Contact Information
About the Eagle Mount-Bozeman
Change a life and volunteer for an equine program!
Therapeutic
riding has been used since the early 1950s as a tool for improving the
lives of individuals with disabilities. Individuals with almost any
cognitive and/or physical disability can benefit from our purposeful,
safe and supervised interaction with horses. Because horseback riding
gently and rhythmically moves the rider’s body in a manner similar to a
human gait, riders with disabilities often show improvement in
flexibility, balance and muscle tone. The unique relationship formed
with the horse can lead to increased confidence, patience, self-esteem,
and improved social skills.
Eagle Mount
Therapeutic Riding Center is a Premier Accredited Center and our
instructors are registered and certified through the North American
Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA). Currently, Eagle Mount
offers three types of horse assisted therapy.
* Recreational and Sports Riding are one hour lessons with one to four
other riders similar in either age or ability. Instructors, with
individuals’ goals in mind, create a variety of games and exercises
designed to gain social and therapeutic benefits. Sport riders will
work on improving their horsemanship skills and are taught how to help
groom and saddle their horses.
* Hippotherapy is an intensive one-on-one therapy session with a
licensed physical therapist who utilizes the horse itself as a therapy
tool. The horse influences the client rather than the client
controlling the horse. The goals are to improve posture, balance,
mobility, and function.
* For those individuals who enjoy horses but are unable to ride, we
offer our Miniature Horse Experience. Not only can participants enjoy
the company of our fuzzy little horses, they also learn horsemanship
skills while grooming, leading, and bathing. Our Miniature Horse
Experience also hits the road to visit special events, nursing and
retirement homes, and special education classrooms in Bozeman and
outlying communities.
For
all the above activities, all donated horses are evaluated for
soundness and temperament. Each potential “equine therapist” then
undergoes a 30 day trial and training period before they are accepted
to become part of our staff.
Our Therapeutic Riding
Program would not be possible without the help of hundreds of
volunteers. Our main need is for class volunteers to lead horses and to
“sidewalk”, or spot riders. We ask for a minimum time commitment of
approximately 1 1/2 hours a week for the duration of a 7 to 9 week
session. We offer classes 5 days a week, Monday through Friday, with
morning, afternoon, and evening hours. No previous experience is
needed, as we supply the volunteers with the necessary training. We
also have non-class volunteer opportunities such as barn help, tack
cleaning, and special events. The physical and emotional benefits our
riders and their families receive from our program make volunteering an
extremely rewarding experience.
To volunteer,
participate, or make a donation to support people in achieving a sense
of independence and acceptance through activities with horse