Equine-Assisted Services at Equi-librium

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2024 GENERAL REGISTRATION
Must be completed by all participants

SPRING SESSION SIGN-UP

2024 FEE SCHEDULE

Equi-librium, Inc offers the highest quality of Equine-Assisted Services and is premier accredited by the Professional Association for Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Int’l).  All activities are provided by licensed or certified staff with the assistance of volunteers.  Equi-librium is a member center of the PA Council for Education and Certification in Therapeutic Horsemanship (PA-CECTH). 

Program semesters at Equi-librium are 10 weeks in length with the exception of camps. Each week includes a 45 minute lesson. Components of our riding, driving, and unmounted programs can be held indoors or outside depending on the weather. All programs are partially subsidized through the generosity of individuals, corporations, foundations, and the proceeds from special events.

Program Objectives

By offering a progressive and individualized approach to equine-assisted activities, Equi-librium:

  • provides an equine-assisted adjunct that reinforces and enhances a program participant’s occupational and physical therapy programs;

  • provides a multi-sensory experience enabling program participants to develop their sensori-motor and perceptual motor skills;

  • provides a psycho-educational opportunity for learning and achievement;

  • provides an opportunity for socialization and recreation, and;

  • provides an opportunity for program participants to achieve their highest potential possible in functional horseback riding skills.

Methodology

Equi-librium uses a progressive, individualized program with each of its participants. Program participants are not usually started in the program learning traditional functional riding skills. Instead, each participant starts on the horse using an approach that reflects each participant’s level of postural control, balance, coordination, and perceptual and cognitive skills. An individual program plan is developed at the start of each season creating objective goals for the program participant. As participants progress through their goals, they “graduate” to increased skill levels on the horse leading to functional and independent riding within their capabilities.

 Please click here to learn about Equi-librium weight guidelines.

ADAPTIVE RIDING & HORSEMANSHIP

This recreational horsemanship program teaches centered (English and Western) riding skills and groundwork and is suited for individuals who desire to focus on developing their skills to meet specific horsemanship goals.  Lessons may include groundwork, grooming and tacking the horses, and other unmounted experiences to develop fundamental abilities that can be translated into riding skills.

Participants in Adaptive Riding & Horsemanship classes may have other program opportunities, including Special Olympics and the Equi-librium Show Team. For more information about the Show Team, please CLICK HERE.

Equi-librium also offers specialized “Silver Saddles” Adaptive Riding & Horsemanship classes for older adults over 55. For more information about Silver Saddles, please CLICK HERE.

10 Week Session Tuition: $550/Group, $650/Semi-Private, $750/Private

EQUINE-ASSISTED MOVEMENT

Equine-Assisted Movement (EAM) provides the participant with a variety of sensory-motor experiences through the movement of the horse.  These experiences can be facilitated by changing physical positioning on the horse, games, and/or altering the movement of the horse in a variety of ways (hills, footing, pace, etc).  EAM helps to develop body awareness, improved posture and balance, coordination, and motor-planning as a result of the horse’s movement, with no therapeutic manipulation of the participant by the PATH Professional.  This program is suited for individuals of all ages with impaired balance, low muscle tone, decreased strength, low endurance, or other disabilities, and can be used as a fundamental class to transition into Adaptive Riding (riding skills).  This is a private or semi-private lesson under the direction of a PATH Professional who provides direct handling and cueing of the participant with the aid of one or more volunteers. 

10 Week Session Tuition: $550/Group, $650/Semi-Private, $750/Private

HIPPOTHERAPY

Equi-librium offers therapeutic programming in the areas of Physical and Occupational Therapy. Our licensed OT/PT professionals use evidence-based practice and clinical reasoning in the purposeful manipulation of equine movement as a therapy tool to engage sensory, neuromotor, and cognitive systems to promote functional outcomes.  Best practice dictates that licensed therapy professionals integrate equine-assisted therapy into the patient’s plan of care, along with other tools and/or strategies. 

EA Therapy lessons are conducted by a PT/OT with trained volunteers and supervised by a PATH Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor.  An evaluation by a licensed therapist is required to enter this program. 

$120 per 45-minute session. Payment due at time of service.

EQUINE-ASSISTED LEARNING

EAL promotes the development of life skills for educational, professional, and personal goals through equine-assisted activities.  In an EAL setting, an experiential approach integrates equine-human interaction in a guided learning experience to meet the identified goals or desires of the participant(s).  Working with equines provides opportunities to teach critical life skills such as trust, respect, honesty, and communication.  EAL is suited for individuals or groups from preschool to high school, as well as adults, and offers special learning programs for those needing emotional or mental health support.  This program is conducted by a PATH Professional with additional consultation by an educational or social service professional.

