Q:  What is Therapeutic Riding?

A:  Therapeutic riding is the use of a trained horse, along with trained leaders and side walkers, to enable a disadvantaged person to become more self aware, assisting that person in gaining muscular strength, balance and coordination, empowering that person with new found skills and improving their self-esteem.  The use of equine-assisted activities with disadvantaged persons, whether the disability is mental, physical or learning based, is a proven activity that has many beneficial outcomes.  The North American Handicapped Riders Association (NAHRA) is a world renowned organization that is dedicated to provide the best possible methods of therapeutic riding.  Their organization is based in Denver, CO and the standards they set are what all therapeutic riding facilities strive to achieve.  Double Rainbow Farm is firmly committed in reaching those standards and gaining the accreditation that NAHRA has to offer.

Q:  Who is eligible to participate in the programs offered?

A:  Double Rainbow Farm is comprised of an all volunteer staff.  The programs that we offer to clients are available to most anyone that would benefit from therapeutic riding.  Each individual is evaluated by our multi-disciplinary staff to determine the best type program available for that person.  Then, outcome based goals are set and each client is scheduled certain dates and times for their program.  The same volunteers and horse are selected for that client and are used each time for that particular client to ensure continuity, safety and familiarization.

Q:  Is there a cost involved for a client to participate?

A:  As a nonprofit organization, Double Rainbow Farm offers it’s available programs at a very low cost to it’s clients.  The fees for each client are based upon several factors.  Some clients are supported by outside agencies, others are assisted by medical programs.  Depending on what each client needs to best accomplish his or her set goals, the fee structure is set up before a program begins, allowing each clients family to fully understand the program offered.

Q:  How does Double Rainbow Farm support itself?

A:  Our organization is composed of an all-volunteer staff.  A Board of Directors meets at least once a month to set goals, make plans and organize the many activities and programs.  Fund-raising is a large part of our everyday focus and we depend upon donations, events and many different activities to raise the necessary funds to cover our expenses.  Those expenses include feed, boarding, veterinary, insurance, tack, adaptive equipment, office supplies, advertising and utilities to name a few.  A budget is set each year and then approved by the Board of Directors