from her loving mom, Kathy Blackwell. Lucy’s gentle and patient ways won over every single person who walked through our barn. She would enthusiastically bow in hopes of a treat, and even just a smile. She could wrap you in a hug that would wisk away any worry or sadness in your heart. Lucy broke her pelvis is a tragic fall playing in the pasture. She left us surrounded by her friends and eating peppermints. Lucy’s friends have given her a joyous sendoff with flowers, carrots and peppermints adorning her grave. When thunder rolls across our skies, we know our Lucy is running across heaven. We miss you Lucy!
Go to the Volunteer page to see the current schedule for volunteer orientation and training! Note: current horse handlers and sidewalkers, we encourage you to attend a refresher and advanced level training, scheduled for March 24!
It is with very heavy hearts that we say goodbye to our beloved Applesauce. Applesauce went over the rainbow bridge to join so many of his friends on February 15th and we will miss him dearly. To the outside world he was Applesauce, the small little spotted pony- but to the riders who loved him, the volunteers who worked with him and the staff who cared for him he was our sweet little saucy-pony. Saucy was his nickname and one that he lived up to everyday. He may have been 35 years old (a young 105 in human years) but in his heart and his actions he wasn’t a day over 5. He loved to be out in his pasture watching over his girls and soaking up the sun. He loved to get treats and of course apples were a favorite for the pony who bore the name, but above all he loved to work. He was the old man that refused to retire – the one that loved his job so much he knew everything by heart. From taking care of the littlest riders to giving ground lessons to older riders he was a true champion. Applesauce held the title of the oldest therapy horse in the state of Indiana for several years, getting special recognition at the 2010 Special Olympics Equestrian Games. He was the steady eddy of the barn, the horse that you could always go to for any rider. We love him very much and are thankful for everyday we had with him. Thank you for changing so many lives Applesauce, we will never forget you.
Well done good and faithful servant – rest in peace sweet friend.
Our sweetest pony, Lexie decked in her fancy Morning Dove blanket and Morning Dove’s mascot Lyric pulling her holiday cart joined the fun on December 3 for Zionsville’s Annual Holiday Parade. Pony, dog and humans all felt the joy and cheer of our wonderful neighbors as we paraded down Main St. The perfect start to the holiday season!!
Thank you to all our elves for making the barn glow with holiday lights and cheer – we are blessed to have you in our family! From the do-it-yourself cookie decorating, yummy table of treats and cocoa, to the HUGE stockings hanging from each of our horse’s stalls it was a day of giving and joy. We shared the afternoon with our riders and families, volunteers, instructors, staff and board members. Our horses enjoyed being the center of attention as they peered out over their stall guards for a rub on the nose and hugs. And, they were very grateful for the pounds of carrots, apples and peppermints that filled their stockings. These treats will surely keep them warm and happy for the entire winter! We wish you all a blessed holiday season!
Our wonderful neighbor, the Baumgardt family has joined Morning Dove’s Walk On Campaign with a $10,000 gift and the naming of the stall of one of our horse heroes. Thank you for your thoughtful and generous gift!
Thanks to a generous gift from the Glick Foundation, Morning Dove has (finally!) begun work on its new sand arena. Come this spring we will be able to hold lessons outside in a large, sand based arena. Come see us!!
Morning Dove completed the Fall session with many miracle moments to remember and celebrate. Many of our riders achieved new successes this fall — their first trail ride, their first canter steps, first ride on a “big” horse, and so many more. Our partnership with St. Vincent Pediatric Rehabilitation continues to give us all beautiful moments of progress and insight. We completed our Horses for Heroes pilot with the VA Hospital and are excited to have several of our veterans continuing at Morning Dove as riders and/or volunteers. Horses for Heroes will triple its impact in 2012 with three sessions! We are so grateful to our community of volunteers, partners, riders and families for allowing us to do what we do!
St. Vincent Pediatric Rehabilitation and Morning Dove Therapeutic Riding will cancel all patients on Friday July 29 due to extreme heat warnings. We look forward to our new indoor that will allow riding all year round, including in the heat!
The American Hippotherapy Association Inc. will be offering two AHA Inc. Approved Level I courses during the week of August, 14th, 2011 hosted by Morning Dove Therapeutic Riding Inc.
AHA Inc. Approved Level I
Equine Skills Course
Monday, August 15, 2011
This hands-on course targets therapists with minimal to no horse experience in non-mounted equine skills. Participants will work with horses in teams of two to four, with a faculty/student ratio of 1:6, allowing an opportunity for demonstation, practice and individualized feedback and instruction.
Intended Audience:
Anyone who is interested in how to care, groom, tack up, and lead a horse. This course is open to the beginner volunteer, instructor, parent, therapist, administrator, or anyone in your program who does not have horse knowledge and wants to learn the basic skills and care of the horse as well as basic ground handling skills to handle a horse during a treatment incorporating hippotherapy.
Course Objectives Include:
-Correctly interpret the “body language” of the horse. Identify and name key anatomical points of the horse.