Equi-librium offers Ride, Learn and Grow, a division of Equine-Assisted Learning, to public schools in the Lehigh Valley and Poconos. CLICK HERE for more information.

THERAPEUTIC CARRIAGE DRIVING

Therapeutic driving produces similar benefits as riding such as improving balance, core strengthening and trunk stability, coordination, and independence.  This program is designed for those who do not wish to, or may not be able to, ride upon a horse.  Lessons are conducted by a PATH Int’l Certified Driving Instructor.  Participants will learn how to groom, harness, and hook up the horse to cart.  In addition, learning how to steer through patterns and obstacles can help facilitate specific desired outcomes and goals with regard to problem solving and sequential processing.

Equi-librium owns a Thornlea Wagon which is equipped with a hydraulic wheelchair lift.

10 Week Session Tuition: $650/Semi-Private, $750/Private

HORSE SHOW TEAM

Participants who are working towards independent riding and horse show competition may be selected for the Horse Show Team, with opportunities to show offsite in addition to the Annual Horse Show held at the farm.  This program has additional costs associated with participation.

In 2022, the inaugural Equi-librium Show Team traveled to two off-the-farm Lehigh Valley Dressage Association shows. Two riders qualified for the Northeast Pennsylvania Show Series Championship in their first ever therapeutic riding division.

2022 NPASS Champion: Rylee Gerber & Sam
2022 NPASS Reserve Champion: Jim Witucki & Buford

In addition to our Show Team, Equi-librium is proud to partner with Team Northampton Special Olympics.  Since March of 2013, Equi-librium has provided an instructor, horses, and facilities for spring equestrian team training.  Equi-librium staff and volunteers work side by side with Special Olympics coaches and volunteers to support the riders as they prepare for a competition at the farm.

In 2022, Equi-librium and Team Northampton rider Caroline Kilareski traveled to Florida for the Special Olympics USA Games!

Equi-librium proudly supports our participants whatever their goals may be. Our talented and credentialed riding instructors are able to help riders progress their riding and competition skills if they so desire.

10 Week Session Tuition: $650/Group, Additional fees may apply to competitions

EQUINE YOGA & FITNESS

Equine-Assisted Therapeutic Yoga classes integrate mindfulness practices, spirituality, and yoga positioning facilitated by the motion of our equine friends.  Horses, by nature, are very mindful and present and can help us find our own emotional, spiritual, and physical balance.  Communication through body language and position changes will help the rider feel a deeper relationship with their equine partner, which can lead to better communication and relationships with others.  In addition, this program can help riders of all physical abilities improve core strength and musculoskeletal balance and flexibility.  This program is centered around improving overall fitness, health, and wellbeing.

In 2023, Program Director Christina Coxe piloted a Yoga & Fitness class, which will continue to grow and develop throughout the year. In addition, we offer unmounted yoga classes with the horses, led by yoga instructor Cathy Girandola.

SILVER SADDLES

Geared towards riders aged 55+, Silver Saddles incorporates equine-assisted movement strategies with fitness exercises to achieve desired outcomes such as improved mobility, balance, and strength.  Advanced classes work to develop riding and horsemanship skills while maintaining goals benefitting physical and mental wellbeing.

SUMMER HORSEMANSHIP CAMP

Equi-librium’s Horsemanship Camp offers an inclusive experience providing campers of all ages and abilities the opportunity to ride and learn about HORSES!  Activities include: riding, grooming, groundwork, games, horse care, communication, educational and horse-related activities.  The ratio of camper to staff is four to one. Camp runs five days a week from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Campers must be independent with self-care skills, be able to attend group instruction for a 45-minute period of time, must have independent sitting balance, and must not require more than a leader and one side walker.  If more assistance is needed, an intake assessment will be conducted to determine the suitability of the program to the participant’s needs.

2024 Dates: July 8-12 and August 19-23

Click here to Register

MOBILE MINIATURE HORSE PROGRAM & FARM VISITS

Farm visits offer the opportunity to learn about the basic care, feeding, communication and movement of the horse.  Riding or driving a horse can also be arranged, adding more time for fun on the farm.  Fees are determined by the size of the group and amount of time and activities scheduled for the visit.  We welcome children, adults, corporations, and anyone looking to experience the beauty and fun of a horse-related educational experience.  Events can be planned to host special events, birthday parties, 4-H and Scout groups, corporations, school and community groups, or other small group events.  Special discounts available for 4-H and Scout groups. 

In addition to farm visits, our Mobile Miniature Horse Outreach Program allows us to bring our pint-sized therapy horses out on the road for visits to schools, libraries, community events, and more.

Email christina@equi-librium.org to arrange a visit.