Not Just A Pony Ride HETRA

What makes a good horseman or woman?  It’s not just riding! It’s learning all types of things about horses in different ways to make a well rounded experience.  Whether it’s too hot, our horse is off or there are medical changes in our participant, the reality is sometimes we can’t always ride.  In order to keep our participants engaged and continuing their progress we need to come up with an alternative. It’s not that complicated, what tasks do we do everyday with our horses that we could teach our participants? With the proper tools, all instructors and therapists should be empowered to turn everyday tasks into lesson plans when we need a plan B. 

Get the horse communication curriculum FREE here:  https://notjustaponyride.ck.page/d083633d85

Patreon subscription for free access to additional ground programming curriculum: https://www.patreon.com/notjustaponyride

Energize and Mobilize Exercise Series:  https://www.patreon.com/notjustaponyride/shop

Learn more about the Equicizer we use often for alternative programming here: https://equicizer.com/

This episode is proudly sponsored by Stable Moments:  EAL for Complex Trauma. https://www.stablemoments.com/

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Emily Dillard has the best of both worlds.  She is a School Psychologist and the Dean of Students at Explorer Academy, a unique school that serves those in special education.  She is also a PATH Intl. Certified Instructor and associate program director for Bison Strides, an equine-assisted services program in Fargo, ND.  Her worlds collided in a very special offering in which she organized the core competencies of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and overlayed them with equine assisted learning.  SEL can be a very difficult subject to engage students in, but Emily has found the horses make it motivating and fun for the kids to learn. Listen to hear how she organized the program including staffing logistics, liability, preparation and funding for the program. 

Learn more about Bison Strides:  https://www.bisonstrides.org/

This episode is proudly sponsored by Stable Moments:  EAL for Complex Trauma. https://www.stablemoments.com/

Follow us on social and plug in here:  https://notjustaponyride.my.canva.site/linkinbio

We all have a Steady Eddy in our barn. We love them and hate to retire them, but what happens when we need to? Shelby is here to talk to us about options and how to plan for success when we retire a herd member.

Get more on Equine Strategic Planning with Shelby’s on-demand webinar:  https://vimeo.com/ondemand/equinestrategicplanning

This episode is proudly sponsored by Teaching Aids for EAS. Use code “HETRA” for 10% off your order now through May 10, 2024.  https://teachingaidsforeas.com/

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We are adding tools to our instructor toolbox today with another installation of Understanding Diagnoses. This episode is a little different, we aren’t going to talk about a specific diagnosis but rather something that we see most commonly as part of neurodivergent diagnoses.  Stimming. Stimming is short hand for “self-stimulating” – it’s a natural and instinctive behavior that people engage in to regulate their sensory experience. Things like hand flapping, rocking, repetitive vocalizations.  Stimming is a normal thing, but what happens when it interferes with our ability to participate safely in mounted sessions? I’m hoping this episode will help normalize stimming and help folks to understand exactly what it is and when it should or shouldn’t be addressed.

Get a whole lot more tools for your toolbox with this on-demand webinar:  Understanding Autism in EAS: Effective Strategies for Success. Click here:  

This episode is proudly sponsored by Teaching Aids for EAS. Use code “HETRA” for 10% off your order now through May 10, 2024.  https://teachingaidsforeas.com/

Follow us on social and plug in here:  https://notjustaponyride.my.canva.site/linkinbio

Barns are not meant to look like the Taj Mahal, but how the public perceives our place of business is important!  We should be advocating for our horses safety and mental health while also putting our best foot forward.  Listen to hear important things to consider when hosting any event or tour including, helpful signage, managing horse vices and unexpected safety tips.  Any person in your barn could be a potential donor, volunteer, staff member or participant, so being conscious of [what seems like minor] things is important! 

Learn more about our Blue Jeans and Dreams event here:  https://hetra.org/events/2024-blue-jeans-dreams.html

This episode is proudly sponsored by Teaching Aids for EAS. Use code “HETRA” for 10% off your order now through May 10, 2024.  https://teachingaidsforeas.com/

Follow us on social and plug in here:  https://notjustaponyride.my.canva.site/linkinbio

When grief isn't expressed or addressed, it can lead to prolonged states of depression, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, and chronic health issues. It can also strain relationships, impair work performance, and diminish our overall quality of life.   On this episode, Sandy Lemen, Director of Programming at The Collective for Hope, is here to explain how we can help.  Anyone can provide support in this arena and it’s her hope that everyone will. Showing up and holding space without judgement, without making it about us, without "silver linings"  – with validation and companionship instead - can go a very long way.  Listen to hear how we have created a program at HETRA, in partnership with our OTD Student JJ Simons, to help fill the gap for grief support in our community with the healing help of horses.  

Find a grief support program near you at the National Alliance for Children’s Grief:  https://nacg.org/

Learn more about The Collective for Hope here:  https://thecollectiveforhope.org/

This episode is proudly sponsored by Teaching Aids for EAS. Use code “HETRA” for 10% off your order now through May 10, 2024.  https://teachingaidsforeas.com/

Follow us on social and plug in here:  https://notjustaponyride.my.canva.site/linkinbio