-Recognize elements of desirable conformation of the horse.
-Identify and describe the function of, and demonstrate proper use of grooming equipment.
-Identify key parts of the horse’s tack.
-Demonstrate safe and proper tacking and un-tacking of a horse.
-Recognize desirable qualities of the horse’s movement.
-Recognize and describe the four natural gaits of the horse.
-Recognize unsoundness in a moving horse.
-Recognize the signs of stress/burnout in the horse.
-Demonstrate safe, correct leading techniques with basic school figures.
-Demonstrate kind and humane treatment of the horse at all times.
Course Schedule:
Monday, August 15th: 8:00am – 5:00pm
AHA Inc. Approved Level I
Treatment Principles Course
Tuesday, August 16 – Thrusday, August 18, 2011
This three day course is designed for entry level therapists utlizing hippotherapy as a treatment strategy and those in or working with hippotherapy teams.
Intended Audience:
PT’s, PTA’s, OT’s, COTA’s, and SLP’s interested in learning about HPOT, those already working in HPOT who want to learn the basic applications.
Course Objectives Include:
-Know and understand the definition of hippotherapy.
-Understand how the horse’s movement affects human systems: A System’s Approach.
-Describe possible responses of a patient to the movement of the horse’s walk.
-Describe the unique contributions of the horse’s movement as a treatment strategy and potential benefits for the patient.
-Understand the importance of the hippotherapy horse’s suitability and movement.
-Describe the appropriate methods of horse handling during a hippotherapy session.
-Describe the selection and use of hippotherapy equipment for the horse and patient.
-Identify all factors that contribute to safety in the hippotherapy session.
-Identify key considerations for patient selection for hippotherapy including specific contraindications and precautions.
-Describe key elements of patient evaluation and treatment planning.
-Describe methods of maximizing effects of hippotherapy, including school figures and movement progressions.
-Describe safe methods of transitioning on and off the horse.
-Have a working knowledge of potential emergencies and appropriate procedures.
-Describe the roles of the hippotherapy team members.
-Understand the business aspects related to hippotherapy including documentation, record keeping, reimbursement isses and insurance.
-Demonstrate kind and humane treatment of the horse at all times.
Course Schedule:
Tuesday, August 16th: 8:00am – 5:00pm
Wednesday, August 17th: 8:00am – 4:30pm
Thursday, August 18th: 8:30am – 3:00pm
About the Faculty:
Lori Garone, PT, MA, HPCS is a physical therapists licensed in New York, New Jersey, and California. She is a board certified Clinical Specialist in Hippotherapy. Lori is a former American Hippotherapy Association Vice President and Chair of the Education Curriculum Development, Nominating and Standards and Practice Committees. She is also a lifelong horseperson and has competed in Equitation, Hunter, Jumper, and up to Fourth Level Dressage. Lori received the Oyster Bay Town Outstanding 2010 Woman of the Year Award for her contributions in the medical field and her contribution in furthering the treatment strategy of hippotherapy. Lori has a private practice on Long Island, New York, Physical Therapy in Motion, and incorporates hippotherapy into her patients’ plan of care.
About the Host Facility:
Morning Dove Therapeutic Riding Center provides equine-assisted activities and therapy for those with physical, mental and/or emotional challenges. Through the use of the proven benefits of therapeutic horseback riding and equine-assisted therapy in a safe and enjoyable environment, our organization has helped hundreds of people of all ages in the Central Indiana Community.
Directions to Morning Dove:
From 465: exit #23 (86th street), go west to Moore Road (first stop light) and turn north onto Moore Road to 96th Street (3-way stop), turn west onto 96th street, the barn will be 1/2 mile on the north side.
From Ford Road: take Ford Road to West 96th Street (turn west onto 96th street), past the three-way stop at Moore Road, the barn will be 1/2 mile on the north side.
From 1-65: take the 334/Zionsville exit, travel 2 miles to 850 East (Cooper Road), turn south onto Cooper Road, to 96th street (2nd stop sign), turn east onto 96th street and the barn will be 1 mile on the north side.
Overnight Accomodations:
Overnight accomodations are available at the following hotel, which is approximately four miles from the workshop site:
Drury Inn
9230 N. Michigan Road, Indianapolis, IN 46268
(800) 325-0720
$69.65 for Two Double Beds
Be sure to reserve your room by August 1st, and mention Morning Dove to receive the special rate.
Cancellations:
Cancellations for these workshops must be received in writing and must be postmarked no later than Saturday, July 30th, 2011. At that time, your workshop fee, less a $25 processing fee, will be reimbursed. No refunds will be possible after July 30th. Please note that course certificates cannot be issued to participants who leave the workshop early.
Do You Have Special Needs?
If you require special assistance, auxiliary aids or other reasonable accomdations, please contact Morning Dove Therapeutic Riding Inc. at least three weeks prior to the workshop.
Questions?
Contact Raquel Ravinet at (317) 709-9949 or rravinet@sbcglobal.net
Please see the following documents for more information and registration: