Equishare USA Recreational Riding Program for Special People with Disabilities

Equishare USA, LLC operates its M.A.R.C. Program out of venues and locations suggested by various organizations involved in Recreation or Community Service projects, and where there is a potential interest from the part of a special segment of the population with certain disabilities to enjoy assisted and/or adapted recreational equestrian activities.

This is accomplished by offering:

• Assisted/Adapted equestrian activities for persons with disabilities under the supervision of M.A.R.C.’s Staff consisting of any or several of NARHA certified instructors, OT/PT’s, Special Education specialists, volunteers and Equishare USA, LLC counselors and position holders.

• An opportunity for special persons to interact with each other, our staff and equines, whether mounted or not, in a fun, relaxed and supportive atmosphere.

• Community service opportunities for responsible adults, college and high school students interested in helping out as volunteers.

• Continuing education and training opportunities for people considering employment in the field.

The M.A.R.C. Program is geared primarily towards children and adolescents who are currently in need of intervention for the treatment of cognitive, emotional, psychological as well as certain physical disabilities. It is aimed at helping build: life skills, self-esteem, team work and self-confidence and at exposing the participants to the healing relationships possible through the interaction with equines. This program does not currently require the clinical therapy approach or specific treatment planning and therefore a therapist’s involvement is not systematically required.

The M.A.R.C. Program includes some of the same activities offered in our Pony Grooming, Riding and Horsemanship Program –see our Power Point presentation on the Summer Camp link-, with the realization that teaching/learning methods must be slightly modified depending upon each individual. During this program, participants will learn about a variety of Horsemanship matters and be able to better understand and appreciate what ponies and horses are all about. Each session starts with a thorough grooming period, then a review followed by "Today’s Lesson", using props, quizzes, related materials and, of course, the ponies/horses themselves. Half the session is dedicated to actual individual riding with Lead and Side Walkers and/or hands-on work with the animals at the slow gaits. By forming small groups according to ability, the M.A.R.C. Program is able to provide a more "custom-fit" experience suitable to various special needs clients. M.A.R.C. does not compromise on quality and constantly updates and refines the program to make it a truly worthwhile and rewarding experience the participants will talk about and look forward to for a very long time.