We are committed to serving our special needs communities - children, adults, seniors. and our military and veterans. As riders with special needs, they all benefit from Horses Help's trained staff, horses and accessible facilities. We adapt each program to the goals and motivations, learning styles and life experiences of the client groups and unique individuals we serve.
Freedom Rider has fun flexing during balance work on his horse, June, 2009.
A veteran brings to his or her riding a different view point and skill set than a youngster just discovering life's possibilities. Freedom Riders is a program exclusively for veterans to enjoy horses together. It honors the equine traditions of our armed services, and provides a friendly venue in which to relax, exercise, and connect with horses and other veterans.
We teach riding or driving skills so riders or drivers may enjoy horseback riding or driving as recreation. Through carefully prepared activities, riders and drivers learn to stop and start, turn or negotiate obstacles. They also move through various changes of speed when appropriate. Some riders and drivers participate in grooming and tacking their own horse. Activities include games that assist in balance, motor planning, spatial awareness, relaxation and sensory integration.
A Freedom Rider moment - veteran enjoying building his horse's trust by grooming it before arena work.
How to Participate
Full scholarships enable National Guard, Reserve, Active Duty and Veterans Honorably Discharged to join these small groups of fellow soldiers in horsemanship and horseback riding classes, assisted by fellow veterans, and civilians with a special connection to service members and veterans.
All applications are reviewed for possible participation. Once an application is received, a tour of the facility is scheduled for you. If class space is available, an intake assessment is scheduled.
All riders must have a physician's statement indicating there are no contraindications for participating in an equine program. Transportation assistance is arranged through Phoenix area veterans service organizations for Freedom Riders who request it.
If you are a veteran who wishes to participate in this program, please complete the rider application below.
Freedomriderapprev2010.pdf [297.00 Kb 5/14/2010]
If you need more information, please contact one of the Program Coordinators listed below for assistance, or download this brochure.
Horses Help Freedom Rider Client FAQ_2.pdf [406.00 Kb 12/11/2008]
Freedom Riders at Horses Help meets the guidelines established by the NARHA Horses for Heroes initiative. It is one of more than 42 therapeutic horseback riding programs across the country serving veterans in our local communities.
Community Members
Veterans Benefit Counselors or Veterans Healthcare Providers who would like more information are warmly invited to contact a Program Coordinator for an information packet, to schedule a tour, or to arrange for one of our coordinators to attend an event.
How to Volunteer and Application
We welcome all veterans who wish to volunteer assisting the riders or the horses in this program. Contact our Volunteer Coordinator Robin Miller at robin.m@horseshelp.org for more information on training and available times.
FRApplication20092010.pdf [143.00 Kb 8/14/2009]
How to Donate
Would you like to sponsor veterans with scholarship funding, program improvements, or donate a horse or equipment? Simply click on our "Donate" tabs and designate "Freedom Riders". If you wish to discuss your donation, please contact our Executive Director, Gregg Goodman gregg.g@horseshelp.org.
Program Coordinators
Questions specific to this program please e-mail:
Michelle Weed: michelle.w@horseshelp.org
Our own Ted Newman, cowboy poet, songwriter, performer, and Freedom Riders Program volunteer, from Gilbert has a new DVD/album cut on You Tube honoring our heroes, "Those Who Served So Well". Invitation to listen and view here. Ted has performed for our clients and friends from US Veterans Initiative, and Arizona Heroes to Hometowns.
Ladies! We were glad to see you at our table at the AZ Military Womens Conference, June 26th and 27th, in Phoenix. For more information or to register for this great event, May 21st and 22nd in 2010, visit the website of Veterans First.
Special Thanks to TriWest for this years Funding Committment!
