Hippotherapy Program
The SaddleUp! Foundations’ Hippotherapy program offers equine interaction to students who are disabled in the Denver metro area. Hippotherapy is a term used to describe therapy on horseback - using the movement of a horse as part of a treatment strategy for a patient affected with any number of physical and/or cognitive disabilities. The natural movements of the horse helps individuals with disabilities increase their functional abilities and achieve greater independence. The horse's movement translates through the body, strengthening various muscles. Horses are used because the pelvis of a horse moves in the same way as a human pelvis. This creates a movement pattern similar to human walking. The horse also provides sensory input that promotes increased motor function.
Therapeutic Riding Program
The SaddleUp! Foundation Therapeutic riding program is for students with physical or cognitive disabilities who would like to learn horsemanship and riding skills. This class combines SaddleUp! Introduction to Horses and Riding at a pace appropriate for each individual student. This class provides hands on learning and experience while partnering with horses.
I Introduction to Horses
This class is an introduction to the world of horses designed for both children and adults. Students learn about the parts of the horse, breeds, colors, markings, and other interesting facts. This class offers hands-on learning experiences so students can practice grooming and tacking up, as well as safe mounting and dismounting. Each student will also receive a comprehensive manual to guide them through their equine education. This class has a strong emphasis on safety.
II Introduction to Riding
This class provides an introduction to the basics of horseback riding in both English and Western disciplines. Students learn a solid and balanced riding seat and gain comfort with the basic aids for directing the horse through its gaits. In order to meet the special needs of each rider, class size is limited.
Riding Lessons
For experienced riders looking to improve their skills, SaddleUp! offers instruction designed to meet the specific needs of every student. Our individualized approach helps develop solid skills and confidence for the experienced rider in both English and Western disciplines.
Horse Care
This class provides information about the basics of taking care of a horse. This is essential information for new horse owners and those who want to provide the best care for the horses around them. Students will learn about diet and nutrition, exercise requirements, stabling needs, general first aid, common illnesses and lameness, equipment and much, much more!
Roundpen and Groundwork
You can’t ride a horse unless you gain its respect - and respect is earned on the ground and in the roundpen. This session will demonstrate roundpen behaviors, common mistakes to avoid, and will teach students to work as a team with the horse. With practice and consistency, these exercises will help students gain and maintain the respect and attention they deserve, no matter what their level of experience.
SaddleUp! Little Fillies and Colts Too! Finishing School
Would your child rather run wild than sit down for dinner? Is their unbridled energy sometimes difficult to deal with? Does their bedroom resemble a barnyard?
Then rope them into taking part in our Little Fillies and Colts Too! Finishing School.
SaddleUp! Foundation now offers a new breed of etiquette classes for the generation raised on Bart Simpson and Britney Spears. Etiquette instructor, Shery McDonald-Galbreath (aka Ms. Bear), will corral your kids and teach them a courteous curriculum. She will guide your kids through everything from the right way to answering the phone, to putting their finger on the right fork, to figuring out just which way their bread is buttered.
Plus, for those pre-teen and teenage Fillies and Colts, who are well on their way to becoming thoroughbreds, we offer insight into how to look and feel their best in lifeís many different arenas.
We know, at times, kids will be in for a rough ride. Sometimes a bully may make it hard to get back in the saddle, or peer pressure could be telling your kids to ride in the wrong direction. That’s why Ms. Bear is there, offering insight and understanding, and teaching the showmanship skills kids need to gallop towards good decisions.
Research shows children who learn socially appropriate ways to behave are mentally happier, more attentive, have more friends, and can even perform better in school. That’s why our curriculum stresses social skills and common courtesy. We teach kids polite ways to deal with life’s everyday problems and we help them understand why parents sometimes have to tighten the reins.
Quite simply, manners matter! and The Little Fillies and Colts Too! Finishing School offers a little class to ensure that your kids are always comfortable sitting at the grown-ups stable, erhhh, ahhhh, we mean table!
Summer Clinics:
Examples of topics covered in clinics
*Horse Confirmation - What to look for, judge our horses
*Saddle Fitting - How to choose the correct tack for your horse
*English Discipline - English riding, equipment, standards, equitation, show classes
*Western Discipline - Western riding, equipment, standards, equitation, show classes
*Gymkhanas - Western show events
*Veterinarian Care - How to care for your horse, diet, wound treatment, medication and supplements
*Foaling Clinic - Videos on a foaling, birthing process, how to imprint a young horse (field trip to breeding facility in Aurora)
Dates, Times and Details
*Clinics will be offered on the following dates. Tuesday's will be designed for our beginner or younger students, while the older and more advanced students will meet on Thursday's. Check with Ms. Haley or Ms. Bear to see which clinic would be recommend for your child.
*Each clinic will start at 10am and run until 3pm. We ask that each student bring their own lunch as we will have a picnic lunch together during the day.
*Each clinic will be offered on a first come first serve basis, with a maximum of 6 students per day, which will offer more individualized attention.
*Each clinic will include a mounted group lesson.
June 17th & 19th (Horse Confirmation)
June 24th, and 26th (Saddle Fitting)
July 8th & 10th (English Discipline)
July 15th & 17th (Western Discipline)
July 22nd & 24th (Gymkhanas)
July 29th & 31st (Veterinarian Care)
(Foaling Clinic date has yet to be determined)
Cost of Clinics
Each clinic will cost $125 per day, if you are interested in purchasing 2 or 3 clinics the cost will be reduced to $120 per day, if you are interested in purchasing 4 or more clinics the cost will be reduced to $115 per day.
Transportation
Ms. Bear's mother is going to help out with "The Shuttle with Grandma Mac" and offer transpiration out to Parker. She will meet participants at the Cherry Hills Village Police Department at 9am and will return the students at the same location at 4pm. There will be a $25 fee per student per day if you would like to take advantage of this shuttle. This will be offered on a first come first serve basis with a maximum of 4 students per shuttle.
We will still be offering regular riding lessons throughout the summer if you would rather have your child in private riding lessons rather than our group clinics.
We hope you are interested in having your child join us for our fun summer activities, we are looking forward to having a really exciting summer at the SaddleUp! Foundation Ranch. Please give Ms. Haley a call on the SaddleUp! line 303-788-1666 to check on availability for clinics and/or transportation.
