YMCA Leap of Faith:  Equine Assisted Therapy New Participant Forms / Registration Information Volunteering with Leap of Faith Equestrian Weather Hotline:  936-441-9622 ext. 2730   Fall Sessions Regular Fee Ends August 16 - October 10 Aug 17 Regular Fee: Late Fee:   Facility Member $200   Program Member $360   Facility Member $220   Program Member $380 Class Times:  Various times available throughout the week Contact Shannon Calltharp for more information at 936-441-9622.  Leap of Faith is dedicated to serving riders with disabilities. Each horse, therapist and volunteer provides physical, mental and social therapies that help our riders expand their range of their abilities and encourages them to “pick up the reins of life”. Therapeutic riding helps clients with visual and hearing impairments, Attention Deficit Disorder, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Learning Disabilities, Mental Health Concerns, Mental Retardation, Multiple Sclerosis, Spina Bifida, and Traumatic Brain Injuries. Riding a horse can be an enormously liberating experience for people with disabilities. Astride this large and powerful animal, a therapeutic rider experiences a new sense of mobility and control. People who are often very dependent on others find independence, self-confidence, and self-esteem.   Program Goals: Leap of Faith instructors cater lessons plans and activities based on the needs and attributes of each rider. These are planned to accomplish the goals for the following areas: Medical Goals: Muscle Tone Muscle Strength Range of Motion Balance Rhythm Coordination Vaulting Endurance Education: Attention Span Sensory Awareness Spatial Organization Sequential Performance Problem Solving Reasoning Sports & Competition: Reining Stable Management Horse Health Tacking Grooming Recreation: Confidence Motivation Increase Self Esteem   Leap of Faith is a Premiere Accredited Center by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA).    Leap of Faith Program Guidelines Parking Please park your vehicle in the designated parking area.  Siblings Parents are responsible for the supervision of their children at all times.  Please restrict your children from running and playing loudly during lessons as this may distract the horses and lead to potential accidents. Conduct  -- Mistreatment of any person or animal will be deemed as abuse and will not be tolerated.  -- Riders and family members are not permitted in the barn area, pastures or near the pond.  -- For your safety, please do not sit on or climb the wood fences.   -- Smoking is not permitted on the YMCA campus including the Equestrian Center. Riding Attire  -- To ensure safety, riders should be dressed in long durable pants and proper footwear (i.e. sturdy tennis shoes or riding boots).  -- Riders will use safety stirrups and helmets that meet ASTM-SEI certification requirements.  Both are provided by the YMCA.  -- A participant may use their own helmet if it meets ASTM-SEI requirements.  -- Sunscreen may be necessary during the spring and summer sessions. Horses Horses love carrots and apples as treats.  We welcome you to bring these treats to give to the horses after the lesson.  Be sure to check with the instructor first to verify that the horse is not on a special diet.  A volunteer will assist you by providing a bucket for the treats.  Please do not hand feed treats to the horses. Photography Photography is permitted with instructor approval.  Some of our riders and volunteers prefer not to have their pictures taken. Attendance and Tuition  -- Payment for the entire session is due upon enrollment.  -- Please call us at least 24 hours in advance if you will not be able to attend a lesson.  There will be one pre-scheduled make-up day per month to accommodate cancelled lessons.  -- There will be no refunds for missed lessons.  -- In the event that lessons are cancelled due to bad weather, make-up lessons will be scheduled at the end of the session.  -- If you arrive more than 15 minutes late for a lesson, the lesson will be cancelled.  -- If you miss more than two lessons and fail to let us know you are unable to attend, you may be asked to leave the program. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:  Horse experience not required! VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDE: Side Walker: Walk next to the student during the session, assist with balance and reinforcing the instructor’s directions. Prepare Horses and Grounds:  Groom and saddle horses and prepare arena before the start of class. Volunteers are also needed to help with special competition events, office work and coordinating.  For more information on Leap of Faith or volunteering with Leap of Faith, contact Shannon Calltharp, Leap of Faith Coordinator. Return to Top