This therapeutic program will benefit those with autism in our surrounding communities: Butler, Warren, Hamilton, Preble, and Montgomery Counties.                                          *Photo 1: see:http://www.manesolutions.org/

What is Therapeutic Riding? Horseback riding is recognized as one of the most beneficial forms of therapy for individuals with physical and developmental disabilities. Developed in Germany in the late 1960’s, therapeutic riding has been successfully practiced in Europe, Canada and the United States. Personalized goals and objectives at Safe Haven Farms will be set for each rider, as the autism spectrum is wide, and individual needs vary significantly. There will be a highly individualized lesson plan of learning to groom, care for, and ride the horse. Improved physical strength, muscle tone, balance, mobility and hand-eye coordination are some of the goals that can be visibly observed. The more subtle improvements, also widely cited in studies of therapeutic riding, are increased self-esteem, self-control and self-confidence. These goals are reached through a highly individualized lesson plan set up by the instructor, taking into account the rider's physical, emotional, and mental strengths and limitations. The objective is to increase attention, concentration, learning, and verbal skills that are inherent in learning to ride successfully. In addition, it is hoped that a special bond with the horse will lead to improved social and communication skills, such as making new friends.

For us to offer this Therapeutic Riding Program we first need to renovate the large (53 ft x 175 ft) horse barn so that we can install an indoor riding arena. We recently constructed a tack room and a riding arena viewing room in the barn in anticipation of starting up this program. Construction of the indoor arena (53’ x 85’) means that a number of structures must be removed to open up the floor space: 10 horse/animal stalls, an old office, and storage rooms. In addition, the current asphalt floor needs to be removed and graded. Then a base of compacted crushed stone needs to be installed and leveled to allow for proper drainage, and then topped with river sand.   We also need to construct a mounting area and ramp and mounting platform that will allow our riders to mount and dismount with assistance. We need to add lighting, improve the ventilation, and install fencing and gates.  The fronts of the current stalls for the horses need to be replaced, after years of use by the previous owners. We are in need bridles, saddles, etc. that are suitable for youth and adults, and equipment to care for the arenas and the horses. When weather permits, we also want to construct an outdoor arena (80’ x 100’) so that we can offer an outdoor riding experience for our participants. We need to install a wash area for the horses and an area to store manure until it can be transported to the horticulture area for composting and use in the gardens and greenhouses.

The Impact 100 grant will enable us to begin offering this program, however we are still in need of addition of additional funds that are related to this program.

1. We are in need of a large pole barn to house the hay and farm equipment. While we can store hay in our existing barn, we have been advised that we should have a separate large hay barn due to fire risk and dust issues with the horses, riders and staff.We would like to construct a large enough barn (24’ x 48’) so that we can have a place to store a large tractor and other farm equipment as well as hay that is needed to maintain the horses.

2. Construction inside the barn will require that we demolish a tool and work room, some small animal stalls, and eliminate an area that was used to store and repair farm equipment, so that we have the space for an indoor riding arena. Hence our need to construct replacement structures outside the barn is critical. We have a large attached building 45 ft x 53 on the north side of the barn that is currently not being used that can be used to construct a tool room, a work room, create an area to maintain and repair farm equipment, and also has space to house small animals.

3. We currently have a small compact tractor which we now realize is way undersized for its current demands on the farm.With even greater demands of tractor use such as moving large round hay bales, working the riding arena each day etc. the increased strain on our current tractor will be a real concern. We have already had our compact tractor in the shop for repairs several times during the past year. We need to seek funds to help us obtain a much larger tractor for the proper care of the farm. In addition we also need some farm implements that can attach to this tractor.

4. While we may be able to have some horses donated to the farm, our first goal should be to obtain horses that are most suitable for our farmers. Having some funds available to purchase horses would greatly increase our chances of obtaining older horses that are most suitable for youth and adults with autism. 

Renovation Plans for  the existing building that is attached to the barn:

Please also see " Our wish List" in the menu on the left for specific items that we need to obtain for Safe Haven Farms.

If you or someone you know is interested in helping us obtain the funds , or donate equipment so that we can start up this program please contact Safe Haven Farms: dennis.rogers@safehavenfarms.