Stable Influence Charity Programs - Therapeutic Riding

STABLE INFLUENCE Charity Programs offers youth and adults with mental, emotional and/or physical challenges to explore new horizons and focus on new goals unhampered by their limitations through the use of Equine Assisted Activities and Therapeutic Horseback Riding.

Stable Influence Charity Programs provides Equine Assisted Services (EAS) in Phoenix area locations since 1998 in Peoria, New River, Cave Creek and Mesa. We currently have sites in Peoria/Glendale and New River. EAS has been proven to improve balance, coordination, strength, flexibility and self-esteem for individuals challenged with physical, mental and/or emotional challenges. Improvements carry over into their daily lives. Improved social skills, more confidence, more independent mobility and ability to focus are the most seen improvements. Several of our more advanced riders are now volunteering with us and are helping other riders. Our Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor serves an average of 15 participants each week for 45 weeks in ongoing programs. EAS activities are provided for 42 weeks during the school year from mid-September to the end of May. A modified summer program is provided during June, July and August. Over the past 24 years over 550 individuals have participated in our EAS programs. Their challenges include, but are not limited to: cerebral palsy, down syndrome, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, epilepsy, stroke, MS and blindness, traumatic brain injury We have capacity to provide services to 25 clients per week. Our programs are ongoing and some of our clients have been with me personally since 1987, even before Stable Influence was established in 1998. Financial assistance allows our services to continue to be available to our current clients and allows additional clients to participate.

Testimonials

in November of 2016, Cliff came to us to volunteer. Cliff was a Vietnam Vet, age 67, who had suffered a stroke about a year earlier. He got out of his truck and came toward us. He was literally dragging one of his feet in the dirt. He struggled to hold the brush to groom Lulu, our Missouri Foxtrotter mare. But he had a smile on his face the whole time. We had a brief break in our classes and asked him if he would like to ride Lulu. the movement of the horse will duplicate the movement of the human hips at a walk so can help pattern walking gait in someone who has challenges in this area. His grin was ear-to-ear. We carefully helped him up the mounting steps and he gingerly put his leg over Lulu's back. Cliff was quite tense to start as it had been many years since he owned and had ridden horses, but he was game to go. We had a leader for Lulu and 2 young men volunteering as side safety aides. Cliff said "Walk On" to Lulu to indicate he was ready to go. And go we did, but slowly. Lulu knew Cliff needed time to adjust to her very big walk and adjusted to just what Cliff needed. We walked Lulu around our big arena at Tyler Farms in Mesa. As Cliff relaxed, Lulu began to step out and give him more movement. This took about 10 minutes. This was more movement than Cliff had experienced in quite a while and at about 12 minutes he asked to dismount as he was very tired. He dismounted as Lulu stood stock still for him. He got his balance back on his feet and took a deep breath. As he walked toward the nearby seating, we all noticed and celebrated that Cliff was no longer dragging his foot. He was walking in rhythm for the first time in over a year. Lulu got a very special hug and kiss from Cliff that day.