HorsePower!

Formerly known as Handi-Riders, our recent program expansion has generated our new name.  We believe in the Power of the Horse that changes human lives.  Gaining Independence. Enhancing Personal Well-Being.

Mission Statement: Equestrian programs/therapies for individuals with physical, emotional, and/or cognitive challenges in a quest for personal independence, accomplishment, and self pride.

NEWS and NOTES:

• Do you love pizza and HorsePower? The Pizza Ranch on 41st Street in Sioux Falls is doing a fundraiser for HorsePower this Monday, the 20th of May! A portion of the sales from 5-7 pm will be donated to HorsePower! Please come on in and get a great supper while helping HorsePower, &/or volunteer! If you are able to volunteer for the fundraiser, please contact Kaia to get set up: (605)360-2812.

• Summer Session (May 27, 2013 - August 2, 2013) paperwork for riders is due April 27th! Please return your paperwork on time, as slots are filled quickly, and submitting paperwork late may result in not being able to ride! Paperwork can be found under the “Forms/Brochures/Newsletters” tab above.

• Movin’ On Annual Benefit Trail Ride will be June 22, 2013. Please click on the “Movin’ On Annual Trail Ride” tab above for more info!     

• New on our Donations page – you can securely donate on line via PayPal! 

• View KELOland story on HorsePower:  http://www.keloland.com/videoarchive/index.cfm?VideoFile=111006eyehorsetherapy

Welcome to HorsePower 

HorsePower is a designed therapy, but the effect on our riders is pure magic.  We are treated to a most wonderful gift.  The joy of our riders is totally contagious.  Amazing things happen right before our eyes.  Rider’s stiff legs seem to melt into the warm sides of horses.  Cramped muscles relax and what is rigid becomes supple. Slumped postures morph into erect backbones, proudly showing off riding skills.  Children who have never spoken become verbal.  Souls are touched.

This is our reward, and the only pay our utterly amazing volunteers get for their commitment of time and love.  This is the reason we seek just the right horses, and give them the best feed and care we can, because of the joy and freedom they give unconditionally to our riders.

 We offer 3 traditional therapies (listed below) at this time, as well as Konomi:

In Hippotherapy – Licensed Occupational or Physical Therapists use the various rhythms and propulsions of the therapy horses’ natural three-dimensional movement to enhance therapy or rehabilitation goals for clients.  Clients can be stimulated with a variety of riding positions, far beyond the traditional forward facing sitting position of standard horsemanship.  Sessions are a one-on-one Therapist-to-Client ratio, with at least two or more additional volunteers and/or staff to aid the therapist.

In Therapeutic Riding – Therapy goals are established by staff for each riding client.  Lessons are designed to achieve these therapy goals while clients experience personal growth exercising skills riding a horse—usually with leaders and sidewalkers.  Goals may include physical, emotional, or cognitive progression.  Each of these targeted needs demonstrate growth during the sessions as clients bond with their horses.

Ground Work Only – Although physical limitations may keep some clients from riding, they still can participate in HorsePower.  The act of grooming and bonding with a horse can provide physical, emotional and cognitive stimulation.  These clients are supervised and led through activities by staff and volunteers.

Year after year, we hear the comment, “My loved one has never experienced such growth in any other therapy”.  We are blessed.

Ribbon Cutting Day

Thanks to all our friends, supporters, volunteers, riders, therapists, current and former staff and families who came out in the fall of 2011 to our very special Handi-Rider/HorsePower ribbon cutting and new name party.  This event was planned to simply say thank you to all who have made dreams come true.  It was a magical day with clear blue sky, a gentle breeze, mid-70′s; fiddle and mandolin music hanging in the crisp fall air amidst the jingle of the harness on the teams of horses transporting our crowds. Popcorn, cotton candy, hog roast and beans, all so festive in the joy filled air.  Thanks so much to all our professional horsemen and women who added their skill demos to our program titled “Experience the Power of the Horse”.  They beautifully showcased how horses have the power to change our lives including demonstrations of roping, mounted shooting, wagon hitches, jumping and dressage, as well as our own riders displaying their skills.  We had fellowship and fun, food and most importantly: the unveiling of our new name!  The Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce was on hand to present an official ribbon cutting ceremony to hallmark this remarkable time in the history of Handi-Riders, now HorsePower!

Sioux Empire United Way is proud to partner with 97 unique programs to meet the needs of the Sioux Empire. HorsePower is so honored to announce that we are a United Way Partner Agency! Thank you United Way for believing in us!

Some HorsePower History!

2010 was a milestone for the (then) Handi-Riders program in so many ways;  setting the stage for the 2011 expansion of the mission, and new name. 

2010 was the 25th anniversary of opening our program to the Sioux Empire.  2010 was the year that we finally achieved our greatest dream – to heat and insulate our riding facility so we could expand our small summer program to a year-round fully functioning therapeutic riding facility, with scholarship funding available. 2010 was the year we truly OPENED NEW DOORS of opportunity. 

Our most heartfelt thank you to all who made this possible.  Our long awaited miracle has been due to the generosity of the people of the great Sioux Empire.  You are making a difference in lives, and we are so proud to be a part of this wonderful community of caring people.

Handi-Riders Board of Directors and Staff carry on the dream of early founders, and especially the vision and leadership of a very special Hartford family who dedicated their lives to see this dream become reality.  It is impossible to count the hours of sacrifice of the family of Sally Griggs, including Beckie Joe Petterson, Mandy Jo Healy, and Kris Kalb.